The Swedish evangelist Lena Bergström has been awarded the environmental prize of God Jord, a Christian organisation, for her work on the climate crisis and for building bridges between the church and the wider environmental movement. The prize carries 5,000 Swedish kronor, which Bergström intends to pass on to a climate-related cause. “I was very happy. It was really surprising, and I felt encouraged,” she told the newspaper Sändaren.
In its citation, God Jord highlighted her persistent work in drawing attention to the climate crisis, her ability to convey hope in the struggle for the whole of creation, and the way she builds bridges between the church and the broad environmental movement. Bergström said that last point was the part of the citation that meant most to her. She has played a central role in Equmeniakyrkan’s climate emergency work, and the organisation also noted her participation in demonstrations and her lecturing on the responsibility of caring for creation.
Bergström stressed that what sustains her is the support of Equmeniakyrkan and of the people who share her commitment. “I wouldn’t be able to keep this up if there weren’t people alongside me,” she said. She has not yet decided where the 5,000 kronor will go, though she is clear that it will be directed toward climate engagement.
(Originally published in Swedish. Summary translated by CC / Connexion.)
Source: Equmeniakyrkan / Sändaren — sandaren.se
