Q & A with Carina Hannus

Up close with the Swedish Church, California's new assistant in San Francisco, Carina Hannus. 

  • Carina Hannus, assistant at the Swedish Church in San Francisco, California, with the California pastor Staffan Simonsson.

  • Carina Hannus is the new assistant at the Swedish Church in San Francisco since Dec. 1, 2010.

  • Carina Hannus with the California pastor Staffan Simonsson.

  • Why did you apply for this job?
    "I had this thought years ago that I at some point in my life would want to work abroad, then I saw this position being advertised and I sent in my application … and that’s that."

  • What’s your background and your education? Where in Sweden are you from?

    "I used to work as a nurse and a midwife, and then in 2004, I was ordained a deacon in the Swedish Church. I come from Uppsala, but my last job was in Östervåla-Harbo parish, which is about seven miles northwest from Uppsala."

  • Tell me about your family.
    "My family consists of my two girls, who are 21 and 23 years old respectively, as well as all my friends. I have a lot of interests: creative activities, dance and music, and meeting people. Well, really anything that makes life good and worth living!"

  • What’s your impression of San Francisco so far?

    "There’s a lot to understand, both when it comes to my job and my private life, things that are new to me. So I take one day at a time. I think San Francisco is an amazing city with a lot to offer. I meet friendly, welcoming and helpful people almost every day."

  • What’s best about your job?

    "The flexibility and all the meetings with all sorts of people. The opportunity to be able to share everything―big and small, simple and difficult―in life."

  • What are your visions for your job?
    "At the moment it is all about structure and organization. After that I hope it’s possible to meet as many Swedes as possible in the Bay Area and to be able to be of support to them. 'What can I do for you?' That’s the motto I have set for myself for this job."

  • What’s different about working here versus working in Sweden?
    "Even in Sweden, there are differences from one parish to another. But of course the language is a big difference and the fact that physical distances are so much greater here, so I have to think differently. Another big difference is that here I am, for the most part, the only employed Swede."

  • What’s it like to work at the Norwegian Church?

    "I have some amazing colleagues in the Norwegian staff, and I love their waffles!"

  • Do you have any new ideas you’d like to try?

    "Sure, there are some things that I’m thinking about, but as I said: I have to take one day at a time. First we are reviving the Småbarnsträffarna each Wednesday at 10 a.m. and the au-pair meetings every 4th Sunday of the month at 4 p.m. I am open for suggestions and I want to hear about different needs in the parish."

  • What are your main assignments?
    
"Being the only Swede, it’s everything really. Obviously children, families and young people are especially dear to my heart, since my background is that of a midwife. The second Sunday, I’ll be around for the Swedish service, and on Wednesdays I’ll be responsible for the waffles at the church. I am also available for confidential conversations of support, and will also be making home visits, sick visits and prison visits. I will also cooperate with the consulate. I won’t be lacking things to do!"

  • For more information on the Swedish church in San Francisco, see Svenska Kyrkan San Francisco (Working out of the Norwegian Seamen's church) or, in California: Svenska Kyrkan Los Angeles