InBox: Pea soup in Florida

Lorraine Colson Bloomquist visits the Scandinavian Center Church and the newly installed Swedish priest. 

  • Hannah is a fine musician who sings and plays piano and guitar for both Norwegian and Swedish services at the Scandinavian Center in Ft. Lauderdale and is preparing now for university studies in Sweden.

  • I just returned from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida where I attended a Sunday service at the Scandinavian Center. Then I had the privilege to meet the recently installed Pastor Louise Linder at the great event, the annual Pea Soup and Pancake Dinner in the her lovely home, which the Swedish church leases. I attended the same event last year with priests Olof and Marie Olsson. There were about 50 guests at the Ärtsoppa and Pannkakstårta. The home is in a gated community and has a swimming pool and outdoor patio beside the water. Pastor Louise greeted us at the entrance and beside the pool, pausing for grace before we had our pea soup — we all sang a hearty “Alleluia.” Several members helped prepare the delicious meal and it was a delightful evening with a happy group.

  • Authoring Lorraine and Pastor Louise.

  • By Lorraine Colson Bloomquist Vasa member and Board member of Rhode Island Swedish Heritage Association

  • The Scandinavian Center Chapel.

  • For more info on the Swedish Church in Florida, see www.svenskakyrkan.se/florida

  • Church coordinator Petra Graeff with Louise's daughter Hannah in the kitchen. Photo by Lorraine Colson Bloomquist