May 18, 2022

Icelandic Adventist Youth Celebrate Being Together Again

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Iceland may be a small nation, both in size and population, but the community is as close-knit as their beautiful sweaters! The COVID-19 pandemic and the cold winter months had brought some loneliness and isolation. It was a feeling that got even stronger after the situation forced youth leaders to postpone the traditional annual ski trip weekend for young adults.

Finally, on April 8, 2022, a group of 25 young adults and children from several Seventh-day Adventist churches across Iceland traveled to the northeastern region of the country to spend the weekend together and enjoy some quality time. The guest speaker was Dejan Stojkovic, youth ministry director for the Trans-European Division (TED).

The venue for the weekend was the charming and historic Gamli Lundur, home of the Akureyri Seventh-day Adventist Church. The building was packed to capacity for Saturday (Sabbath) worship. Those attending the service enjoyed happy faces, inspiring songs, and authentic fellowship. Sabbath afternoon was spent exploring the snow-covered forest followed by an evening games session.

“Enjoying together this gorgeous island that we call home, especially after the COVID-19 enforced isolation, was a balm for the soul,” Karli Alyn Fredrickson, the event organizer (not pictured), said. [Photo: Karli Alyn Fredrickson / CC BY 4.0]

On Sunday, it was time to hit the slopes. “Skiing and snowboarding in the warm spring sunshine was a delight,” Karli Alyn Fredrickson, the event organizer, said. After a morning worship and spending time skiing and snowboarding, the group visited the local pool to swim and soak in the hot tubs, and finished the day sharing a meal.

“It was a wonderful time to catch up with old friends and build new friendships too!” Fredrickson said. “Enjoying together this gorgeous island that we call home, especially after the COVID-19 enforced isolation, was a balm for the soul.

“Thank you everyone who made it possible, and all who came and participated. We look forward to doing it again next year!”

Stojkovic said that for him, it was truly a privilege to meet “the amazing, loving, and full-of-energy young people of Iceland” and spend a few days together. “But even more amazing was to see their love for God and for each other. Please keep Iceland and the young people across the TED in your prayers. Remember especially Karli and the team and the fantastic job they do,” he said.

The original version of this story was posted on the Trans-European Division news site.

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