Happy New Year 2026!
With gratitude for the year that has passed and for all the encounters we have shared, we enter the new year together. We pray that 2026 will be a year filled with hope, security, and blessing.
A warm welcome to share 2026 with us – through worship services, conversations, music, children’s and family life, celebrations, and everyday life.
A blessed and joyful New Year!
Church opening hours from Saturday January 10:
The church reopens after a short Christmas break on Saturday January 10.
Welcome to the café, shop, worship services, and regular activities.
Opening hours from January 10:
Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Sundays: Worship service at 11:00 am (Note – in January on the 11th, 18th, and 25th).
Café and shop: 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm
First Sunday after Epiphany
Sunday January 11 at 11:00 am
Theme: The Baptism of Jesus
Lay-led service
Gunnar Wenehult
Daniel Andersson – musician
Second Sunday after Epiphany
Sunday January 18 at 11:00 am
Theme: Source of Life
Worship service with Holy Communion
Vicar Katja Lin
Staffan Thuringer – musician
Third Sunday after Epiphany
Sunday January 25 at 11:00 am
Theme: Jesus Creates Faith
Lay-led service
Gunnar Wenehult
Michael Spencer – musician
Church coffee is served after every service!
Welcome!
On 18 December 2025, the Church Council in Sweden decided to investigate the possibility for our parish in Melbourne to find new premises. In order to understand what this decision entails and what it means for the parish, an open information meeting was held in the church on 29 December, attended by Rickard Jönsson from the Church of Sweden Abroad (SKUT).
The parish showed great interest in participating in the meeting, and more than 70 people were present. The chair of the Church Council and the Parish Council in Australia, Mats Marklund, opened the meeting and welcomed everyone.
The meeting was held in English, as this had been requested by some parish members. Anyone who wished was able to sign up to ask questions.
Rickard Jönsson is the head of the part of the Church of Sweden that is responsible for all churches abroad, i.e. the Church of Sweden Abroad (SKUT). Rickard began by explaining how the organization is structured in Sweden and how decisions are made. He also explained why the decision had been made and what it means. He emphasized that the decision made by the Church Council in 2019—to no longer own any properties abroad—still applies. This decision also includes the Church of Sweden in Australia and the property in Melbourne. The meeting was then opened for questions from the parish.
Below we describe some of the questions that were asked and some of the information that was provided.
Why is this decision being made?
SKUT does not have the financial means to pay for and manage such a large and valuable building as Toorak House in Melbourne. There is not yet any decision from the Church Council on whether to sell or retain the property. The decision is that the Secretary General is to present alternatives to the Church Council on how a move to new premises could be carried out, based on the needs and requirements of the parish.
What does the decision mean?
It is a two-step process. The Church Council wants the parish to continue to grow and develop, but in new premises. The first step is to investigate whether it is possible to find equivalent premises where the parish can have its home. This first step involves describing what needs the parish has for its activities and what the premises need to be like—preferably together with another congregation, for example in an Anglican church. This is already happening for other Swedish parishes in several parts of the world.
Only when and if the parish has found a new suitable location can Toorak House be sold. Rickard Jönsson emphasized that the Church Council does not believe that the parish’s survival is tied to a specific building, but that it is the people who are important in the parish.
What happens if there is no suitable premises, or if it becomes just as expensive as continuing operations at Toorak House?
In that case, the Church of Sweden in Australia, together with SKUT, will look at what alternatives are available. If the parish is able to finance the ownership of Toorak House independently, that is an acceptable option for SKUT. Regardless, SKUT will only finance staff costs. Given the parish’s current financial situation, this is not possible.
Rome and Paris are retained
The Church of Sweden is keen to maintain its own building in Rome, the Eternal City, and close to the Vatican. In Paris, the reason is that the church building was constructed using Swedish building materials that were transported there. Sweden and France have long-standing cultural and political ties. France has also become even more important now that Sweden has joined NATO.
What happens first?
The parish must review what needs it has in order to run all its various activities, now and in the future. Together with SKUT’s property department, a search will then be conducted for a suitable new home, both among other churches and in commercial premises.
Sydney
The parish in Sydney has been dormant since 2017; before that, there was a priest in place for 16 years. Many Swedes live in Sydney, and many Swedes travel there, so there is a need. It has never been an option for the Church Council in Sweden to close down operations in Sydney. There has been no prioritization between Melbourne and Sydney: the parish includes both.
There were many strong and upset emotions at the meeting. The decision to relocate the parish represents a major change for us. During this time, it is important that we help one another to cope and to engage as a parish in the process of change. We draw strength from each other and from God, and we pray that in the end the solution will be as good as possible. Life is constant change.
Chairman Mats Marklund concluded the meeting by thanking everyone for their attendance.
Facts:
Here are the minutes from the Church Council’s meeting on 18 December 2025.
The matter description and decision from the minutes read as follows:
§ 100 KS 2025-1331
Continued direction for properties in Australia and Belgium
Decision:
The Church Council decided, with regard to the property in Melbourne, to instruct the Secretary General to return to the Church Council with proposals for the acquisition of new premises—primarily through ecumenical cooperation—and that the assignment is to be carried out in close collaboration and ongoing dialogue with the parish of the Church of Sweden in Australia.
Matter description:
The Church Council received a presentation of proposed decisions regarding the future direction for the properties in Melbourne and Brussels. The proposals are based on the investigations decided by the Church Council on 10–11 May 2023 (§ 37) concerning certain properties and staff residences owned abroad by the Church of Sweden as a religious body and by the Foundation for the Church of Sweden Abroad, as well as the policy decision that overseas parishes should be offered the opportunity to purchase the properties in which they celebrate worship and conduct activities.
Furthermore, through its facilities and property policy, the Church Council has decided that the Church of Sweden as a religious body shall not own properties abroad. The Church Council’s Advisory Council for the Church of Sweden Abroad, at its meeting on 25 August (§ 39), decided to submit a recommendation regarding the future direction for the property in Melbourne and the property in Brussels. The affected parishes submitted statements during the preparatory process. The Church Council discussed the proposal and made an amendment to the decision regarding the property in Melbourne.
Examples of what SKUT pays for:
· Salary for the vicar/priest in Melbourne.
· Salary for an assistant/educator in Melbourne.
· Staff housing for the vicar and for the assistant in Melbourne.
· Accommodation for volunteers in Melbourne.
· Salary for the priest in Sydney.
· Staff housing for the priest in Sydney (from 2026).
· Travel to and from conferences/training.
· External auditor, 50 percent.
· Musician, 4 hours per week (from 2026).
· Travel within the parish of the Church of Sweden in Australia (Sydney, Perth, Brisbane, Canberra, and Auckland).
· Renovation and maintenance of Toorak House (of a larger and more costly nature, often preventive, requiring a decision by SKUT).
Examples of what the parish in Australia pays for:
· Salary for the housekeeper.
· Salary for the finance officer.
· Salary for cleaning staff.
· External auditor, 50 percent.
· Musicians and choir leaders, paid hourly.
· Insurance for the property.
· Insurance for the activities.
· Ongoing supervision of the building and garden, as well as repairs resulting from everyday wear and tear of operations (fire protection, pest inspections, plumber, electrician, arborist, etc.).
· All consumption of water, electricity, and gas.
· All consumable supplies used by the parish.
Facts: How the Church of Sweden is organized
The Church Assembly is like the parliament; it appoints the Church Council. The Church Council is like the government and makes the decisions. The Secretary General works on the mandate of the Church Council and must implement the Council’s decisions. One of the departments under the Secretary General is SKUT. Rickard Jönsson is the head of this unit. He is a civil servant and not politically appointed. His task is to implement the Church Council’s decisions on behalf of the Secretary General.
Read more about the Church Council here.
Saturday January 31 at 5:00 pm is the first barbecue evening of the year.
A barbecue plate will be served, along with entertainment featuring song and music by Mats Björklund. There will also be a raffle and trivia. The evening concludes with a short devotion at approximately 7:30 pm.
Cost:
Member: $26
Non-member: $31
Children 5–12 years: $10
Children 0–4 years: Free (no booking required)
Online booking for the barbecue evening must be made no later than 29 January via Trybooking here.
You can also book and pay in the church café.
Please remember to book by the final booking date so the kitchen can plan food quantities. Notify the kitchen if you require a vegetarian/vegan option or have food allergies by emailing melbourne@svenskakyrkan.se
Hello everyone!!
After a spring in Uppsala, a summer in the USA, and an autumn in Stockholm, it is finally time for me to come back!
See you at the beginning of January – I can’t wait!
Warm regards,
Julia
Soon, soon I will be back in Melbourne!
It has now been over 20 years since I moved back to Skåne, but I try to return for visits from time to time. The last time I visited and volunteered with you was during the southern hemisphere summer of 2022–2023.
I live in a small house in the countryside outside Eslöv with my partner, our cat, and our chickens. For just over two years I have worked as a librarian at Kristianstad University.
I’m really looking forward to coming “home” to Toorak again and seeing you all!
Greetings,
Åsa
New Membership Year 2026
It is now time to renew your membership in the Swedish Church in Melbourne for the entire year of 2026 – or to become a member for the first time.
As a member, you help carry our congregation.
You make it possible for us to continue offering worship services, children’s and youth activities, cultural events, volunteer efforts, community gatherings, and support for people in both joy and difficulty.
Membership Fees 2026
Student: $45
Pensioner: $60
Single: $80
Pensioner couple: $85
Family: $95
How to become a member or renew your membership
It is easy to support our work:
Read more and become a member via our website – click here.
Pay directly via Shopify – click here.
Or pay when you next visit the church.
We are extremely grateful for your support. Together we build a vibrant Swedish meeting place in Melbourne – where faith, traditions, and community have a home.
Thank you so much for being part of it!
January 15 – Creamed dill potatoes with salmon
January 22 – Meatballs with mashed potatoes
January 29 – Lasagna
A vegetarian option is always available.
Lunch is served from 12:15 pm – 1:15 pm (midday prayer at 12:00 pm).
The lunch includes salad, bread, and coffee.
Cost: $18 for members, $22 for non-members, and $1 per year of age for children up to 12 years.
Stina gladly welcomes suggestions for future lunch menus.
Please email your ideas to stina.dunstan@svenskakyrkan.se
Worship service
Sundays at 11 am.
Lunch Prayer
Tuesdays and Thursdays at 12 pm in the chapel.
Children’s group “Lille Skutt”
Meets Thursdays 10 am – 12 pm in the church hall. Singing time at 11:30 am.
Tuesday Gathering
Meeting place for those free during the day, meeting on the second Tuesday of the month at 12:00 pm for a short devotion and lunch. Note: No Tuesday lunch in January – next gathering on February 10.
Book Club
Meets on the third Tuesday of the month at 1:30 pm to discuss current Swedish books.
Next meeting is January 20.
Young Adults
A gathering for young adults who are permanently or temporarily in Melbourne and want to meet new people. Keep an eye on our social media for details.
Choir Skutan
Rehearses Wednesdays 7 pm – 9 pm.
Thursday Lunch
Thursdays between 12:15 pm – 1:15 pm.
Gardening Group
Fridays at 10 am the gardening group meets to care for the church garden.
Ecumenical Prayer Group
Meets the last Thursday of each month at 10 am in one of the churches in Toorak.
If you have questions about any of the activities or groups, contact the church via email: melbourne@svenskakyrkan.se
Contact us via phone or email if you want to talk or need support.
You can also contact us if you wish to receive a home or sick visit.
How to reach us:
Katja Lin, Vicar
T: 0421 045 112
E: katja.lin@svenskakyrkan.se
Gunnar Wenehult, educator
T: 0459 225 532
E: gunnar.wenehult@svenskakyrkan.se
Do you want us to pray for you or for someone you know?
Every week we, who work at the Church, gather to pray for the needs that arise. We include everyone in our thoughts and prayers. No one should feel forgotten. Get in touch with your prayer topics to Katja or Gunnar.