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Nyhet / Publicerad 29 oktober 2020 / Ändrad 3 oktober 2025

Newsletter

Summary in English

Newsletter  October 2025

Information from the Parish Council and the board of the Swedish Church Australia about what is happening with our property in Melbourne, Toorak House.

Dear congregation,

We are writing this to inform you about what is happening with our property in Melbourne, Toorak House.

The Church Board in Sweden has previously made a policy decision that they will no longer own properties abroad. Our church, Toorak House, is also included in this decision. At the next meeting of the Church Board Sweden in November, the matter will be raised concerning how the Church Board in Sweden will manage the properties they own abroad.

The Church Board’s Council for the Church of Sweden Abroad has previously recommended that the Church Board sell Toorak House in Melbourne. However, it is up to the Church Board in Sweden to make the decision, and they may go against the Council’s recommendation. This happened in Paris, where they decided not to sell their church building.

Both the parish council and the board of the Swedish Church Australia oppose a sale of Toorak House. We have expressed this to SKUT (Church of Sweden Abroad) and to the Church Board’s Council for the Church of Sweden Abroad in several written statements.

In our letters to SKUT, we emphasize that the highest wish of the Swedish Church Australia congregation is to remain in Toorak House. Should the Church Board in Sweden decide on a sale, the Church of Sweden in Australia demands that SKUT and the Church Board in Sweden guarantee financial assistance for the acquisition and establishment of new premises. These premises will be owned by the congregation. In our correspondence, we highlight our good financial standing as well as the wide range of religious and cultural activities taking place in the church—thanks to our unique building and gardens. A sale of Toorak House risks drastically reducing the number of members and visitors.

Bishop Emeritus Per Eckerdal, during 2024, has investigated some of the Church of Sweden’s holdings of properties and residences in its overseas congregations, with the aim that these could be transferred to local ownership by the respective congregations. This investigation forms the basis for the recommendation by the Church Board’s Council for the Church of Sweden Abroad to sell.

We have pointed out to SKUT and the Church Board in Sweden our unique history and the central role the building plays in our activities—not only for the Swedish congregation but also for the Norwegian and Danish congregations. Considering how complicated and costly a sale and subsequent acquisition of new premises—including clergy housing currently provided—would be, it is by no means certain that this would be the most suitable or cost-effective option. SKUT has so far not given us any concrete reasoning or reflection as to why our church, specifically, must be sold. We have questioned this and demanded more transparency and a deeper investigation.

We know that our congregation means a lot to all of us—perhaps especially because we are so far from Sweden. We are the overseas parish of the Church of Sweden that is open the most, and we have a very active and engaged congregation. This is something we want to safeguard. We want to continue being the warm, welcoming, spiritual place that so many of us value.

We hope that the Church Board in Sweden and SKUT will prioritize the best interests of the congregation, and not only financial gain, when making their decision. The parish council and the board of the Swedish Church Australia will keep the congregation updated and informed about the future of Toorak House.

With kind regards,
The Parish Council and the Board of the Swedish Church Australia

 

Save the Swedish Church in Melbourne - Toorak House!

Swedish Church Abroad (SKUT) owns Toorak House. It is now under threat to be sold. For nearly 70 years, this heritage-listed building and its beautiful gardens have been the heart of our community — a place where Swedes, Scandinavians, and Australian friends gather to celebrate, worship, and connect.

For decades the church, with its vicars, staff and volunteers have given so much to so many: church services, pastoral care and confirmation classes, weddings, christenings and funerals. Lunches, events, café activities, parent groups, and children’s and youth activities as well as Christmas Bazaars, midsummer celebrations and so much more. The church and Toorak House play a crucial and meaningful role for both young and older Swedes and Scandinavians living abroad. As well as being a welcoming place for countless others.

 Help us protect this heritage and keep Toorak House alive as an open and accessible meeting place for everyone in the community. 

Together, we can make a difference. By signing this petition, you are standing up to protect a piece of history and a symbol of togetherness. Your support can send a powerful message to Swedish Church Abroad that Toorak House is not just a property to be sold but a cherished home for many.

Sign now and show your support

The Parish Council and the Board of the Swedish Church in Australia

Sign here

Church Opening Hours

Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays: 10 am – 4 pm
Sundays: Service at 11 am. Café and shop 12 – 4 pm

Church services in October

St Michael and All Angels Day
Sunday October 5, 11 am – Layman-led service
Theme: Angels
Gunnar Wenehult – lay leader
Staffan Thuringer – organist
Ebba Marklund – church warden

Thanksgiving Day
Sunday October 12, 11 am – Danish service
Pastor Christian Rønlev Berwald
Staffan Thuringer – organist

Eighteenth Sunday after Trinity
Sunday October 19, 11 am – Service with Holy Communion
Theme: Listening in Faith
Vicar Katja Lin
Daniel Andersson – organist
Ebba Marklund – church warden

Nineteenth Sunday after Trinity
Sunday October 26, 11 am – Music service
Theme: The Power of Faith
Gunnar Wenehult – lay leader
Daniel Andersson – musician
Ebba Marklund – church warden

Soup and coffee are served after every service. Welcome!

Meatball Competition 2025

Saturday October 18 at 5 pm.

Don’t miss this year’s big meatball party!
Who will really make the best meatball of 2025?
A jury and the meatball-loving audience will decide – and you are warmly welcome to join!

For those who want to compete:

- Register with church staff or by email: melbourne@svenskakyrkan.se
- Maximum 15 contestants – first come, first served!
- You cook at least 85 meatballs with meat and recipe of your choice.
- Deliver your meatballs (hot or cold) no later than 4 pm on competition day.


For those who want to come and enjoy:

- Taste meatballs from all contestants and vote for the audience’s favourite.
- Experience sing-alongs and classic meatball songs.
- An evening filled with fellowship, music, excitement – and of course really good food!

Cost:

Adults: $32
Children 5–12 years: $12
Children 0–4 years: Free (no booking needed)

Limited places – book early!

Contestants participate free of charge.

Online booking for the party by 16 October via Trybooking here.

Christmas Market 2025 – We Need Your Help!

Soon the church will be filled with Christmas spirit, the scent of gingerbread, and joyful visitors. We look forward to a wonderful month of fellowship, market sales, café service, musical entertainment, and everything else that belongs to the Christmas market.

To make this possible, we need many volunteers – big and small elves – who can help with everything from kitchen work and practical tasks to sales at the market.

Would you like to join in? Contact us via email: melbourne@svenskakyrkan.seor talk to the staff next time you visit the church.

Together we create a Christmas market to remember!

Traditional Lucia Celebration

You are warmly welcome to celebrate the traditional Lucia festivities with Christmas atmosphere and beautiful singing performed by The Choir Skutan!

We offer two Lucia concerts:

December 12, 8 pm at St John’s Anglican Church in Toorak
88 Clendon Rd, Toorak 3142

December 13, 5 pm at the Swedish Church in Toorak
21 St Georges Rd, Toorak 3142

Performers:
Skutan Choir – vocals
Suzann Frisk – conductor
Paul Frisk – didgeridoo

Entry: $20 per person, children under 10 free (children’s tickets must also be booked via Trybooking)

Tickets for the Lucia concert can be booked via Trybooking here.

Don’t forget to bring your ticket to the concert. Limited seating – book now!

The Church of Sweden Celebrates 400 Years Abroad

In 2026 it will be 400 years since the first overseas congregation was established – and we want to celebrate this together!

Melbourne is part of this long history. We are now seeking stories, photos, poems, prayers, or other personal experiences and memories from anyone with a connection to the Church of Sweden abroad.

Do you have something to share?
Perhaps an experience from the church here in Melbourne or from another place in the world?

Take the chance to contribute your story, your photo, or a tip! All contributions are welcome.

A jubilee publication, an exhibition, and sharing of stories on social media and the blog are being planned. Let’s tell our shared history – together!

Send your contribution to Åsa Höjer at the Church of Sweden via email: asa.hojer@svenskakyrkan.se

Read more: www.svenskakyrkan.se/iutlandet/400

 

I

Thursday Lunches – October

2 October – Sausage Stroganoff
9 October – Fish Bake
16 October – Beef Pattie
23 October – Pasta Bake
30 October – Pea soup and pancakes

A vegetarian option is always available with each lunch, including salad, bread, and coffee.

Lunch is served 12.15 – 1.15 pm (midday prayer at 12 noon).
Cost: $18 for members, $22 for non-members, and for children $1 per year of age up to 12 years.

Stina gladly accepts requests for lunch dishes for coming months.
You can email your suggestions to stina.dunstan@svenskakyrkan.se

Parish Records

Deceased
Patricia Myra Adams
Passed away August 12, 2025
Funeral held at the Swedish Church in Melbourne August 20, 2025. Officiant: Vicar Katja Lin

Baptised
Casper Clunas Hammond-Sibley
Born August 8, 2024
Baptised August 24, 2025 at the Swedish Church in Melbourne. Officiant: Vicar Katja Lin

Questions about baptism, confirmation, wedding, or funeral?

Contact Vicar Katja Lin
Phone: 0421 045 112
Email: katja.lin@svenskakyrkan.se 

Regular Monthly Activities

Sunday Service – Sundays at 11 am

Midday Prayer – Tuesdays and Thursdays at 12 noon in the chapel

Children’s Group “Lille Skutt” – Thursdays 10 am – 12 noon in the church hall. Singing time at 11.30 am.

Tuesday Gathering – For those free during the day. Meets on the second Tuesday of the month at 12 noon for devotion and lunch. Next meeting: October 14, serving Kalops (Swedish beef stew).

Book Club – Meets on the third Tuesday of the month at 1.30 pm to discuss current Swedish books. Next meeting: October 21.

Young Adults – Gathering for young adults living permanently or temporarily in Melbourne who want to meet new people. Next meetings: October 9 and 23. Follow our social media for details.

Skutan Choir – Rehearses Wednesdays, 7 – 9 pm.

Thursday Lunch – Thursdays 12.15 – 1.15 pm.

Gardening Group – Fridays at 10 am, to care for the church garden.

Ecumenical Prayer Group – Meets the last Thursday of each month at 10 am in one of the Toorak churches. October 30 at 10 am at St John’s Anglican Church in Toorak.

For questions about any of the activities or groups, contact the church via email: melbourne@svenskakyrkan.se

 

We are here for you

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.