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Nyhet / Publicerad 29 oktober 2020 / Ändrad 28 februari 2025

Newsletter

Summary in English

Newsletter March 2025

Deacon Svante Talltorp’s Thoughts

THE WAY OF LOVE

Lent Sunday is almost here. In our churches, this day focuses on the important message of always walking the path of love forward. In these times of great anxiety in our world, this topic becomes even more significant. That we and the whole world should follow the good path and, through mutual understanding and dialogue, support each other is very important!

Disagreements, conflicts, wars, and oppositions never lead the way forward. The path of peace, harmony, participation, and love is the one that moves us forward and is best for everyone. The church has a special role during crises. We, as humans and as a church, need to bring hope that endures through everything.

We have a unique and important hope that God's love is always there to carry us, both in difficult and good times. It is a timeless story of God's great and warm love. A divine love that heals and saves his creation (us and the world) from within.

In times of hardship, we embrace the great hope that love will triumph! Violence and war may win short-term victories, but they have absolutely no chance against love as a force. For God's good path of love is the one that always holds and carries us forward.

In our own lives, we must embrace the fact that each one of us is deeply loved by God. This is the most important and central belief in Christian faith.

God’s love is there for you and me. It is always present! We receive it from God unconditionally, without needing to strive for it. We simply need to open up and trust that God's goodness and love are present in every person. This leads and changes us in a good way.

Somewhere within many of us, there is a deep longing for meaning and love.

There is a path with God. If you and I let trust reign and have confidence that God is with us and leading us forward, always! Then we don’t need to search so intensely for God's love. It is simply there. Let us trust that! God’s love does something good with us. Let us open the door to the divine. God’s good love is already within you and me, and through all people who believe this.

Now, do you and I dare to open the door to God and let words like trust and love become guiding principles in our lives? Sometimes, you and I may think: but how can I, such a small person, always be sure of God’s existence? How can I allow the thought that God is already within me, and that this can give me security, love, and guidance?

We must then trust in God’s word about love’s path as the right way in life.

In one of the biblical texts on Lent Sunday, there are words that were written more than three thousand years ago. They are just as relevant and hopeful for you and me in our inner lives in 2025! Let us rest in and trust these comforting words.

Show me your way, Lord, that I may walk in your truth (Psalm 86)

Warm regards,

Svante Talltorp
Deacon - Church of Sweden

Church Opening Hours

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

Church services in March

Lent Sunday
Sunday, March 2, 11 AM – Music Service
Theme: The Path of Love
Deacon Svante Talltorp
Mats Björklund - Musician
Staffan Thuringer - Organist

First Sunday of Lent
Sunday, March 9, 11 AM – Danish Service
Pastor Christian Rønlev Berwald
Staffan Thuringer - Organist

Second Sunday of Lent
Sunday, March 16, 11 AM – Service with Holy Communion
Theme: The Struggling Faith
Vicar Katja Lin
Staffan Thuringer - Organist

Annunciation of the Virgin Mary
Sunday, March 23, 11 AM – Layman-led Service
Theme: God’s Mighty Works
Gunnar Wenehult
Ebba Marklund
Michael Spencer - Organist

Mid-Lent Sunday
Sunday, March 30, 11 AM – Music Service
Theme: The Bread of Life
Vicar Katja Lin
Ebba Marklund
The Choir Skutan, led by Suzann Frisk

Coffee is served after each service, Welcome!

Services will also be held this month at another location:

Sunday, March 2, 5 PM – Service with Holy Communion at Nazareth Lutheran Church, Brisbane
Hawthorne Street, Woolloongabba, Brisbane, Qld 4102
Service with Holy Communion
Theme: The Path of Love
Vicar Katja Lin

Greetings from two senior future volunteers!

It is my husband, Arthur McArdle, who is Australian, and I, Maria Lyshöj, a retired deacon.

We mostly live in Sweden, but Arthur (and sometimes I) spend a lot of time with his children and grandchildren in Australia, specifically in Geelong and Tasmania, where he once had a house. Last January and February, we travelled around Australia from Tasmania up to Port Douglas and back—and when it was time to return to Sweden, I began to wonder if we could try volunteering at the Church of Sweden in Melbourne, something I had considered as a possibility for many years!

Arthur has a background as a field engineer with the International Red Cross, and I have worked as a deacon in treatment centres, sheltered housing, at Ersta Diakoni, and as a parish deacon. We live in a small cabin in the forest by a lake in Finspång, Östergötland. We enjoy gardening, renovating, spending time with friends, and traveling! These days, various ailments are starting to appear, but we believe the best way to keep them at bay is to live as actively as possible!

We will be at your beautiful meeting place during March and April and look forward to meeting you!

Warm regards,
Maria and Arthur

Hello everyone!

My name is Astrid, and I am a 23-year-old girl who will be one of the Swedish Church’s volunteers here in Melbourne starting in March.

I am currently studying my fourth semester in the journalism program in Gothenburg, but I have chosen to take the courses remotely as I have long wanted to visit Australia.

When I am not in Gothenburg, I hang out in my hometown of Karlskrona (I really enjoy cities with close access to the sea, so I hope to feel the same way about Melbourne).

I am excited to be a volunteer and to meet all of you!

Best regards,
Astrid Nyblom

Do like Roland and Margareta – pay for your membership even if you live in Sweden

Roland and Margareta Bengtsson live in Gothenburg. Every year, they visit their daughter Jenny and grandchildren here in Melbourne. Even though they live in Sweden and can only attend church for one month a year, they pay their membership to the Swedish Church in Melbourne.

“We think it’s completely natural to pay for something you use and want to remain,” they say.

They belong to Tynnered Parish in Västra Frölunda, outside Gothenburg, where they are active members. They first came to Melbourne in 2006 when their daughter moved here, and they immediately felt at home in the congregation.
“We met Gunnar, and I was asked to read the epistle text because the churchwarden was busy with something else. Since then, we have spent a lot of time in the children’s activities with our grandchildren,” says Roland.

“It has been easy to establish such a good connection with the church and other congregation members here. Some we’ve even kept in touch with, in Sweden. We often share the common experience of having family on the other side of the world. It’s a bit special,” they say.

Since 2006, they have continued to visit every year, except for during the pandemic. They have also continued to pay the membership even though they do not live here.

“This has become our alternative congregation, and we are very happy here. It’s even more important to pay here than at home, where there are other means. We are members of two congregations, and that’s not strange at all. It’s important for everyone that there is a church, and we are grateful to be part of it,” Roland and Margareta conclude.

Have you paid your membership fee for 2025?

If not, do so here

If you are unsure if you have paid, please contact assistant Gunnar Wenehult.

The church is here for you, and we are grateful for your support!

 

Finally, Semlor returns to the church café!

For two weeks, we can enjoy Stina’s super delicious semlor, served in the church café from Shrove Tuesday, March 4, until Tuesday, March 18.

Come and have a coffee or buy semlor to take home. We encourage you to think about the environment, so please bring your own box if you want to take semlor home.

Notice of Annual General Meeting

Members of the Swedish Church in Melbourne are hereby invited to the annual meeting on Sunday, March 30, 2025, at 1 PM after the service which starts at 11 AM.

If you have suggestions for new members of the church council, contact Anna Önnebo at anna@redfireengineers.com or Berith Öström at berith_ostrom@fastmail.fm

Have you renewed your membership for 2025?

It is still possible to renew your membership or become a new member of the Sweden Church in Melbourne.

If you are unsure if you have renewed, please contact the church via email: melbourne@svenskakyrkan.se

A big thank you to all who have renewed their memberships or given contributions in other ways!

For information on how to become a member or renew your membership, visit our website, click here.
Pay via Shopify, click here.
You can also pay the next time you visit the church.

Thank you for your support, we need you!

Thursday Lunches in March

March 6 – Sausage Stroganoff
March 13 – Pasta Gratin
March 20 – Danish Meatballs
March 27 – Potato Bake and Pork Tenderloin

A vegetarian option is always available with each lunch.

Lunch is served from 12:15 PM - 1:15 PM (midday prayer at 12:00 PM) and includes salad, bread, and coffee.
Lunch costs $18 for members, $22 for non-members, and $1 per year for children up to 12 years old.

Stina is happy to receive suggestions for future lunch ideas.

You can email your suggestions to stina.dunstan@svenskakyrkan.se.

Recurring activities every month

Service
Sundays at 11 AM.

Lunch Prayer
Tuesdays and Thursdays at 12 PM in the chapel.

Children’s Group Lille Skutt
Meets Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 AM - 12 PM in the church hall.
Singing time at 11:30 AM.

Tuesday Gathering
A meeting place for those with free time who meet the second Tuesday of the month at 12 PM for a joint devotion and lunch. The next meeting is March 11, and chicken stew will be served.

Book Club
Meets the third Tuesday of the month at 1:30 PM to discuss current Swedish books.
Next meeting is March 18.

Choir Skutan
Rehearses Wednesdays from 7 PM - 9 PM.

Thursday Lunch
Thursdays from 12:15 PM - 1:15 PM.

Garden Group
Meets 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 churches in Toorak.
This month it will be on March 27 at Toorak Uniting Church.

Have 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.