Svenska kyrkan i Australien – Årsmöte
Summary of Swedish Church Australia AGM
As AGM was held in English a summary of the Swedish Church Australia AGM will be provided in English only.
Please note that the formal minutes are not yet formalised and they will be shared at a later stage.
The Swedish Church Australia Annual General Meeting was held on Sunday 19 April 2026 at 1 pm in the Church, with around 40 people in attendance.
The AGM was held with all required formalities properly completed, including the opening of the meeting, election of officers, approval of the agenda, and confirmation of previous minutes.
Vicar Katja Lin presented this year’s vicar’s report, which is submitted annually to SKUT in Sweden. The selected focus areas for this year were community, responsibility, and diaconal care. As noted in the report:
“Community, responsibility and diaconal care. The congregation works to empower individuals to take an active role in diaconal care. Our approach is guided by openness and a genuine concern for each person's unique needs, especially during times of vulnerability, complexity, and fragility. At the heart of our diaconal mission is the desire to meet people wherever they are in life, especially in challenging situations. We strive to ensure more members of our congregation feel included in a shared sense of local responsibility. “
The report also highlighted the continued growth and success of digital diaconal care, which enables the Church to reach communities across Australia.
In the area of ecumenical work, the report stated:
“We have continued to enjoy strong and valued partnerships in various locations within the Swedish Church in Australia. Our collaboration extends to the Danish, Norwegian, and Finnish churches, as well as local congregations.”
Congregational development remains a key priority:
“Our top priority remains unchanged, no matter what’s happening around us: worship services are at the heart of our community. That’s why we continue to focus on making these services meaningful to people of all ages. We’re also committed to encouraging participation and volunteer engagement in our worship life. In addition, we strive to connect with the faith and longing of everyone who joins us.”
Looking ahead, the report acknowledged financial uncertainty:
“Over the next decade, the congregation will face significant financial uncertainty due to major changes already underway. There are still many unknowns, like which facilities will be available, how funding and grants will be structured, and to what extent the Church of Sweden Abroad will cover the congregation’s expenses.”
Mats Marklund, then presented highlights over the year.
After lot of work from the Board in Melbourne, the visa approval for the priest in Sydney has been finalised and Jonas Helgesson will commence his role there.
Maintenance work is also underway, with repairs to the veranda floor expected to be completed in May 2026.
A significant portion of the year has been dedicated to ongoing dialogue with SKUT regarding the future of the Church building. Martin Reftel presented an overview of the work completed to date, as well as the proposed timeline moving forward. Please see document under Update from the Board and Council.
Members were reminded that in 2023 the Swedish Church board decided not to own properties abroad. This issue was raised at the AGMs in both 2024 and 2025, at which time limited information was available. Since then, Bishop emeritus Per Eckerdal conducted a report into the congregation’s activities in 2024.
In June 2025, the congregation was asked (by SKUT) to provide a formal response regarding the situation, which was submitted in August and emphasised the fundamental position of remaining in Toorak House. Later that month The Church Board's Council for the Church of Sweden Abroad, (Kyrkostyrelsens råd för Svenska kyrkan i Utlandet, SKUT) recommended a sale of the property, prompting further response from the Church Council and board in Melbourne to The Church board in Sweden (Kyrkostyrelsen). Please see statement under Update from the Board and Council of The Swedish Church in Melbourne, Australia.
A petition opposing the sale was submitted, gathering over 7,000 signatures and comments.
In December 2025, the matter was reviewed, resulting in a postponement of the final decision and a commitment to explore relocation options. Both the Board and Council in Melbourne continue to work towards remaining at Toorak House, while acknowledging that future outcomes remain uncertain. Members were encouraged to engage collaboratively as discussions continue.
Financial matters were then presented, with Mats Marklund reporting that the overall financial position remains stable. The financial report was approved, and personal liability for Board members was granted. Saward Dawson were reappointed as auditors.
As part of the annual process, several changes were made to the Church Council and Board. Mats Marklund was re-elected as Chair. Ulrika Harrison and Ella Barlow stepped down, while Marie Kudnig and Marie-Susanne Kretschmer were reappointed.
New members elected to the Church Council were Bernard Johnson, Markus Nybom, and Mikael Friberg. Martin Reftel was confirmed as Vice Chair.
Membership fees for 2027 were also updated:
Student: $45
Single: $80
Couple/Family: $110
Senior: $60
Senior couple: $85
All membership goes to the Congregation, Swedish Church Australia.
The meeting then transitioned to the AGM of the Swedish Church of Australia Board. The same chairperson, auditors, and secretary were approved. Mats Marklund provided a brief overview of operations, noting that the key issues mirrored those discussed by the Council, including Toorak House and the visa process for the new priest.
The previously presented financial and auditor reports were accepted.
Board appointments were confirmed as follows:
Anna Önnebo as Vice Chair
New members: Karin Munro, Kristina Karlsson, Ellenor Snell
Re-elected members: Mats Marklund (Chair), Berit Ostrom, Tina Zenou
Ulrika Harrison stepped down from the Board.
Other matters were raised and concerns from three separate congregation matters regarding the potential sale of Toorak House.
The AGM meetings were formally closed at 3.25 pm by Chairperson Martin Kudnig.