The Haven LNU

28/08/2026

As news and distressing footage continues to hit our media about the devastating mudslide in Nepal, we pray for those experiencing this event in the region, and also for the members of the Nepali community in Launceston.
One of our church’s commercial properties in Mowbray houses a Nepalese grocery store, and our hearts go out to the business owner and the community of people who shop there, as they come to terms with what’s happening in their homeland.

03/08/2026

Hey folks, I (Rev Caro) am currently on leave (a mixture of long service leave, study leave and annual leave.)

I’ll be back on deck on Monday 5th October.
For any church-related enquiries please contact the Launceston North church council at [email protected]

27/07/2026

The June edition of Crosslight magazine has an article about how the church can include people with disabilities. Our Crossroads group got a mention. You can read the article here:

As disability awareness increases, Victorian and Tasmanian Uniting Church congregations are embracing the need to provide better access for those with disabilities.

06/07/2026

If you or someone you know has an emergency mobile phone hidden for safety purposes please ensure you turn it off during the emergency testing period and follow the advice to turn it back on.

Share this widely - it may save a life 🙏🏼

11/04/2026

Crossroads bus trip! We’re on the road to Deloraine, and it’s cold, wet and windy!
🥶
But we’ll have fun, nevertheless! 😁

01/04/2026

As we take the journey through Holy Week to Easter, here is what’s happening around the church:
* Thursday 02 April (Maundy Thursday) 7pm at Evandale UC- Tenebrae (service of shadows)
* Good Friday- 9:15am at Newnham- a contemplative service of hymns and readings
* Easter Sunday- we will be joining with Pilgrim congregation at ‘The V’ (8a Blaydon St Kings Meadows- access via the shopping centre car park)
**There will be no morning service at Newnham or Lilydale.**

10/03/2026

This morning I was at Aldersgate Village for their monthly Communion service, and one of the volunteers there told me how much she has loved seeing the beautiful sunflowers at the front of our church every time she drives past. It’s great to know that this little gift from our Chin Faith Community has been noticed and appreciated by people passing by. 🌻

11/02/2026

Members of our Chin Faith Community have been busy planting sunflower seeds in the garden of the Newnham church.
The flowers are now in bloom and looking glorious.
At a time when we are seeing news reports of distressing and disturbing events around the world, admiring the beauty of these flowers has helped me to feel better. I hope it does for you, too.

21/12/2025

This is the pastoral message from the Moderator of the VicTas Synod, Rev Salesi Faupula.

𝗔 𝗣𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗠𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿
𝗦𝘆𝗻𝗼𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝗩𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗮 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗧𝗮𝘀𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗮 – 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗵𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗶𝗻 𝗔𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗮

This morning, the President of the Uniting Church in Australia, Rev Charissa Suli, released a pastoral message in response to the tragic and deeply distressing attack at Bondi. I wish to add my voice to hers and to affirm that message on behalf of the Synod of Victoria and Tasmania.
We unequivocally reject antisemitism and all forms of hatred. Violence born of fear and prejudice stands in direct contradiction to the gospel of Jesus Christ and to our shared commitment to the dignity of every person.
We join with the wider Uniting Church, and other churches across Australia, in holding in prayer all who have been affected by this violence, those who have lost loved ones, those who have been injured, those who witnessed the events, and the first responders and health workers who acted with courage and care.
We stand in solidarity with the Jewish community, particularly those gathered in peace to celebrate Hanukkah, whose lives have been shattered by hatred and violence.
Within our Synod, I am mindful that such events reverberate far beyond their immediate location. Many will be carrying grief, shock, anger, fear, or deep unease. Some will feel personally vulnerable or targeted.
I encourage our congregations, ministers, and leaders to respond with gentleness and attentiveness, creating spaces where people can lament, pray, and speak honestly, without pressure to rush toward answers.
In the spirit of the President’s message, these are the darker moments, when violence and hatred confront us with grief and fear, and we again commit ourselves to the way of Christ, compassion over indifference, solidarity over silence, and love over fear.
We give thanks for acts of bravery and care that remind us that even in moments of profound tragedy, humanity and courage endure.
May God’s peace hold those who grieve, steady those who are shaken, and guide all who lead and respond.
With prayer and hope,

𝗥𝗲𝘃 𝗦𝗮𝗹𝗲𝘀𝗶 𝗙𝗮𝘂𝗽𝘂𝗹𝗮
𝗠𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿, 𝗦𝘆𝗻𝗼𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝗩𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗮 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗧𝗮𝘀𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗮

𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗲𝘀/𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗸𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗺𝗮𝘆 𝗯𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲
If these events have raised concerns for you, please contact:
Lifeline on 13 11 14 and their Bondi tragedy support guide via https://shorturl.at/NxICy
Beyond Blue via www.beyondblue.org.au or 1300 22 46 36
or 1300 22 46 36

21/12/2025

This is the pastoral message from President, Rev Charissa Suli

𝗔 𝗽𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗺𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗵𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗶𝗻 𝗔𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗮, 𝗥𝗲𝘃 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗮 𝗦𝘂𝗹𝗶

This morning, we wake with heavy hearts following the tragic events at Bondi.

As the Uniting Church in Australia, we hold in prayer all who have been affected — those who have lost loved ones, those who are injured and recovering, the first responders and health workers, and the wider community carrying shock and grief.

We stand in solidarity with the Jewish community and with all who were gathered in peace. Violence has no place in our shared life, and fear must not have the final word.

In the light of Christ, we commit ourselves again to compassion, care for one another, and the work of peace. May God’s love hold all who are hurting today.

𝗣𝗿𝗮𝘆𝗲𝗿

God of mercy and peace,
we come to you with hearts that are tired and grieving.
We entrust to you the lives lost,
the wounded,
and all who are holding sorrow this day.

Surround the Jewish community and all who have been affected
with comfort, safety, and hope.
Strengthen those who serve and protect,
and grant wisdom and gentleness to all who lead and respond.

In a world shaken by violence,
teach us again the way of Christ —
the way of love, courage, and peace.
Hold us, heal us, and lead us forward.

Amen.

— 𝗥𝗲𝘃 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗮 𝗦𝘂𝗹𝗶, 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁, 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗵𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗶𝗻 𝗔𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗮