The Haven LNU

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

21/12/2025

This morning in worship I spoke about the various pastoral statements made by Uniting Church leaders in response to the Bondi shooting last Sunday. To make it easier to find, I will share some of these messages here.
This is the initial official statement from the UCA President, Rev Charissa Suli

The Uniting Church in Australia expresses its deep sorrow following the attack at Bondi Beach, which NSW Police have identified as a terrorist act.

The violence occurred while families and children were gathered to celebrate the start of Hanukkah, a long-held religious tradition, in peace. What should have been a time of joy, faith and community was instead marked by fear and devastation.

We grieve the lives lost and hold in prayer all who have been injured, traumatised and affected.

As the Uniting Church in Australia, we unequivocally state that any attack on families and children gathered peacefully to celebrate faith is utterly unacceptable. We name and reject antisemitism in all its forms. Violence and hatred must never have the final word.

We stand in solidarity with the Jewish community and commit ourselves again to compassion, peace, and care for one another. We reaffirm our commitment to stand with our Jewish friends against hatred, violence, and fear. This horrifying moment reminds us as a nation that the safety and dignity of our neighbours must never be taken for granted and that protecting one another, especially children and those targeted for their faith, is a shared responsibility.

The Uniting Church affirms the dignity of every person and the right of all people to gather, worship, and celebrate their traditions without fear or violence.

At moments like this, when terror seeks to unsettle our sense of safety and unity, we reject fear, hatred, and division. As a Christian church, shaped by the life and teachings of Jesus Christ, we are called to speak with moral clarity and to act with deep compassion.

We give thanks for the courage and care of first responders, health workers, and all who have supported those affected during this time.

We invite the church and the wider community to join us in prayer and quiet reflection for all who are grieving today.

The Uniting Church continues to hold in prayer the Jewish community, the families and children impacted, and the wider community as it grieves and seeks healing.

𝗥𝗲𝘃 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗮 𝗦𝘂𝗹𝗶
𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁, 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗵𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗶𝗻 𝗔𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗮

21/12/2025

Tonight (Sunday 21 Dec) Caro will be at the church in Newnham from 6-7pm for anyone who would like to come and spend some quiet time in prayer and reflection one week on from the shooting attack at Bondi.
The Australian government has declared today to be a Day of Reflection, and invites people to light a candle and observe a minute’s silence at 6:47pm, at the time the Bondi attack began.

14/12/2025

On the third Sunday of Advent, when our morning worship focused on Joy, later in the day we were confronted with the tragic news of the mass shooting at Bondi.

The Uniting Church President, Rev Charissa Suli, offers this pastoral message and prayer.

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

09/12/2025

Some good news about the future of the former Lindisfarne Uniting Church building.

A former Uniting church on Hobart's eastern shore is being turned into a mosque. There are plans to use it for Islamic education, Arabic classes and interfaith dialogue.

18/10/2025

During the week, I came across this fabulous lecture in public theology presented by the Episcopal Diocese of New York, featuring Padraig O’Tuama and Bishop Mariann Budde as speakers. I know that you are a bit of a fan of Padraig’s poetry, so I thought you might be interested in this.

Padraig opens the lecture with a very engaging commentary on the story of Ruth, and Bishop Mariann follows with some more general comments on the overall theme of the lecture, which is ‘Belonging and Sanctuary’. The recording of the lecture- both speakers plus a bit of Q&A at the end- is available via this link: https://www.youtube.com/live/sm_h0R4MCDI

It’s a long watch (close to 2 hours, although you could fast forward through the introductory thankyous at the beginning), but well worth the effort. I encourage you to make yourself a cuppa, get comfortable, and settle in to watch and enjoy 😊

The Episcopal Diocese of New York, in partnership with Saint Thomas Church Fifth Avenue, will present the 2025 Hobart Lecture on Wednesday, October 15, at 7:...