ABOUT US
OUR VISION
Merri Creek Anglican is defined by a dream; a dream of what church could look like in the inner north of Melbourne. Our vision gives voice and shape to this dream by inviting you to imagine (and build) this church with us.
Imagine a church community...
...that cultivates an open and charitable dialogue about Jesus with the “no religion” tribes of Melbourne’s inner-north...
Colossians 4:5-6
...whose active and transformative presence is dispersed in the neighbourhood like yeast in dough...
Matthew 13:33
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...that nourishes spiritual seekers…
John 4:13-14
...that inspires creatives...
Ephesians 2:10
DISCIPLESHIP WITH US
At Merri Creek Anglican, we want to grow as disciples of Jesus. Our five key transformations statements, or 'discipleship through lines', point to the true identity shift offered through faith in Jesus Christ. These through lines define us and run through our ministries.
DEATH to LIFE
“Faith in Jesus has made me spiritually alive: now I can live the life God wants me to live.”
As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins...But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ...For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do… Ephesians 2
SHAME to ACCEPTANCE
“I was my own worst judge. I used to fear being exposed as unimpressive, unsuccessful, and unimportant. I even sometimes felt small, dirty, defiled, wrong and unwanted – just not good enough. But I don’t need to feel this shame anymore, I don’t need to numb my psychological pain or blame others for my hurts, because I know deep inside that God approves of me and loves me as his child.”
See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! 1 John 3
SELF to OTHERS
“I am not the most important person in the world, rather I know that I am part of a bigger story with others and God around me, and when I sacrificially and humbly love and serve others and God – when I die to myself – I truly find life.”
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of others… Philippians 2
CONSUMER to MISSION
“The world is not a marketplace to provide me with the best possible life, rather I want to reorient my life towards serving others, discover the redemptive Kingdom of God purpose for my vocation, and share my possessions with others.”
For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again…
2 Corinthians 5
STRIVING to ABIDING
“I will not achieve true freedom, transcendence or joy by working really hard and trying to prove myself, but by abiding in Jesus and drawing strength from the Holy Spirit, remaining in Jesus’ love, and being obedient to the Father.”
I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing... John 15
MASTERY to MYSTERY
"Communion with God is found not in mastery or control, but in a posture of wonder, reverence, and attentiveness to the mystery of God’s free and surprising action in the world."
He told them, ‘The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you. But to those on the outside everything is said in parables.' Mark 4:11
CLOSED to OPEN
"Holy curiosity trusts that God is truly present and active in the world, resists purely non-spiritual explanations, and helps others discern God’s living presence."
He is before all things, and in him all things hold together...Colossians 1:17
SELF-SUFFICIENCY to DEPENDENCE
“Faith in Jesus rests not on confidence in human goodness or progress, but on the humble recognition of our deep limitation, sin, and continual dependence on God’s grace.
The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? Jeremiah 17:9
RESPONSIBILITY to RESPONSE-ABILITY
"When I try to control everything in my life, my faith goes mute and I stop hearing God's voice; therefore, I will stop managing and start listening, answering God rather than carrying everything myself."
The LORD came and stood there, calling as at the other times, 'Samuel! Samuel!' Then Samuel said, 'Speak, for your servant is listening.' 1 Samuel 3:10
HECTIC to WAITING
"True resistance to the idol of busyness comes through practising the discipline of waiting on God—cultivating stillness, humble presence, and deep resonance with others and creation, thereby witnessing the sacred action of God’s transforming work in the world."
“Be still, and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10
INNERSPACE to INTER-SPACE
"I will move from living inside my head to living between hearts—creating space to notice and nurture the sacred resonance that forms in the space between people."
“No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.”
1 John 4:12
OUR TEAM
Peter has been in church ministry for over two decades, working in youth ministry and church planting. He has a PhD in colonial mission history, and has a passion for Aboriginal reconciliation. Peter is also a musician, songwriter and record producer, currently playing in the Melbourne band scene. He is married to Jo Knight and has two boys, Leo and Ezra, and Harry the toy poodle.
Revd. Peter Carolane
Senior Minister
Amy, her husband Tom, and baby Florie have been with Merri Creek over the past twelve months. Prior to that, Amy planted the Gather Sunday evening congregation at St Paul’s Cathedral. She also works with the Melbourne Diocese Church Planting team. Amy harks all the way from England, where she completed a master’s degree at Oxford University.
Revd. Amy Footson
Curate and Administrator
Beck has lived in the inner north of Melbourne with her family for the past 20 years. She has been involved in many different ministry roles over the past 30 years both in para-church and parish contexts. She is passionate about community engagement, discipleship and pastoral care. Beck is an arts enthusiast, and the person who asks 10 Chai-related questions at a cafe.
Revd. Beck Miller
Assistant Minister
Sara hails from Tamworth, the home of the Country Music Festival. Passionate about environmental care, she is currently studying environmental law. Outside of her studies, she enjoys lifting weights and coffee catch-ups!
Sara Sarungallo
Children's Ministry Assistant
Tom has been working in youth ministry for over 20 years. He loves that in his job he gets to talk about Jesus, eat junk food, and play laser tag. In his other job, he writes books about the Bible for teenagers. He has a Bachelor of Theology and a Masters of Theological Studies. He is married to Emily, and has two excellent kids. He once bought himself the title "Lordship" off the internet, but you don’t have to use his formal title.
Tom French
Youth Minister
Jenny is an experienced educator having worked as a school teacher for nearly 40 years in schools across Australia. She is married to Richard and is a passionate supporter of the West Coast Eagles.
Jenny Boonstra
Children's Minister
Sara hails from Tamworth, the home of the Country Music Festival. Passionate about environmental care, she is currently studying environmental law. Outside of her studies, she enjoys lifting weights and coffee catch-ups!
Tom Footson
Property Manager
Chris Beeck
Verger
OUR CONGREGATIONS
Merri Creek Anglican meets at Clifton Hill and Fairfield. Click one of the below to find out more about each congregation.
OUR SERMONS
Merri Creek moves through a different part of the Bible each week, and someone shares a sermon explaining the passage and how we might consider God's words in our context. You can find our previous sermons below.