Intro to Barro Growth Group led by Stuart Duncan will run over 2 sessions on February 8 and February 22 at 7:30pm.

Can of Worms Growth Group led by Graham Clarke will run for one session only on February 22 at 7:30pm.

How to Motivate Your Child Growth Group led by Nigel Lane will run for one session only on March 7 at 7:30pm.

The K30000 Exercise for a Cause fundraiser will be held again in March. This will be the 6th year that we have embarked on raising funds to partner with the CRC church in Kawangware (K), Nairobi. This year’s goal is $30,000, which will go towards the on-going funding of free medical clinics in K, as well as assisting the CRC School (170 students this year) in areas of hygiene, health, the student feeding program and nutrition. We are looking for people who are willing to commit to an exercise regime during the month of March and to raising support for their efforts through sponsorship.

For more details see Pastor John Leach or visit the HELP DESK.     

SolaMinistry College Cert IV in Christian Ministry & Theology.

The Certificate IV in Christian Ministry is part of a group of Christian Ministryqualifications developed in Australia by a range of denominations, colleges andlocal churches. It is governmentaccredited and AUSTUDY may apply for students. The qualification is one year offull-time study, or you can also complete the course part-time. The certificatecomprises of 6 core and 3 elective units (competencies), involving approx 500hours of study and practical work. The Certificate IV course is designed to be taught usingexperiential learning methods and is a great practical ministry tool for peopleof all ages and backgrounds.

You can get more information at www.solamc.org or contact This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Welcome to 2012! 

As we all trickle back from the holiday season, I really pray that you and your family had a truly joy-filled Christmas and New Year.  The Clarke family had a brilliant time catching up with both sides of our family.  Watching our children play with their cousins was a vivid reminder of how strong the bonds of family are.

The Clarke family gathered from all parts of the country (and Canada!) for the wedding of one of my cousins.  It was a rich experience to again be reminded of how much this family means to me.  Rich in the sense that we now have sooo much shared experience as a family – in my lifetime we have gathered together for 10 weddings, 3 funerals and countless birthdays, holidays and special occasions.  One of the things that I love about my family is that everyone always makes the effort to get there – it doesn’t matter what else is on, or where you are living, we’ve all been raised to understand that family has priority.  This gathering had unique significance – one of my cousins and her husband had recently adopted their first child – a gorgeous 4 year old Ethiopian boy named… Micah!  To see the way Micah was embraced as the newest member of the clan was really special.  His biological and family history was completely secondary – he was now part of the family and that was that.

The depth of ‘kinship’ the wider Clarke family enjoys inspires and challenges me.  Healthy families set the bar appropriately high regarding our experience of the church – the family of God.  I’m resolved and excited about the opportunity to journey deeper into authentic community here at Barrabool Hills in 2012.  I know we will have plenty of opportunities to welcome new family members, and I trust you’ll join me in embracing them unconditionally – in the same way my new nephew was loved and welcomed.  I’m convinced that the restorative and redeeming power of God – at work in healthy families AND healthy churches – is stronger than any persons’ previous history or experience.   Let’s see it thrive at Barro in 2012.

Ps Graham Clarke

Senior Pastor