West Church Staff

As you visit West, we want to send out a warm welcome as we draw people in and make them feel at home. We are a genuine community, caring for one another with wholehearted commitment as we serve together showing real growth as we acknowledge Jesus Christ in all our ways.

 

Ministers

Very Rev. Dr. Charles McMullen

Charles was called to West in 1999 from Legacurry Presbyterian. He enjoys teaching as well as being alongside people to share the love of Christ with others. Charles works in conjunction with the Elders to provide overall vision and direction for the Church. His favourite Bible text is John 3:30 ‘He must increase; I must decrease͛.
Charles served as Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland for 2018/19. 

Associate Minister

Rev Richard Heslip Houston

Richard joined our ministry team in April 24,  as Associate Minister, with ministry experience from Belfast,  Ballymena and Dublin.  Alongside preaching across our two sites, he prioritises Leadership Development and Ministry Co-ordination.  Richard is married to Mimi, and they have a daughter names Ella.

Pastoral Associate

Very Rev. Dr. Roy Patton

Roy has recently retired from Ballygilbert Presbyterian Church where he ministered for almost 24 years. Roy a past Moderator joins our staff team as a Pastoral Associate  and will be visiting members of our congregation as well as preaching one Sunday a month.

Mission & Outreach Associate

Clare Watton

Clare joined our team in June 2022 as an Mission and Outreach Associate with the main focus being on Kilcooley.  Clare has come from a background in Employability, Mental Health and Wellbeing Coaching and will be sharing her gifts serving in the Community.

Youth & Children's Associate

Andrew McClelland

Andrew McClelland

Andrew is our Youth & Children’s Associate who has overall vision for our Youth & Children’s Ministry.  He oversees our Youth Work with our teenagers in Young West .  Andrew  is also involved in School Ministry and regularly speaks in  assemblies to our local  schools. 

Children's Worker

Rosalind Shillaker

Rosalind (Roz) is our Children’s Worker.  Roz  comes from a back ground  in teaching and will work with Andrew to deliver the Children’s programme through out Creche, West Kids, and West Tots both in West and Kilcooley as well as  School Ministry.  

Senior Church Administrator

Cheryl Miller

Cheryl is the Senior Office Administrator managing the daily running of the office and the church premises including working closely with our Minister Charles, the Pastoral Team, Congregational Committee and various sub groups formed from the Committee. Cheryl also edits and produces our West life magazine as well as heading up the Communications sub-group of Committee.  Cheryl also gives much of her spare time to the Church as our Girls’ Brigade Captain. 

Church Administrator & Deputy Designated Officer

Wendy Dobbin

Wendy is our part time church administrator working 2 days each week. Wendy works closely with Cheryl and the Pastoral Team dealing with many queries and requests that a busy congregation demands, ensuring the smooth running of the church.  Wendy supports Marc with the delivery of the Taking Care Programme in West. Should any Child Protection situation arise, Wendy can be contacted on 02891466670.

Director of Worship

Gillian Caughey

Gillian is our Director of Worship and a second generation organist, who, as an expression of her own openness and versatility, also delights in well known praise songs or creating her own compositions.  She expresses her services in many ways, drawing up praise rotas or coming alongside team members with pastoral concerns.

Caretaker

Stephen Burnside

Stephen our  full time premises Caretaker.  Stephen carries out  all the maintenance in the Church from painting to repairs. 

Caretaker

Lin Montgomery

Lin has been a Caretaker with us in West for the last 14 years, she works 3 days a week supporting  Stephen in maintaining the church premises, and undertakes a range of duties keeping the church and rooms in excellent condition ready to be used by everyone.

Clerk Of Session

Lindsay Conway

Lindsay is a former Director of Social Services with PCI.  As a Clerk of Session he supports the staff team, leads Kirk Session and oversees the work of the Congregational Committee.

Deputy Clerk Of Session

Maureen Bennett

Maureen is a former post primary teacher and Education and Training Inspector. Now retired, she supports the leadership team and the Kirk Session of West in developing its strategy for the spiritual oversight of the congregation and its life and witness. 

Designated Officer

Marc Harding

Taking Care is the Child Protection programme of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland and Marc is our Designated Officer appointed by Kirk Session in 2021. Marc’s role is to Co-ordinate the area of child protection  in the congregation and to oversee the appointment process for new leaders including arranging taking care child protection training for every leader. In the instance that a child protection issue arises Marc must be consulted with and can be contacted on 07816 169022.