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. Dr. Colin Dickson
Colin has recently joined us as an Associate Minister. Before coming to West Colin served as a PCI Global Mission worker in the Middle East, ‘training Arab leaders for the Arab world’. Prior to overseas service Colin was the Minister in Cavanaleck and Aughentaine, Fivemiletown, where he enjoyed a fruitful ministry. Colin is passionate about mission, leadership, preaching, pastoring and introducing people to Jesus.
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.
Deaconess
Louise Davidson
Louise is our Deaconess. Louise will minster pastorally to all ages and stages as well as developing various programmes for women to share life and faith through discipleship and mentoring. She sees her role as an opportunity to walk side by side with one another going deeper in our love for Jesus and others.
Mission & Outreach Associate
Clare Watton
Clare is joining the Pastoral Team this June as our new 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 is our Youth & Children’s Associate who has overall vision for our Youth & Children’s Ministry. He oversees our Youth work as well as interns. Andrew also works closely with our teenagers and our Kirk Session keeping them well informed about the wonderful work taking place in our Youth & children’s Department.
Children's Worker
Courtney Thompson
Courtney grew up in West Church, serving as an Intern and valued Officer in the GB Company. After completing her degree in Community Youth Work & Practical Theology Courtney took up position in Malone Presbyterian Church as Youth & Children’s Coordinator. Courtney is excited to be coming back to West as our Children’s Worker working alongside Andrew to develop and lead on both West Church Sites.
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
Finance Officer
Stephen Cully
Stephen is our Finance Officer working closely with our Finance Committee on all the Church accounts and budgets.
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 is a new member of staff and 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 Church of 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