Fisherwick Presbyterian Church

STAFF

Rev Derek John McKelvey, BA, BD

Derek McKelvey came to Fisherwick in January 1994, the seventh minister of the congregation. A graduate in Classics and Theology, he previously ministered as Assistant in First Bangor (1969-73) and as Minister of Ballygilbert (1973-1994). Married to Helen, they have three grown up children, Andrew (London)and his wife Monia, Katy (Dubai)and her husband Duncan. and Alice (Belfast). They currently have two granddaughters in Dubai and a granddaughter and grandson in London. Derek teaches New Testament Greek (part time) in Union Theological College and is passionate about teaching the whole of the Scripture. He and Helen long to see Christians grow in their understanding of the fullness of God, Father, Son and Spirit. In particular they believe that Prayer Ministry and Christian Counselling can release people into the freedom that Christ offers.

Kathryn Viner, MA, PGCE

Assistant Minister kathryn@fisherwick.net

Kathryn completed her Master of Divinity and Diploma in Ministry at Union College in 2009. After leaving Methodist College she completed a Masters in History at the University of Glasgow. Then after completing a PGCE at the University of Bath she taught History for a number of years at a comprehensive school in England. Kathryn is married to Jonathan, who is a Geography teacher. She has been part of PCI mission teams to Jamaica and Hungary, as well as leading a short-term mission team to Jamaica. In 2000 Kathryn was an activities co-ordinator for youth at the MasterSun resort in Kos, Greece. As well as travelling, Kathryn enjoys skiing, playing hockey and gardening. She has a heart for everyone to experience life in all its fullness in Jesus Christ (John 10:10).

David Cromie, DipHE, BTh

Youth and Student Worker david@fisherwick.net

David is an ex ant farmer who then moved into a career in ornithology, publishing several important works, including the acclaimed "Pink Flamingos and me" (only joking!) David spent three years studying theology in Belfast and as he says "It was "great craic", but I don't appear to know anything extra in regards to religion, but know a lot more about coffee".

David has a great sense of humour (as you can read) but believes passionately about Youth and Student work. He believes that it is vital to a growing, thriving family church. He has taken a group of our young people to South Africa on mission, which impacted the lives of our young people very postitively and deeply. He runs a varied programme of youth teaching.

Raymond Robinson, BA(Hons), DipM, DipMRS, ABRSM

Church Administrator raymond@fisherwick.net

Raymond joined Fisherwick in 2007 having worked for many years in a wide variety of business sectors, including Banking, Consulting, Advertising, IT and FMCG in Senior Management positions with specialisms in Communication and Strategy. He is a professionally qualified flute and world woodwinds teacher and teaches privately. Immediately prior to joining Fisherwick, Raymond was in full-time ministry for four years teaching and ministering in Worship. He has a passion for the local church and its place in this world and in people understanding the true meaning of worship. He continues to minister and teach in worship and has a website dedicated to this purpose which also offers free instrumental worship to download (www.christianflute.com). He is also a Board Member of UCB Ireland. Raymond is married to Julie and has two daughters Hannah and Rebekah.

Gillian Coulter

Church Officer office@fisherwick.net

Gillian joined Fisherwick in 2005. She and her husband, Norman live on the premises at 2 Chlorine Gardens. Their youngest son Thomas is currently studying at Queen's University Belfast. Often the first point of contact for visitors and organisations using the church and halls, Gillian and Norman facilitate the whole programme of activities by their essential work, preparing, cleaning and liaising with organisations and individuals.

Neale Agnew, BEd, AdDipED, LTCL, LGSM

Director of Music office@fisherwick.net

From a young age, Neale has been involved in every aspect of choral music – as singer, conductor, accompanist and organ soloist. He began singing as a chorister in First Presbyterian Church, Bangor at age 8 and took over his first church choir aged 18. He joined the team at Fisherwick in January 2005 having spent 25 years as Organist & Choirmaster in Ballygilbert Presbyterian Church. Neale has worked with most of Ulster’s leading choirs and choral societies and his interest in liturgical music has given him opportunities to perform at venues throughout Ireland, in England and more recently in Germany and Austria. He is married to Ciara (a music teacher and singer), and has two daughters, Colleen & Aisling. As a primary school teacher, Neale is keen to involve young people in music-making and to promote high standards of worship and performance in all styles of church music.

Damian McIlroy

Organ Scholar office@fisherwick.net

Damian is our current organ scholar. Fisherwick has a long tradition of mentoring new organists and he is a valuable member of the Fisherwick family. As a gifted musician he is enjoying his time at Fisherwick combining the scholarship with his full-time studies.

Janice Stockman

Pastoral Assistant for Family & Children Ministry office@fisherwick.net

Janice is our Family and Children’s worker. She has a pastoral role to bring advice and support to our entire children’s ministry as well as seeking ways to involve families in worship and wider ministry. This includes organizing the Family committee which runs family lunches and other worthwhile family events, seminars and concerts for children which are an annual event. Janice leads Fisherwick's thriving Baby and Toddler Group with over 50 Babies and Toddlers on a weekly basis. She is married to Steve and has two daughters Caitlin and Jasmine.

Sheena McIlwrath

Pastoral Assistant for Older Adults office@fisherwick.net

Sheena is married to John and has two married daughters (one in Belfast, one in Edinburgh) and a son in London. They have four grandchildren at the last count. Sheena took up her role as Pastoral Assistant in 1995. She is a friend, mentor and confidante to a wide range of our older adults and oversees provision for this age group. This includes involvement with the weekly Wednesday Club, monthly luncheons, summer holidays and various outings throughout the year.

YOUTH MINISTRY TRAINEE

Ashleigh Shanks

Ashleigh has joined Fisherwick after working in a rural community for the last 2 years in Killinchy PCI. She is now studying for a BA Honours degree in Youth and Community Work with Applied Theology and will be with Fisherwick for the 3 years of her course. She is really looking forward to getting to know everyone although she isn’t great at remembering so many names at once, so keep reminding her who you are! She is looking forward to working with a wider range of young people in a very different setting although is worried that all of them will be taller than her! Along with a passion for all things coffee, she has a desire to help young people discover who God really is and seeing them come into a personal relationship with Him.

FULL TIME VOLUNTEERS (Interns)

September 2003 saw a new concept in staffing the congregation with the arrival of a number of volunteers who are giving ten months to Fisherwick, working in a variety of church programmes as a means of learning about ministry and discovering God's intentions for their future.

Information on Fisherwick's Interns for September 2009 to June 2010 will be posted soon.