Full-Time Staff

Rev Derek John McKelvey, BA, Bd

Minister derek@fisherwick.net - 028 90 66 66 83

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 third 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.


William Buchanan

Assistant Minister william@fisherwick.net

William Buchanan is Assistant Minister at Fisherwick. Having worked in industry, William responded to Gods call to ministry with a mixture of fear and excitement. His interests are expository preaching and pastoral care of the congregation. He likes to collect paintings and travel in his free time.

Raymond Robinson

Church Administrator raymond@fisherwick.net

Raymond has worked in many varied business sectors and joins Fisherwick with a belief and passion for the local church and its place in this world. In addition to his business background Raymond is a professional flautist and teacher. He has a passion to bring original ethnic wind instruments to worship. When he travels with his increasingly large instrument bag, getting through airports is always an interesting experience….. Raymond is married to Julie and has two daughters Hannah and Rebekah.

Gillian Coulter

Church Officer gillian@fisherwick.net - 028 90 66 76 67

Gillian joined Fisherwick in 2005. She and Norman live on the premises at 2 Chlorine Gardens. Their youngest son Thomas (19) 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.

 

Part-Time Staff

Neale Agnew BEd AdDipED LTCL LGSM

Director of Music neale@fisherwick.net - 028 90 66 66 83

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.


Sheena McIlwrath

Pastoral Assistant for Older Adults sheena@fisherwick.net - 028 90 66 66 83

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 this role in 1995. She is 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.


Janice Stockman

Pastoral Assistant for Family & Children Ministry janice@fisherwick.net - 028 90 66 66 83

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 like the Fischy one last year which we hope to make an annual event. This year she has started our Baby and Toddler group. She is married to Steve and has two daughters Caitlin and Jasmine.


David Cromie

Youth and Student Worker david@fisherwick.net - 028 90 66 66 83

David is a 34 year old ex ant farmer who then moved into a career in ornithology, publishing several important works, including the acclaimed "Pink Flamingos and me".
Recently he has spent 3 years studying theology in Belfast and thought it was "great craic", but doesn't appear to know anything extra in regards to religion, but knows a lot more about coffee.
He believes Youth and Student work is vital to a growing, thriving family church and so has joined Fisherwick to be part of the team here.


Volunteers

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.

There are currently five full-time volunteers in post.


Andrew Dickson

A cold night in January 1986 saw the arrival of Andrew Dickson into the world. A late Christmas present but well worth the wait! In the thrilling years since, Andrew graduated from Queen's University Belfast in 2007 with a BA in English and Sociology. He is a keen musician and plays bass, acoustic and electric guitar, saxophone, clarinet and piano. He also enjoys creative writing, and is eager to learn much in this area. He is a strong believer in 24/7 Christianity, not confining Church for one day a week or among fellow believers. He has plans to do a MA after this year but as a friend said to him recently, this year may expand his mind or narrow it!


Marla Kramer

Marla hails from San Diego, California and just graduated from the University of Michigan in April. Her major there was Organizational Studies; an interdisciplinary concentration comprised of Psychology, Communication, Sociology, Economics, and Management. To really put her degree to use, she worked at a camp all summer in California with young teenagers….right. Here at Fisherwick she is leading the Discipleship course and helping anywhere else necessary. When not at school or work, Marla enjoys baking (cookies, the American kind), playing guitar and percussion, doing crosswords, running, and researching various quantum physics theories.


Misha Doss

Coming to Belfast was no easy decision, friends. I mean, who would want to give up rural Missouri and all her offerings for castles, causeways, Fisherwick, and potato bread? No one I know. Nope, no one. Life pre-Belfast consisted of living in a small city called Warrensburg, where I worked happily as a nurse; which means I was not only a nurse but a waitress, a receptionist, a bouncer, a “mom”, and a janitor. I have decided to help out with the youth while being here, and I think that it will suit just fine…


Seth Wright

Like most people, Seth Wright was born. Unlike most people that have been born, he has not yet died. Between his birth and the present, Seth has lived in roughly 28 houses in four countries. He is a nerdy, literary fellow, and intends to remain in school, whether as a student or a teacher, for most of the rest of his life. He can often be found reading or writing during his scanty unassigned hours. Between the present and his death, Seth hopes to live a modest, quiet life, fulfilling all his appointed tasks.


Chenee Holcomb

I grew up in Renton Washington but for the past four years I lived in Seattle to attend the University of Washington. I was really interested in the nature of power in societies. There is no real major for that so I ended up studying history. When I am not at work, chances are I am reading a good book, enjoying good music or hanging out with friends. I came to Northern Ireland to live in a different place, to meet new people and to learn how a church works within the community it lives in. My aspiration in life is to be a woman after God’s heart, so far it has lead me to places I never imagined what that means is I have no idea what is next in my life.