Born in Belfast in 1954, John Dickinson grew up in various Presbyterian manses. He was educated at Queen’s University, Belfast where he studied Modern History, and Union Theological College and he served assistantships in the Mourne congregation in Kilkeel and in Bloomfield in East Belfast. Ordained in 1980, John came to Carnmoney in February 2002 having previously served as minister in First Killyleagh, County Down and Seaview in North Belfast. He has preached at numerous evangelistic missions and events and addressed conferences both for young people and adults in congregational and other settings. He has organised, led worship or occasionally spoken at PCI Youth events like Youth Night, Youth Reach, Route 66 and Training Trevor, and he Co-Convened the Committees of the General Assembly which produced the supplementary hymnal “Glory to God” and organised the special Assembly entitled “2020 Vision”. He was for eleven years the Clerk of the Presbytery of North Belfast and served on several Assembly Boards and the Church and Government Committee. Outside of the Presbyterian Church he taught Church History part-time at the Belfast Bible College, served on the local committee of organisations like SCORE, is a local Adviser for the Alpha Course and a regular contributor to BBC Radio Ulster’s Thought for the Day. Married to Christine, he has four children. He enjoys listening to music, reading and following sport, especially football and motorcycle racing.

Mark was born in Belfast in 1966 but was brought up a son of the Methodist Manse and so moved throughout large parts of Northern Ireland both North and South until 1977 when they returned to North Belfast. Educated at Methodist College Belfast he joined the NI Civil Service in 1986 where he remained until commencing his studies at Union College in September 2005. He felt a call to the Ministry when he was 18 but set it to the back of his mind as he understood the challenges this would bring and felt he was not ready to meet them at that time. Looking back he feels that the Civil service was a training experience for him as it provided many opportunities to develop skills and abilities that would be useful in the ordained ministry. He commenced part time studies at Jordanstown for a Business Studies Degree in 1998 and felt that God would ask him to use this in some way for full time Christian service. As he graduated he felt challenged to obey God’s call and applied for acceptance as a candidate for ministry. His home congregation is 1st Carrick, he is married to Libby and they have two girls. Over the next two years he will have responsibility for Preaching, Pastoral visitation as well as working with the Discipleship working group to develop this aspect of our mission.

Sharon joined the staff of Carnmoney Presbyterian Church as Director of Music on 1st February 2004. Her role is to prayerfully develop a rich and varied repertoire of Biblically-based Worship as well as providing opportunities for those with musical gifts in the congregation to share in leading praise. Sharon has many years of experience in Church music. (Her mum and gran were both Church organists!) After graduating with a music degree from Queen’s University (1986) she has played keyboard, piano and organ and worked with musicians in various Churches. She has also 15 years teaching experience which includes training school choirs and orchestras. She has written songs in the past, of which one ‘Great is the Lord’ came runner-up in the Irish Christian Songwriters’ Competition (Dublin 1998.) Sharon is married to Stephen and they have 3 daughters – Sarah, Ashley and Joanna. In her spare time (!) she enjoys playing badminton, reading and walking.

Michael is a Carrickfergus man. He is married to Rachael who’s a primary school teacher. They have a cat called Alfie who looks like Postman Pat’s cat Jess. Michael says he looks placid but is in fact a killer, so be careful if you ever call to visit! Michael had a Christian upbringing and committed his life to Christ during his primary school years. However he admits to having found it a struggle to identify himself for Jesus during his secondary school years. During his time at university Michael was challenged by God “to be transformed by the renewing of my mind.” (Romans 12). Since school days Michael has always had some involvement in youth work, first as a volunteer leader in Youth Club work and Youth Fellowship. For the past six years he has been in full time employment as Youth Pastor in his home church, 1st Carrickfergus. Carnmoney is a large church and Michael believes that will be one reason why his role here will be very different from his previous role in Carrickfergus. He and Rachael look forward to getting to know us – not just those who can be called “youth”!

Jean Pillar took on the role of Pastoral Associate in January 2006. She is married to John and has two daughters, Judith and Natalie. Jean has been a member of Carnmoney Presbyterian Church for many years and has been involved, as part of a small team, in helping to run Carnmoney Lunch Club. She has been actively involved in the Alpha programme, leading a group with her husband as well as a follow-up home study group. Jean is a member of Carnmoney Fellowship Working Group which implements pastoral care within the congregation, and has been involved in The Bereavement Support Group which offers a confidential listening and support service to the bereaved. A few years ago Jean undertook a pastoral care training course held in the Church, run by Gary Haire, and it was during that course that she first felt God leading her into a pastoral care role. She has also completed a Counselling Module from the Diploma of Health Studies at Queens University Belfast. Jean believes that Pastoral Care is part and parcel of the Christian way of life. It is the work of God through our lives. Jean is a Registered General Nurse and a Registered Midwife, with many years Intensive Care Nursing experience. She has worked in a range of nursing environments including periods in Holland and Israel. In her spare time Jean enjoys reading and gardening and when possible going to Donegal where she enjoys a bit of gentle hill walking!