Following our Congregation-wide Envision process last year a Strategic Plan was developed, presented and approved by the Congregation.  

One of the actions named in that Strategic Plan and included in our resulting Budget formulations approved by the Congregation was the engagement of a Children & Family Ministries Coordinator to provide leadership in nurturing the faith formation of children and parents.

In late 2009 a Task Group was empowered to make this appointment happen, and we acknowledge the significant contributions of Erica Harrison, Lyndal Venn-Brown, Mark Robards and Gavin White with invaluable support from Christine Bayliss-Kelly, our Presbytery’s Youth, Children and Families Worker, and the support of Ministry Team members along the way.

Early this year, a position description was put together, with advice from the Synod Human Resource department, and in February we began to advertise the position.  The Task Group interviewed the four best potential candidates out of the 13 applications received. They were very excited by one person in particular who was then interviewed a second time and the Task Group organised a get-together with other Ministry Team members to ensure a good sense of fit.

It is now our great pleasure to introduce you all to the successful applicant and newest member of WEUC’s Ministry Team, Joylene (Jo) Dibben.

Welcome Jo!

This will be the first time Jo has served as an employed Children and Family Pastor, but she comes with experience in children’s ministry as a volunteer, and looks forward to helping resource, encourage and support the many volunteers at West Epping.  Her background also includes working in our Synod’s Board of Education for three years as their Youth, Children and Tertiary Unit’s Administrative Assistant.

Jo grew up in New Zealand as part of an Assembly of God congregation where she was involved with the worship/music team.  Her involvement with the Uniting Church began since migrating to Australia in 2001. More recently, she has been involved with ‘Hey You Lot’ (our Uniting Church chaplaincy initiative at the University of Western Sydney) and creative worship services where she has helped shape interactive spaces that include and honour children and their faith.  

Jo and her husband, have recently moved back to Sydney after two years in Queensland, and are currently living on the Northern Beaches.