Our Committee

Stephen has been a minister of the Presbyterian Church for 32 years, 11 at his current position at Charlestown and 21 years previously at Tweed Heads. Before that Stephen trained and worked as a Chartered Accountant in the Sydney CBD. When Stephen moved to Charlestown he sensed the balance between mens and women's ministries within the Church wasn't right. He started to think through how to encourage, train, employ and support the many godly women that the Lord had sent to Charlestown. This led to a presentation that Jo Barlow and Stephen did at our denominational REFOCUS conference. He was then invited onto the WMC committee and has since become its convener in 2021.

Sylvia is a Deaconess in the Presbyterian Church of NSW, commissioned by the Central Coast Presbytery in 2017. Sylvia served as Associate Women's Ministry Facilitator from 2021 - 2025, and steps fully into the role in 2026. She is married to Sylvester, minister at Cherrybrook Presbyterian Church, and together they raise their three delightful daughters and puppy, Fred. Sylvia delights in reading and teaching God's word in fellowship with women, through preaching, mentoring, Bible Study and pastoral care. She loves that the gospel gives, and helps us live, a better story in the brokenness of this world.

Sheree serves in her Church in a variety of ways, including as a bible study leader and congregational leadership team member. She teaches scripture in schools once a week, and works as an OT. Sheree has been involved in the Women's Ministry Committee through it's various stages: since the original assembly committee was convened in 2009, and in the Women's Ministry Taskforce from 2011. Sheree serves on the WMC because of her desire to see women in our church encouraged and built up in faith and outreach, by strengthening our women in ministry roles. She serves on the committee by bringing a voice from a congregational woman's perspective. Sheree is passionate that men and women work well together for God's glory.

Jenny is married to Bob and together they have 4 adult children and 4 delicious grandchildren. Her career has been in nursing, midwifery and child and family health, and she has served in women and children's ministries for many years, including leading a ladies Bible study where she has had the joy of seeing lots of women get excited about learning the Bible, about God, and how He is at work in their lives. She is passionate about encouraging women and children in their walk with God and encouraging growth in Biblical literacy, understanding the Bible and studying it with intent and purpose, to grow our knowledge and faith, equipping us for the kingdom work God has put in front of us. Jenny has been blessed by the PCNSW Women's Ministry Committee and is delighted to join the committee and be involved in what God has in store for his people as we seek to serve and honour Him together in this ministry.

Sarah has a Bachelor of Social Work and a Diploma of Theology. She currently works as a Pastoral Carer in Residential Aged Care but her highlights include being a Foster Care Case Manager and Camping Director for Presbyterian Youth NSW. Sarah is married to Stephen, they have two daughters in primary school. Sarah loves playing field hockey, and has a passion for singing, particularly old hymns and Carols. Sarah's first step into women's ministry was joining the Sydney-based, PCNSW Teaching and Training Women's Committee in 2014. Sarah developed a strong sense for the importance of women being trained and being given the opportunity to use their God-given gifts alongside their Christian brothers, through this and many years serving at PYNSW's Camps. Sarah is most involved in children's ministry at Cherrybrook Presbyterian.

Nicole trained as a Deaconess at the Presbyterian Theological Centre (now Christ College) and has served alongside her husband Steve at Penrith Presbyterian church for the last 14 years. She runs a women's Bible study, a community pantry outreach ministry and teaches in kids' church. Nicole is also currently serving as a Police Chaplain. Prior to this, she has also worked as the Associate Dean of Women at Christ College and as a Women's and Children's Ministry Worker at Beecroft Presbyterian church. Nicole and Steve have three teenage children and she delights in seeing her whole family serving the church together, side by side.

John served as the minister of Cowra Presbyterian Church and has taught theology and ethics at Christ College for 19 years. He and Elizabeth are members of Winmalee Presbyterian Church where John is an elder. He was convenor of Women's Ministries in the Presbyterian Church of Australia for several years. John believes that because of the theological convictions held by many in the PCNSW about how man and women work together, it is crucial that we are proactive in encouraging and supporting women in gospel ministry, and promoting women's involvement in church discussion and decisions.

Hazel made a fresh start with Jesus 16 years ago. She belongs to Woonona Presbyterian Community Church (WPCC) and serves as a Deacon, on Committee of Management, as BTS Coordinator and in various ministries. Hazel currently works 1.5 days per week as WHSE Manager for Presbyterian Church Offices NSW/ACT. Hazel is interested in thriving, safe and healthy church and the increased role of women's voices as significant to this well being.

Since 1999, Carmelina has served alongside her husband Jeff at Chatswood Presbyterian Church where Jeff is the senior minister. She established both the Connect Women daytime Bible study ministry, and the Connect Kids children's ministry. Carmelina and Jeff have trained up over 50 students for ministry (half of these students are women and 5 of them became deaconesses). Carmelina also serves as the Dean of Women at Christ College where she coordinates and teaches in the Ministry Training for Women (MTW) unit, overseas pastoral care of female students and ministry wives. Carmelina is one of the founding organisers of EQUIPwomen - she is a regular speaker at EQUIP and at women's conferences throughout Australia and overseas. She can often be seen reading the Bible one to one with women and considers these times a highlight of her week. From the Scriptures, Carmelina is convinced God designed men and women to work together in an equal and different partnership in the home, the church and the world to fulfil His plan to bring all things under the Lordship of Jesus. She is committed to helping churches and leaders expand their vision and practise of how women can participate in gospel ministry, and particularly, how we can encourage women to undertake theological education and consider vocational ministry.