Our People
Trustees
Rt Revd Mark Rylands
Mark has been Chair of MMUK since 2016 and involved with the Melanesian Brothers and ACoM since 1991 through Chester Diocese and in Exeter through organising the Passion of Christ Mission in Devon 2005.
Since 2018 Bishop Mark has been Team Rector of the Ashburton and Moorland Team Ministry and Assistant Bishop in the Diocese of Exeter. Formerly Canon Missioner of the Diocese of Exeter (2002-2009) and Bishop of Shrewsbury in Lichfield Diocese (2009-2018).
Ven Dr Michael Gilbertson
Michael has been the Archdeacon of Chester since 2010, and a trustee of MMUK since 2017. Michael has experienced of the benefits of his Diocese’s links with Melanesia and visited Solomons in 2016.
Mr Stephen Scoffield
Stephen is the charity’s treasurer and is a qualified Chartered Accountant, and worked in general practice until 1999, when he and his family joined the Lee Abbey Community. He now works for a number of charities.
Colin Butler
Colin has recently retired after working in education for 33 years. He was the Executive Head of the Otter Vale Federation of Schools, and was instrumental in setting up a School Partnership with the Bishop Norman Palmer School in Solomons with his two schools in Devon. Colin has visited Solomon Islands twice, once on a teacher exchange and another time with his family.
Revd Jacky Wise
Following a visit to Melanesia in 2011, Jacky took up the role of MMUK Trustee, as one of two MMUK Trustees appointed by the Archbishop of Melanesia. The area of communications is where Jacky has most input, as well as having recently joined a small team looking to support ordinands going out to Melanesia. Formerly an Associate Vicar on the Wirral, Jacky is now Chaplain of St John’s Foundation in Bath.
Canon Jane Brooke
Jane has recently retired as Canon Missioner and Vice Dean at Chester Cathedral. Jane has also worked as a teacher, adviser, inspector and independent education consultant for 25 years in both mainstream and special schools. Jane went to Solomon Islands in 2019 visiting schools and the religious orders, running bible studies.
Revd Catherine Duce
Revd Catherine Duce is Assistant Vicar for Nazareth Companions at St Martin-in-the-Fields. As MMUK trustee, she chairs the ordinand working group and is co-chair of the Associates of the Sisters of Melanesia in UK. While an Ordinand at Westcott, Catherine undertook a placement in the Solomon Islands with the Melanesian Sisters.
Revd Kate Pwaisiho
Kate is from Solomon Islands and has been living in the UK since 1997. She became a Trustee of MMUK in 2018 and has found the experience a huge joy and blessing. Kate is serving her curacy in the Diocese of Chester.
Revd Richard Carter
Archbishop of Melanesia’s UK Commissary, Diocese of London, attends MMUK meetings in a non-voting capacity
Trustee Vacancy – Fundraising Trustee
Find out more about this role here.
Staff
Katie Drew
Katie has been the Executive Officer of the charity since 2012, following a volunteer placement with her family in the region. Katie looks after the day to day running of the charity, liaising with ACoM staff, the religious orders and other church groups in Melanesia, keeping trustees and supporters up to date. Katie is available to give talks to church groups online or in person, on the work of the charity.
Marie Schlenker
Marie is the charity’s Care for Creation Officer, overseeing climate awareness and advocacy projects. Marie first visited Melanesia in 2019 for her research on coastal hazards. Marie co-manages the Environment Observatories in Melanesia, creates climate change school materials and gives talks to schools and church groups.
Supporters
Our supporters include dioceses, churches, church groups, schools and individuals from across the UK. There is no membership or official enrolment, but supporters are encouraged to engage with the charity’s work through prayer, donations and fundraising, volunteering, climate justice and hosting events and visiting Melanesians. As a small charity we reply on the generous support of prayer, time and giving of our UK community to enable us to work in so many areas.
Prayer requests and news from the charity and region are shared on our News pages, through social media, in our bimonthly email newsletter, in our Annual Report and at our online and in person events.
The charity also supports and promotes the work of the Companion and Associates groups in the UK for the four Anglican religious orders. These groups meet regularly in person and online to pray with the religious orders and to discern how best to support them.
