Reverend Canon Stephen Wright
Chaplain

The Reverend Canon Stephen Wright has been the Chaplain of Christ Church Jebel Ali since 2003. He is married to Joanna and they have three children – Emily, Stephen and Bethany. You can read more about Steve here and look out for his occasional and witty (and sometimes not so witty) posts on Steve’s blog! To contact Steve please use the contact form.

Irene Casey
Administrator

Irene came to Dubai from UK at the end of November 2002 with her husband Peter and she was offered the job of administrator over coffee after the service the second time they came to Christ Church! CCJA’s congregation was very small at that time – they all fitted comfortably in the crêche – now we’re a bit bigger and Irene’s role has grown accordingly. However, it is true to say that anything to do with the church that you might need to know – and don’t know where to find out – just ask Irene and she will probably be able to tell you, or at the very least direct you to someone who will know. Irene says…

“My main responsibilities are the day-to-day running of the church administration and coordinating the needs of our guest congregations. I deal with bookings for our worship spaces, accounts and budgets and help out with the wedding admin, including attending the marriage preparation seminars. I have also been known to do wedding and baptism preparation (but not very often) and to run raffles and tombolas for our social and fund raising events. This can all be stressful on occasion and I may need to consume copious amounts of chocolate. (Steve is under instruction to keep the office supplied and gifts of Cadbury’s or almost any other brand of chocolate will not be turned away). I also occasionally read the lesson and welcome at the Friday service, sing in the choir and count the collection. I have been involved in the occasional bit of drama in the services and I’m an expert at cuddling babies! In my spare time I am a member and treasurer of the Dubai Singers and I make bobbin lace. I also provide the office (and occasionally the Friday congregation) with homemade cakes and biscuits.”

To get in touch with Irene you can call +971 (0) 4 884 5436 during office hours or send her an email using the general contact form on the website.

Lorraine McCrohan
Weddings Secretary

Lorraine arrived in Dubai in 2010 after spending 9 years in Singapore. Home, however, is the UK where her 2 daughters, Siobhan and Rebecca are currently studying at University. Her son Ruaidri is studying here in Dubai

My job basically involves dealing with all the administration regarding weddings at CCJA, which includes helping couples to choose their music, requests regarding the ceremony and basically steering them through the ‘red tape’ that is sometimes encountered when couples need specific paperwork from their respective embassies or from UAE government offices – great fun!!!! I am still learning the ropes but enjoying working with couples starting a new chapter in their lives. I have been married to Richard for too many years than I care to mention.

For more information about weddings and getting married at CCJA you can call Lorraine on +971 (0) 4 884 5436 during office hours or send her an email using the contact form on the ‘weddings’ page.

Esther Eluwah
Assistant Administrator

Esther comes from Nigeria and is married with 3 children. She started work at Christ Church as an Office Assistant in 2006 although in 2005 she used to come into the office and help with photocopying, typing and other minor jobs that Irene need help with.

“My main function is to assist the Administrator carry out her duties especially dealing with the different congregations worshipping at the Church building, hall booking and doing the banking. I also help the wedding secretary, deal with couples inquiring on how they can get married at Christ Church – I make sure that couples are informed when their wedding certificates are back from the registration at the Dubai court and I arrange the papers needed during the wedding Seminars and make purchases for the food Items to be prepared for the seminar. I also prepare the Pew Sheets for the services and make the rotas for reading, welcome and intercessions for the services I also occationally do welcoming during the service.”

You can call Esther on +971 (0) 4 884 5436 during normal office hours or send an email using the contact form on the website

Caretakers

Our caretakers Royden and Jit do a great deal of hard work – quietly and efficiently – in the background, and they do it so well we hardly notice! In addition to keeping the building clean and tidy they do lots of basic maintenance jobs and call in the professionals when needed.They prepare the church for services and weddings and take care of the wedding music and also work closely with our guest congregations to make sure their meetings and services go smoothly. They’ve also made a excellent reputation for themselves preparing and presenting the food for our marriage preparation seminars and at washing up afterwards! They both keep fit going up and down the stairs all the time so probably shouldn’t be allowed to use the new lift except in emergencies and for transporting heavy goods! They work very well as a team and we are really blessed to have them at CCJA.

Royden Carneiro

From Kerala in India, Royden is married to Melissa and they have two children Samantha and Ethan. Royden arrived in January 2007 and he lives in the caretaker’s flat above the church. Very good at negotiating prices with tradesmen and suppliers (saving the church oodles of money) Royden is also a very good chauffeur!

Jit Bhattarai

Jit come comes from Nepal and joined us at CCJA in July 2008. Coming from a hotel background he keeps our building neat and tidy (as far as possible) and seems to quickly learn new skills as he watches others at work. Jit lives next to the guest flat above the church.