Circuit Ministerial Staff

Rev Alison Wilkinson

Alison Wilkinson became Superintendent in 2024 and is Minister at Jesmond Methodist, Shieldfield Art Works and has oversight of the NPNP project in Shieldfield. Alison has over 20 years experience serving in Durham and Hartlepool before coming to Newcastle Central and East in 2016. Before ministry she was an RE teacher and trained RE teachers. She is passionate about preaching and growing the Church. She maintains academic interests in Discipleship, Leadership, and the early women preachers of Methodism. Alison is married to David also a Methodist Minister, who heads up ECLAS (Equipping Christian Leaders In an Age of Science) at St Johns college, Durham University. They have two children and one grandchild. Their son Adam is a Lay Pastor in the Circuit, married to Rachel and daughter Hannah, is the Youth Missioner in an Anglican church in Durham.

Rev. Paul Cleever-Thorpe

I joined the Circuit in 2017. I form part of the Ministry Team at Brunswick Methodist Church at the heart of Newcastle. City centre ministry brings huge opportunities to share the gospel, not least with those who come seeking friendship, a cuppa and a listening ear. I am also Minister of St. Cuthbert’s Church, a local ecumenical partnership in Heaton.

I have a passion for the World Church, spending five months with the United Methodist Church of South Africa in the mid-90s. In Newcastle I am greatly blessed to have pastoral charge of a second city centre congregation in the form of Newcastle Chinese Methodist Church. This is an exciting story of growth and of cross-cultural opportunities.

In my leisure time I enjoy playing badminton, golf, and walking our cockerpoo dog called 'Buster'!

Rev. Julie Mooney

Julie joined the Circuit in 2016 and is Team Vicar and Minister of the Church of the Good Shepherd, LEP, Battle Hill. She is thrilled to be part of such a modern church and received the warmest welcome at her Installation Service – this is the warm welcome that everyone receives at Good Shepherd because the congregation are so friendly and welcoming.

She is a born and bred Geordie lass – originally from Burradon then living mainly in Killingworth after marrying Mick. They have two grown up sons, Michael and David, who still live at the family home. In her spare time she enjoys going to the gym, which is a good way to burn off the calories of her other interests – meals out and nights out with family & friends and going on holiday.

Prior to training for Ordination she worked in the Civil Service for many years (and this is where she met Mick). After 10 years of trying to resist the call to Ordination she studied Theology and Ministry at Cranmer Hall, Durham. Then in 2013, she was Ordained and appointed as Assistant Curate at Holy Cross Church, Fenham.

She considers ministry to be fantastic. It has its challenges but is also extremely rewarding, being a real privilege to be serving God and others in many varied ways. She feels truly blessed to be in Battle Hill and to be part of such a strong and supportive church family. She is hoping for many years of ministry there.

Rev. Helen White

Helen has been a Methodist minister since 1998, having trained at Queen’s College, Birmingham. Since then she has worked with churches in Berkshire, Oxfordshire, Derby, Leeds and Leicester. Apart from dipping back down for a year in Leicester she has been making steady progress north, and has now arrived in the North East.

She is married to Paula who is also a minister, working in the Sunderland Circuit. They have a beagle called Patch who’s very friendly, but his nose and desire for food often lead him into trouble!!

Helen took up paddleboarding a couple of years ago and is beginning to explore the rivers and lakes of the North East, and hopes to have a go at paddleboarding in the sea. Leeds and Leicester were too far from the sea to have tried that yet. She also enjoys walking, whether that’s walking the dog, or a longer hike on her own. Paired with that, she likes maps - and is delighted with an excuse to buy new OS maps covering the north east.

She is beginning to get to know the people of St Andrew’s Methodist/URC LEP, Benton, and Trinity Methodist, Wallsend and is looking forward to working with them over the next few years.

Deacon Bill Topping

I started serving the Newcastle Central and East circuit in Sep 2025. I am the Deacon at Brunswick Methodist Church and am enjoying getting to know the generous and exciting folk that enter that building throughout the week.

Before moving to the North East I was training at theological college in Birmingham. I have moved around a lot and have enjoyed times in: Gloucestershire, London, Kent, Dorset, York and - when I was very young - Argentina.

I love sport (particularly football), music and reading. Believing them to be key in the life of Jesus, I hold the principles of justice, peace, community and curiosity close to my heart and am excited that I am able to work with others towards those loving purposes.

Deacon Jill Henderson

I joined the circuit in September 2024, thrilled to be part of a mission focussed circuit with a heart for Jesus. I moved with my husband Neil. We have been made to feel so welcome and already feel at home in the NE, despite being so far away from our growing family ( 3 grandchildren in the last 14 months)

I trained at Queen’s College, Birmingham and then served in the city of Hull with no church but a brief to work amongst the poor, politicians and party goers of the city. It was a privilege to build relationships with some of the most broken, outcast people of society, witnessing lives being touched and transformed by the love of Jesus.

I then served in the Cheshire South Circuit, based in Crewe and Nantwich for 6 years.

I am thrilled to serve St John the Evangelist, Kingston Park and Trinity, Gosforth; both large LEP churches with so much potential for spiritual and physical growth and building bridges into the community.