Meet Our Clergy

Revd Sarah-Jane King - Chaplain
Originally from North East England, Sarah-Jane lived in Oxford, Leiden and Florence before settling in Belgium. She did not grow up in a Christian family and came to faith as a student. Sarah-Jane later also studied theology at KUL and did her further training at St Mellitus College in London with an MA in Christian Leadership. Before ordination, she served in various legal, policy and management roles in government and the European Commission. Her interests are theologies of power and justice, resilience and wellbeing, pioneer ministry and outreach, Ignatian spirituality and contemplative prayer. She is married with two children, and she likes walking and singing.
Revd. Prof. Hector Patmore
Hector is an Associate Professor in Biblical Studies at the KU Leuven and a priest in the Diocese in Europe. Once an atheist, it was the study of theology and the beauty of worship at Durham Cathedral that helped him find his way back to God. After Durham, Hector studied at Oxford, where he trained for ordained ministry at Ripon College Cuddesdon. He was ordained deacon in Llandaff and priest in Jerusalem. He welcomes the opportunity to put his academic training to the service of the wider church and finds joys in gathering with fellow pilgrims around Christ’s table.

The Chaplaincy Council

​Our church is governed by two councils, the Chaplaincy Council and Kerkraad.
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Meet our Chaplaincy Council! The parish administration in relation to the Church of England is undertaken by these wonderful members. If there is anything you wish to bring to the attention of the church council, please contact the secretary.
Revd Sarah-Jane King - Chaplain
Originally from North East England, Sarah-Jane lived in Oxford, Leiden and Florence before settling in Belgium. She did not grow up in a Christian family and came to faith as a student. Sarah-Jane later also studied theology at KUL and did her further training at St Mellitus College in London with an MA in Christian Leadership. Before ordination, she served in various legal, policy and management roles in government and the European Commission. Her interests are theologies of power and justice, resilience and wellbeing, pioneer ministry and outreach, Ignatian spirituality and contemplative prayer. She is married with two children, and she likes walking and singing.

Lydia Patmore - Churchwarden 
Lydia moved to Belgium in 2019 with her young family after a decade of living and working in the Middle East and western Europe.
A museum curator by training, since moving abroad, Lydia has worked within the education sector supporting international students in their studies and for the Anglican Diocese of Jerusalem. Within the M&M's community Lydia is church warden and part of the 'M&M's Kidz' team providing ministry to the church's younger members.

​Roshni Jegan - Churchwarden
​​Roshni has been living in Belgium for more than five years and is currently pursuing her doctoral studies. Living with her husband Jesu and their two cats, she enjoys crafting and getting creative with whatever is at hand. Within the M&Ms community, she is church warden and oversees welcoming and hospitality activities.

Andrew Wiersum – Treasurer
​Andrew is an R&D engineer in the petrochemical industry. Part British and part Dutch, Andrew grew up and studied in various countries around the world before moving to Belgium for work in 2013. Andrew is married with two young children and in his spare time he enjoys travelling, playing and watching sports and reading books. Within the M&M's community Andrew is Treasurer and helps out with M&Ms Kidz.

Andy Patton
​Andy is a researcher in New Testament studies at KU Leuven primarily studying Greek biblical manuscripts. Born in the USA, he and his family moved to Belgium a couple years ago after living in the UK for several years. He is an avid runner, cook, coffee drinker, and traveler. He also serves with the children’s ministry at M&M’s.

​Jesu Spurgen - Electoral Roll Officer
​Jesu, an R&D engineer at a consulting firm, hails from India but now calls a quaint town outside Leuven, home. He's delighted to be part of the M&M's community, a place he finds warm and welcoming.
Jesu enjoys taking a stroll in town, travelling to far-flung places, preparing delicious fish curries, and singing low-pitched tunes.

Karen Papellero - Archdeaconry Synod Representative and Council Secretary
Karen is a researcher in trauma theology and postcolonial experience. She is pursuing a PhD in theology and religious studies at KU Leuven. Originally from Cebu, the Philippines, she now lives in Leuven with her husband and lovely cat. She enjoys reading in cafes, walking in nature, and watching funny cat videos. She also likes to listen to people's stories.  

​Ohin Cheng
​Ohin arrived in Belgium in 2022 to study theology and is now pursuing a PhD in medieval mystical theology. When he’s not enjoying the spiritual writings of St Bernard and his friend William of Saint-Thierry, you might find him taking a walk at Abdij van Park or singing! Ohin is very grateful to have met all these loving siblings in Christ through M&Ms!

Rebecca Breekveldt 
Rebecca moved to Argentina with her parents when she was one year old, and has since made many different countries 'home'. She and her husband landed in Leuven in 2021, and have greatly enjoyed becoming part of M&M’s welcoming community.
A translator by training, Rebecca currently works for the Central Committee of the Anglican Church in Belgium, where she gets to put her language skills to good use thanks to Belgium's unique linguistic landscape.
When not at the computer, she can be found experimenting in the kitchen, curled up with a hot beverage and a good book, or exploring the great outdoors by bike or on foot.

The Kerkraad

Meet our Kerkraad! The civil administration of our church in relation to the City of Leuven is undertaken by Dutch-speaking members.

​Jeffrey Schoenaers – Chairperson of the Kerkraad
Jeffrey comes from Wallonia, but has also called Flanders and Slovenia home. After a career as a performer that took him around the world, he settled with his better half in Tienen, first to get a degree in Japanese studies at KU Leuven, then to teach in a Brussels secondary school. His creative time is still filled with a lot of dancing, making music and writing, but his ideal holiday consists of little more than trail running and reading. 
As conversion took him by surprise when he turned 28, he found in M&Ms the church community he was always longing for - albeit unknowingly. ​

Andrew Wiersum – Treasurer 
​Andrew is an R&D engineer in the petrochemical industry. Part British and part Dutch, Andrew grew up and studied in various countries around the world before moving to Belgium for work in 2013. Andrew is married with two young children and in his spare time he enjoys travelling, playing and watching sports and reading books. Within the M&M's community Andrew is Treasurer and helps out with M&Ms Kidz.

Brendan Pousett
Brendan came to Leuven in 2022 to pursue a PhD. in Robotics from KU Leuven (a very relevant field of study to be on a church council). He was born and raised in Surrey, Canada, and has three older siblings, or role models, who were integral to the development of his faith in his teenage years. After moving to Europe, Brendan and his wife Kayla were delighted to find the M&M's community, which has been a consistent joy amidst the struggles of settling in to a new home.
He enjoys experiencing God's creation on hiking trips with his brothers and dad, exploring European cities with Kayla, and learning new recipes. Kayla and Brendan are also known at M&Ms for their excessively large water bottles.

Mathias Weikl - Environmental Officer
​Originally from Austria, Mathias studied Theology in Belfast before starting his Research Master’s in Theology at KU Leuven in 2021. Through conversations at M&M’s, he has become interested in how the Christian faith relates to the Ecological Crisis. He enjoys talking theology, reading and listening to
music. Having grown up in the mountains of Austria, Mathias also enjoys spending time being active in the outdoors, biking, climbing, or running.

Stijn Van Tongerloo – Ecumenical and Interfaith Officer
​Stijn works for a network of Christian NGO’s that fight poverty and help build a more fair and inclusive society. Born in Belgium, he studied sociology and philosophy at the universities of Antwerp and Leuven. Stijn feels at home in the vibrant city of Leuven, where he can meet, and learn from, people with various cultural and faith backgrounds. Within the M&M’s community he takes care of ecumenical and interfaith relations – work that has a special place in his heart. 

Safeguarding Officers

Jennifer Forness – Chaplaincy Safeguarding Officer 
​Jen moved to Leuven in 2022 after living for 7 years in Germany. A music teacher from America, Jen has taught music from babies through the International Baccalaureate program in New Jersey, Frankfurt, and Brussels. She's now an English teacher in the Flemish special education system. You'll often see Jen playing the piano for worship or leading the choir. 
She enjoys spending time with her family playing games and watching movies, reading, and making and listening to music. She enjoys the warm and welcoming community at M&Ms. 

Melissa Elliott – Assistant Safeguarding Officer ​
​Melissa was born and raised in Paraguay. She moved to Canada to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Biblical Studies. After marrying her husband, Spencer, she lived in several places, including Saskatoon, Jerusalem, New York, Vancouver, and now Leuven. Melissa, Spencer, and their daughter Sophia recently moved to Leuven from Canada and have quickly found a wonderful community at M&Ms. As a family, they love going on bike rides, exploring new cities, and connecting with people from all over the world.

Sarah Jones ​- Lay Reader
Sarah is a PE and Psychology teacher at a large international school. 
She has been a member of St M&Ms since 2011. Away from church she enjoys hiking, camping and cricket.
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Xinyi Tang - Website Manager
​Xinyi was born and raised in Haimen, a small city near Shanghai. She moved to Leuven in the autumn of 2021 with her husband, Zhunlin. ​With a background in philosophy and digital humanities, she has recently begun her studies in theology at KU Leuven. Xinyi enjoys reading, watching films, and cooking alongside Zhunlin.