Presbyterian Moderator Dr Stafford Carson has called for continued prayer, patience and pastoral care as part of the ongoing response to the Presbyterian Mutual Society crisis.
The call comes in a letter sent to all ministers and clerks of session over the Christmas holiday period in which the Moderator asks them "to support us in our efforts to resolve this situation that affects so many individuals and congregations."
Describing the last year as "an incredibly frustrating and painful time" Dr Carson asks ministers to encourage their congregations to continue to be patient "believing that progress is being made."
He also states his strong belief that the whole church needs to "continue to pray energetically if we are to reach a successful outcome," and requests that time be set aside in church services and prayer meetings "to ask God to meet our needs."
Among the prayer topics suggested include the Working Group and its members and officials, the prime minister and NI Executive ministers, the Administrator and all those affected by the crisis, especially older members and all who are experiencing hardship.
In response to the reports which the Moderator states he continues to receive "that some people are feeling isolated and abandoned by their church," he urges ministers "to be alert to the pastoral needs of people who are affected and to offer them appropriate support and help." While recognising that it can be hard to identify such people he adds "If there are particular cases with which you would like advice and counsel, please feel free to be in touch with me and I will try to direct you to those who are best placed to help."
Many congregations are expected to respond to the Moderator's call to prayer this Sunday, 3 January.
The full text of the Moderator's letter follows below.
To: All Ministers and Clerks of Session December, 2009
From: The Moderator
Re: Update on Presbyterian Mutual Society Crisis
Thank you for all your prayers, encouragement and support as we have tried to address the on-going situation connected with the collapse of the PMS. It is much appreciated. At this stage, we continue to press the case of our PMS savers at the highest level, and we await the report from the Prime Minister's Working Group. It is proving to be a long and complex process. Many people affected by the crisis are experiencing increased difficulties, and we all long for an early and successful resolution of the crisis.
I would like to ask you to support us in our efforts to resolve this situation that affects so many individuals and congregations.
1. Patience
It has been an incredibly frustrating and painful time as we have waited for a resolution to this situation. We believe that progress is being made and we ask you to encourage your people to continue to be patient. The Psalmist encourages us to be patient and to wait for the Lord (27:14; 37:7; 40:1).
2. Prayer
All my conversations with those who are closest to the current discussions indicate that the circumstances which we face are complex and I believe that we need the whole church to continue to pray energetically if we are to reach a successful outcome. I therefore request that in the first days of the New Year you and your elders set aside some time in your regular gatherings for prayer, and in your prayers of intercession in your services of worship, to ask God to meet our needs.
3. Pastoral Care
I continue to receive reports which indicate that some people directly affected by this crisis are feeling isolated and abandoned by their church. I understand that their natural reserve prevents many people from speaking openly about their needs, especially financial ones, and it is hard to identify those who are in greatest need. I would urge you to be alert to the pastoral needs of people who are affected, and to offer them appropriate support and help. If there are particular cases with which you would like advice and counsel, please feel free to be in touch with me and I will try to direct you to those who are best placed to help.
Thank you for your co-operation and help in this important matter.
Stafford Carson
Moderator
Issued by Stephen Lynas, Presbyterian Information Services. Info@PresbyterianIreland.org
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