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The Presbyterian General Assembly opens in Belfast on Monday 4 June at 7.00pm, when around 1,200 delegates, both ministers and lay people, from all over Ireland will officially elect Dr Alastair Dunlop as Moderator in succession to Dr Trevor Morrow. In his final address as Moderator Dr Morrow will reflect on his year of office, while Dr Dunlop will use the occasion to launch his theme for the year, 'People Matter to God.'
The incoming and outgoing Moderators will be available for interview on Monday afternoon at 2.00pm in Church House and for a photocall at 2.45pm
TUESDAY
Following the Assembly Communion Service held in May Street Church, business sessions begin on Tuesday 5 June at 11.00am in the Assembly Hall with most of the first day being devoted to internal church matters.
Most interest will focus on the appointment of a new Clerk and General Secretary who will eventually take over the post when present Clerk Dr Sam Hutchinson retires in 2003. The choice is between Dr Donald Watts and Rev Wilfred Orr and the Assembly will decide by secret ballot. Another senior appointment, that of Rev Uel Marrs as Overseas Board Secretary in succession to Rev Terry McMullan in 2002 will be ratified by the Assembly.
Later in the day the Youth Board will launch a new initiative 'Preparing Youth for Peace.' The main objective of this is to develop effective reconciliation programmes that envision, motivate and enable Presbyterian communities to actively engage in positive community relations.
WEDNESDAY
The report of the Church and Government Committee always attracts interest as it deals in matters arising between the Presbyterian Church and Government authorities.
While it would be easy to complain, referring to the present political situation, the Committee's report points out that it would be wrong to overlook the dramatic improvements that have taken place. 'While we are aware of the uncertainty of the present time and of the undoubted difficulties, there is a danger that we allow the present problems to overshadow the progress that has been made... It is important to recognise improvement without pretending that the promised land has been reached.' The committee considers that this remains a time 'for an historic political accommodation,' and suggests that the future ought not to be determined by the reiteration of attitudes understandably shaped in situation in the past.
Commenting on Policing the report considers it 'regrettable' that Nationalists, Republicans and the Roman Catholic Church are so reluctant to encourage people to join the new Police Service.
The report also contains submissions on the Review of the Northern Ireland Criminal Justice System and the Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland which it hopes will maximise rather than minimise liberty in addition to not entrenching division. The committee also argues that Churches should have partial exemption from the obligation to open their corporate life to equal access and equal treatment in respect of employment.
The Board of Social Witness will emphasize a new report published by the Board 'Engaging with the Community: the Challenge of Mission in the 21st Century. This document acknowledges that 'We live in a context where the churches past influences is eroded. No longer is the church seen as the bedrock of Irish society. No longer is the church allowed the final word on matters of morality. No longer is the church's opinion sought on every matter of importance to our community.It is in this earth shattering change which Engaging with the Community seeks to begin to addressIt is an attempt to help local congregations think through what re-establishing this link might mean.'
THURSDAY
Thursday morning will hear reports from the church's Board of Education and the Overseas Board. It supervises the work of 70 plus overseas staff working in 10 countries around the world in partnership with 25 other churches. Plans for a Special Assembly in 2003 will also be discussed before the Assembly goes into private session.
The last item of business, again in public session, promises to be one of the major debates of the week when, in the Board of Communications report, the Assembly will be asked to decide whether it wishes to proceed with the publication of its own hymnbook. The last book, published in 1973, is in need of replacement and the debate centres around whether is it better to produce a new Irish Presbyterian hymnbook with all the cost when there are many other good books of hymns available that congregations could use. Additionally many question whether a book will sell when today many congregations project words on screens or print special orders of service including the words of hymns each Sunday.
FRIDAY
The Assembly concludes on Friday when the United Appeal Board which is responsible for financing much of the church's missionary work reports that last year's target figure of money to be raised from congregations of £2.5m was exceed by nearly £230,000
Following lunch the Report of the Board of Finance and Administration will report a continuing increase in financial income despite an also continuing fall in membership.
At approximately 3.00pm the Moderator will bring Assembly proceedings to an end with his closing address and concluding worship.
Assembly Programme
- Monday, June 4th - 7 p.m.
- Opening of Assembly
- Address by outgoing Moderator, Dr Trevor Morrow
- Address by incoming Moderator, Dr Alastair Dunlop
- Tuesday, 5th
- Communion (9.30am)
- Business Board (11.00am)
- Ministry & Pensions
- Tyrone Memorial Committee
- Presbyterian Woman's Association (2.00pm)
- Nomination Board
- Inter-Church Relations
- Union Commission (4.00pm)
- Youth Board
- Wednesday, 6th
- Church & Government Committee (9.30am)
- General Board (11.00am)
- 12.15 Worship.
- Social Witness (2.00pm)
- Shankill Road Mission Commission
- Mission in Ireland (4.00p.m.)
- Thursday, 7th
- 2003 Committee (9.30am)
- Education Board
- Overseas Board (11.00pm)
- 12.15 Worship.
- Private Session (2.00pm)
- Communications Board
- Friday, 8th
- Trustees (9.30am)
- Commision on Trusts
- United Appeal
- Studies & Christian Training (11.00am)
- 12.15 Worship.
- Finance & Administration (2.00pm)
- Closing of Assembly and Moderator's concluding remarks
- Youth Nights
- Friday & Saturday 7.45pm
- 'Finders, Weepers, Loosers, Keepers!'
- with Mark Oestreicher of Youth Specialites, USA and Detroit singer/songwriter Sarah Mason
- Doors open 7.15pm.
- Tickets available from the Youth Office £2.00
For further information visit the General Assembly section
Issued by Stephen Lynas, Presbyterian Information Services. Info@PresbyterianIreland.org
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