The next Moderator of the Presbyterian Church will be Rev Ken Newell (60) who is minister of Fitzroy Presbyterian Church, off Belfast's Ormeau Road and in the heart of the university area.
Mr Newell was nominated by 12 out of the 21 Presbyteries who met today throughout Ireland in a supplementary vote for a new Moderator following a tie in the first vote last month. Dr Harry Uprichard, minister of Trinity Presbyterian Church, Ahoghill, received 9 votes. For Mr Newell this is the second year he has been involved in a supplementary vote following another tied vote last year between himself and present Moderator Dr Ivan McKay. Mr Newell will officially take up office on 07 June.
Commenting on his nomination Mr Newell, who has just returned from a two week visit to Indonesia, said "I'm surprised, delighted and humbled at the support for me which has remained since last year. I'm also appreciative of the support given to me by Dr Uprichard. The year ahead is a great opportunity to serve Christ and the Church and strengthen the bonds of unity within the Church."
Mr Newell, a former missionary in Indonesia, describes his ministry as 'attempting to bridge the gap between the church and those for whom the church is an alien place.' He considers himself from a 'strong evangelical tradition' but also describes himself as 'comfortable and relaxed within the wider Christian ecumenical family.' 'Churches need to speak out and be heard,' thinks Mr Newell, 'but they also must take time to listen carefully too!'
Born on 14 May 1943 Ken Newell was brought up on Belfast's Shore Road. He was educated at Seaview Primary, Belfast High School, Queen's University, and Ridley Hall, Cambridge. After brief assistantships in Belfast and Quebec, Canada, Mr Newell was ordained as assistant minister in Hamilton Road, Bangor in 1968 and three years later was called to the Overseas Mission of the Presbyterian Church working in West Timor, Indonesia until 1976 when he returned to Belfast as minister of Fitzroy.
As part of his bridge building Mr Newell is the joint leader of the Fitzroy Clonard Fellowship which has allowed Catholics and Protestants to experience together their shared faith and explore seriously areas of difference. This ground breaking initiative was recognised with the honour of a Pax Christi International Peace Award in 1999.
In another initiative between 1990 and 1993 Mr Newell was also involved with others in separate dialogue with Sinn Fein and Loyalist Paramilitary groupings which helped create an atmosphere in which ceasefires could be discussed and agreed. He has also invited Unionist, Nationalist and Orange leaders to Fitzroy.
More recently he served as chaplain to Belfast's first SDLP Lord Mayor, Alban Maginness, and ministered to many who suffered loss as a result of the September 11 attacks during which time he was ministering at Old Greenwich Presbyterian Church in the suburbs of New York.
Married to Valerie, Mr Newell has a son and daughter and two grandchildren. He relaxes at the cinema or by swimming and still regularly visits Seaview to support Crusaders.
Voting for each canditate was as follows:
Issued by Stephen Lynas, Presbyterian Information Services. Info@PresbyterianIreland.org
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