Dr Harry Uprichard, minister of Trinity Presbyterian Church in Ahoghill was tonight, Monday 6 June, installed as the Moderator of the Presbyterian Church at the opening session of the Church's General Assembly in Church House, Fisherwick Place, Belfast at 7.00pm.
Addressing the congregation of 1300 Presbyterians and invited guests Dr Uprichard (63) launched his theme for the year "God's Word is Truth."
"This is unashamedly a back to the Bible campaign," said the Moderator. "In a post modern world where everything spiritual and moral is a murky shade of grey, not black and white, it is good to turn to the absolute principles and clear parameters of God's Word in scripture.
"Whether a person is a Christian or not, whether they are trying to find faith or live a Christian life, the means are the same," continued Dr Uprichard, "Scripture will provide the answer and scripture alone. God's Word is truth."(A full text of Dr Uprichard's address can be found in the Assembly section of the website.)
Born on new year's day 1942 and brought up in Lurgan Dr Uprichard was ordained as a Presbyterian minister in 1967 and for three years was assistant minister in the Ballymacarrett congregation in Belfast. In 1970 he was called to Trinity, Ahoghill where he has continued his parish ministry until today. Outside of theology he has a love of choral music and until recently was conductor of the Ballymena Presbytery Choir. He also describes himself as an armchair sports enthusiast with a particular interest in football and rugby. Dr Uprichard is married to Maisie and has no children.
Dr Ken Newell in his final address as Moderator told the General Assembly that its priority should be "restoring our sense of confidence within the Church by prioritising love, hope and evangelism." (A full text of Dr Newell's address can be found in the Assembly section of the website.)
"In prioritizing hope we have a sacred duty as Christians to assist in framing a vision for the future of our country, socially, economically and politically," said Dr Newell. "Mention 'hope' and some seasoned cynics will tell you that it has emigrated from the emotions of our people. I don't share that cynicism.
"There are people working at every level of society, in church, on councils, in business, in government, in the community, in our schools, and, thank God, in politics to create a warmer and more inclusive future. Their dedication never ceases to inspire me. But two things need to happen soon.
"Paramilitary organizations need recognize that their day is over: our communities don't need them and don't want them. There was a time when they could stop the flow of traffic in country areas with their weapons and balaclavas. But now they are the major reason why the traffic of political progress has come to a standstill. The sooner they disappear, the sooner the traffic of normal life will begin to flow again.
" All who have been returned recently to positions of political responsibility at council level or at Westminster, need to help us move forward. They need to create a climate of cooperation and distance themselves from raw confrontations that deepen the mistrusts of the past. "
Dr Newell also expressed the view that the Church needed to listen and learn from its critics, particularly young people. "There is a drift away from the Church by teenagers and young adults in their 20s and 30s. They find the church hard to hang in with. We need to be able to listen to their criticisms without feeling threatened as insecure people often do. Some criticisms are unfair - But sometimes their criticisms hit the mark.
"While many are disillusioned by the Church, most do not lose their respect for Christ. One well-placed observer recently commented: "Few of them leave because they have reasoned their way into atheism or agnosticism. They leave because they are made to feel outsiders or have been personally hurt."
"We will not impact this present generation by simply repeating what we have done in the past. The danger facing the Church is dead thought, theology disconnected from life, language that doesn't light up for people, ideas that just don't make sense."
The Assembly continues to meet from Tuesday until Friday between 9.30am and 6.00pm in Church House, Fisherwick Place, Belfast and will consider issues including the sale and future location for Church House; a major new peace building across the church; proposed changes to the BBC and support for the Make Poverty History Campaign.
Assembly reports can be viewed at www.presbyterianireland.org/assembly
Issued by Stephen Lynas, Presbyterian Information Services. Info@PresbyterianIreland.org
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