A number of changes have been announced to the format of the annual Presbyterian General Assembly which meets in Belfast from Monday June 4.
This year's Assembly will be a day shorter finishing on Thursday 7 June, rather than on the traditional Friday and on the Tuesday evening, June 5, the Assembly will hold an open discussion on Education.
The Business Board of the Presbyterian Church which plans the Assembly has been concerned for some time that the Friday of Assembly week was becoming a 'quiet day' with lower attendance and it has decided to move the business which normally concluded by Friday lunchtime to a Thursday evening session. So while the Assembly will finish a day early, the number of business sessions remains the same with Friday morning being rescheduled to Thursday evening.
In another change a session is being added to the Assembly timetable on Tuesday evening but, rather that being a time for formal debate, the floor will be open to discuss one of society's hot topics.
In a two hour session beginning at 7.30pm in the Assembly Hall on Tuesday 5 June, Presbyterians will talk education with decision makers, church representatives, governors, teachers, parents, pupils... anyone who has an interest in what is going on in our schools and colleges.
Four topics are on the evening's agenda - education today, curriculum reform, governance changes and educational ethos - and after each is presented there will be a chaired discussion between you in the audience and an invited panel.
" 'Presbyterians Talk' is a new addition to the General Assembly programme designed to give a voice to what concerns Presbyterians about serious and important issues," explains Rev Dr Donald Watts, Clerk of the Assembly. "This year's topic, Education, is an area of life where traditionally the Churches have had a strong involvement. It is undergoing huge change and we need to hear what Presbyterians in education have to say about how they want their Church to be involved now and in the future. That's why we're inviting anyone with an interest in education at any level to come along and make their voice heard."
The evening will not just be talk but lead to action as well. Listening carefully to the discussions will be members of the Presbyterian Church's Board of Education. They will use opinions expressed to influence the Assembly's formal debate on education later in the week including its resolutions on Education which ultimately will be presented to the Education Authorities as the views of the Presbyterian Church.
No tickets are required other than an interest in any aspect of education and a desire to make your voice heard at Church House, Tuesday 5 June at 7.30pm.
Issued by Stephen Lynas, Presbyterian Information Services. Info@PresbyterianIreland.org
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