The next Moderator of the Presbyterian Church will be Rev Norman Hamilton (63), minister of Ballysillan Presbyterian Church in Belfast.
Mr Hamilton was nominated by 11 out of the 19 Presbyteries who met today throughout Ireland to vote in a supplementary election for a new Moderator following last month's tie. He will take up office on the 7th June in succession to Dr Stafford Carson who continues as Moderator until that time.
Rev Norman McAuley, minister of the Greenwell Street congregation in Newtownards, who tied with Mr Hamilton last month received the other 8 nominations.
Commenting on his election Mr Hamilton who has been minister of Ballysillan for the last 22 years said, "I am greatly humbled and surprised that this has come to me. I hope during my year to bring a very Biblical perspective to a wide range of issues that are important to both church and society,"
Voting for each candidate was as follows:
Rev Norman Hamilton (Ballysillan) 11 Votes: Ards, North Belfast, East Belfast, South Belfast, Carrickfergus, Coleraine/Limavady, Derry/Donegal, Down, Dromore, Dublin/Munster, Monaghan,
Rev Norman McAuley (Greenwell Street, Newtownards) 8 Votes: Armagh, Ballymena, Iveagh, Newry, Omagh, Route, Templepatrick, Tyrone.
Rev Norman Hamilton (63) has been minister of Ballysillan Presbyterian Church in North Belfast for the last 22 years.
Well known for his involvement in the community life of North Belfast Mr Hamilton argues that there must be a "proper" place for the church in the life of our communities.
"The way our society works is through the democratic process. Issues that affect people in the pews affect people in the community and affect our politicians and leaders too. The church needs to rediscover its place in civic society so that it plays an active and valued part for the benefit of all in our communities rather than just being one element among many looking after their own interests."
Born in Lurgan on 6 October 1946 Thomas Norman Hamilton was brought up in First Lurgan Presbyterian Church and was educated at Portadown College graduating with a BA from Trinity College Dublin in 1969.
He then began what he expected to be a life long career in the Civil Service but after seven years joined the staff of the Universities and Colleges Christian Fellowship, first as a regional worker in the North East of England and then taking responsibility for the work of the organisation in colleges across the UK. Then in 1980 he began training for the Presbyterian Ministry at Union Theological College and graduated with a BD from Queen's three years later.
Mr Hamilton was ordained as assistant minister in Lowe Memorial congregation in Finaghy before being called as minister to Ballysillan in 1988 where his ministry has been marked by extensive involvement in community relations work and for which he was awarded an OBE in 2007.
He is presently a member of the General Assembly's Church and Society Committee.
A French and German speaker, Mr Hamilton is also a keen photographer and is married to Evelyn with one daughter, Julie.
Issued by Stephen Lynas, Presbyterian Information Services. Info@PresbyterianIreland.org
PCI Home . . . Press Office . . . News Archive