It has been a year that saw Dr. Sellar preach close on 100 times in all of the Church’s 19 presbyteries. He has visited congregations, numerous projects and carried out various engagements across 20 counties. Writing a final blog as Moderator Dr. Sellar described the year as ‘non-stop’, but a ‘privilege’.
“Throughout the year Claire and I (pictured) prayed that God would guide us and we would be sensitive to the prompting of His Holy Spirit. He was ever faithful and we found divine opportunities from Kathmandu to Kells in Co. Meath and from Carrigart to Cloughwater. Describing the year, I think that the word I am looking for is ‘privilege’. A privilege to be allowed into people’s lives, members of the Church, ministering in ordinary contexts and working in Christ’s Name.”
Dr. Sellar also spoke of ‘moving memories’ having taken part in the centenary commemorations of the Battle of the Somme in France last July, and meeting members of the Irish Naval Forces in Co. Cork during December, having recently rescued over 15,600 refugees from the Mediterranean Sea.
But it was the three presbytery tours that provided him with some of his abiding memories and invaluable insights into the diversity of what local congregations are doing on the ground. From working with young people and children with special needs, to supporting people to get out of debt through Christians Against Poverty and partnering with others to establish Food Banks.
He said that he had seen a similar demonstration of Christ’s love in Nepal, where he witnessed again how God strategically placed people, like the Church’s overseas mission personnel, in the right place at the right time.
Dr. Sellar also explained that he had been affected by the ‘real life-changing benefit’ that the last Moderator’s Appeal had brought to people in situ, after the 2015 earthquakes – especially seeing first hand the physical connection between what had been sacrificially given at home and the blessing that had flowed from it in Nepal.
Summarising his year, Dr. Sellar said, “Claire and I are greatly heartened by what we have found on our travels. Ours is not a church in retreat, but a gracious and humble partner in the advancement of God’s Kingdom across Ireland.
“The abiding delight has been meeting with God’s people, living, ministering and working in Christ’s Name in the countryside, towns and cities of this island – and further afield - joyfully serving. This has been our greatest privilege.”
Dr. Sellar will share his reflections in his final address as Moderator on the Opening Night of the Church’s General Assembly on the evening of 5th June, which is open to the public. The ceremony will be broadcast live on Radio Ulster 1341 Medium Wave from 7pm. A live daily Twitter feed that can be followed @pciassembly hashtag #pciga17.
You can read Dr. Sellar’s full reflection on his year in office in his blog here.
For information and resources about this year's General Assembly: The Blue Book, individual reports, supplementary reports, daily business, minutes, previews and reviews of each day's proceedings, visit our General Assembly 2017 resources section here.