The Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, Right Rev Dr David Bruce, will begin his second term of office at the Opening Service of Worship, at which he will give his address focusing on his first year in office and the year ahead. Dr Bruce is only the seventh Moderator to serve two terms in office since 1840, and the first to do so in the last 127 years.
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The General Assembly is the first in two years, as last year’s meeting was cancelled as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. Opening this morning, and not the traditional Monday evening, this year’s Assembly will be in person, but socially distanced, with the various necessary mitigations in place for the voting Members of Assembly who will be present.
As in previous years, it will be livestreamed. Looking forward to the event, Rev Trevor Gribben, Clerk of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland said, “In an era that will be remembered for many things, including Zoom meetings and meetings via Microsoft Teams, I am really very thankful that with the easing of some Covid regulations and the opening up of society, we can gather together in person once more for fellowship, worship, prayer, Bible study, debate and decision making, which I think is really important.
“The business before us over the next three days will focus upon the life and mission of the Church and also touch upon some of the challenging issues facing society across the island. These include climate change, in terms of divesting in fossil fuels, and human identity, to the UK government’s proposals on legacy and PCI’s support for the devolved institutions in Northern Ireland. There will also be much discussion on significant reports on how we do our business,” he said.
“The pandemic and its impact on society, the lives of individuals, families, church families and frontline workers at home, and Covid’s impact overseas, will also be reflected in the business before us, through a number of heartfelt resolutions that will pay tribute to, and thank those frontline workers, who have kept us safe and enabled essential services to be maintained across Ireland. That appreciation also extends in resolutions that pay tribute to everyone involved in schools.”
Mr Gribben concluded by saying, “While we will be meeting for only three days, there will be much to discuss. At the heart of the Church is our central calling to proclaim and live out the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ in a constantly changing world. Much of our work this week will seek to further that primary calling in different contexts, including both within the Church and in relation to the public issues around us. After the last 19 months, it will also be a welcome opportunity to be together, and be able to worship together, as a Presbyterian family.”
During the Service of Worship, members of the New Irish Choir and Orchestra, including a string quartet, will provide the music to accompany the three hymns that will be sung at the service. Led by Creative Director Jonathan Rea, Sylvia Burnside performed the song ‘There is hope’. The organist was the Rev Mark Spratt, Minister of Kilmore Presbyterian Church.
The General Assembly will meet in Assembly Buildings until the afternoon of Wednesday, 6 October. Business will also take place on Monday and Tuesday evenings. For full details visit the General Assembly Overview page here. As in previous years, throughout the General Assembly there will be a live Twitter feed. You can follow preceedings via @pciassembly hashtag #PCIGA21.
Photos: (1) PCI’s Clerk of the General Assembly and General Secretary, Rev Trevor Gribben (left) with the Moderator, Right Reverend Dr David Bruce, with some of the ‘Blue Book’, which contain all the Reports, and upwards of 80 resolutions, that will be discussed and debated by members over the next three days (2) the Assembly Hall, with socially distanced seating at one metre.