General Assembly 2013
Date: 03/06/2013 7:30 PM
Location: Millennium Forum, Londonderry
The 2013 General Assembly will take place in the UK's City of Culture, Londonderry, from 3rd to 7th June.
With the election of the Moderator Designate and the General Assembly meeting in Londonderry for the first time in 80 years Presbyterians are already wanting to know how they can be involved in the four days of worship, prayer, Bible study, celebration and decision making which will take place from 3rd – 6th June 2013.
Opening Session
It all begins with the installation of the new Moderator, the minister of Kilfennan, Rev. Rob Craig, at the opening session of the Assembly in the Millennium Forum at 7.00pm on Monday, 3rd June. A limited number of tickets are available for non-members of Assembly and can be requested from 15th April.
Business Sessions
Business sessions of the Assembly, all of which will be held in the Millennium Forum, are open to everyone. No tickets are required and admission to non-members is only limited by space. These begin on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings, 4th, 5th and 6th June at 9.30am, and run until about 6.00pm each evening with a break in the middle of each day for worship and lunch. During these business sessions the members of Assembly hear reports from the various Boards and committees appointed by the Assembly, and debate and vote on resolutions regarding Church policy and ministry.
Assembly Communion
The General Assembly Communion Service is also open to everyone, space permitting, and will be held in First Derry Presbyterian Church on Tuesday, 4th June at 11.45am. The Moderator will preach and local elders will take part.
Tuesday Evening
On Tuesday evening, 4th June from 7.15 pm, the Assembly will visit the Magee campus of the University of Ulster.
Magee College was originally a Presbyterian College where students for the ministry began their training. It has now developed into an integral part of the University. The Provost is kindly welcoming us to reflect on some of our tradition and history in the area with a number of short seminars organised by the Derry and Donegal Presbytery. There will also be a finger buffet. Tickets are essential and available from Joyce Anderson, General Secretary’s Office, Assembly Buildings, 2-10 Fisherwick Place, Belfast, BT1 6DW, tel: +44(0) 28 9041 7208 email: janderson@presbyterianireland.org
Lunchtime Worship
On Wednesday and Thursday at 12.15pm the Assembly holds its daily worship in the Millennium Forum. No tickets are required and for about an hour everyone is welcome to join together in a time of praise, prayer and biblical reflection led by the Moderator.
‘Christ Transforming Culture’
On Wednesday evening, June 5th at 8.00pm everyone is invited to the Millennium Forum for an evening hosted by the Moderator entitled ‘Christ Transforming Culture’. Through drama and music the Moderator and others will lead an exploration of how the Assembly theme, ‘A Place of Transformation’ impacts on the Church and individual Christians and on the culture of where they work and witness. Tickets are available from 15th April.
General Assembly Tickets
The Opening Night, Tuesday Evening at Magee, and the Wednesday Rally will be ticketed events this year. Tickets will be available to all members of the Assembly but must be applied for no later than Monday, 8th April 2013. Members may also ask for a second ticket if bringing a guest. Tickets will be available to the general public from Monday, 15th April. All applications should be made to Joyce Anderson, General Secretary’s Office, Assembly Buildings, 2-10 Fisherwick Place, Belfast, BT1 6DW, tel: +44 (0) 28 9041 7208 email: janderson@presbyterianireland.org