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Over 1,200 ministers and laity will be attending this yearıs Presbyterian General Assembly to be held in Church House, Belfast, from Monday 1 June until Friday 5 June.
The Assembly can be considered as the 'parliament' of Northern Irelandıs largest protestant denomination and will discuss and debate a range of issues and vote on around 200 resolutions concerning the work of the church and issues that concern it.
Following an address by the out-going Moderator, Dr Sam Hutchinson, at the opening session on Monday evening, Dr John Dixon will be officially elected as his sucessor and will preside over four days of business sessions.
'Redeemed by grace to relate with grace' is the Moderatorial theme chosen by Dr Dixon. "It is my conviction that the Churchıs distinctive contribution to society is to offer grace. we must challenge the ungrace of so much around. There are those who speak of grace but who do not show grace daily. It is our duty under God to grace this world and to remove the disgrace."
At a time when events in Ireland are dominated by political change interest will fall on the Church and Government report to be presented on Wednesday morning. This will address the issue of living in a changing society and moving from an adversarial society to one that is co-operative. Submissions made concerning Parades and the RUC are also likely subjects for debate.
The main focus for the year ahead is LIFE 2 - the church wide programme of outreach- and the Board of Evangelism will be highlighting this in its report (Tuesday afternoon). A preliminary report will be made by the General Board about a review of training within the church and the future of Union College (Wednesday morning). The Trustees will be considering the issue of ethical investment in their report (Thursday morning) while how Presbyterians elect their moderator will be discussed. (Tuesday morning)
The Alcohol and Drug Education Committee will announce a new initiative to train volunteer educators to NVQ level to promote the anti-drug message in churches, youth groups and schools. (Friday morning)
For further information see www.presbyterianireland.org/General_Assembly/
Time-Table
- Monday 1 June
- 7.00pm - Opening of Assembly
- Outgoing and Incoming Moderatorial Addresses
- Tuesday 2 June
- 9.30am - Communion in May Street Presbyterian Church
- From 11.00am in Church House
- Changes in election of Moderator
- pm - Communications, Evangelism - Life2
- Wednesday, 3 June
- am - Church and Government
- pm - Overseas Board, Inter-Church Relations, Education
- evg - Moderators Rally
- Thursday, 4 June
- am - Trustees - Ethical I nvestment, United Appeal, Strategy for Mission
- pm - Judicial Commission (Private).
- Friday, 5 June
- am - Social Witness - Anti drug training prog, Youth
- pm - Finance & Admin, Moderator's Closing Address
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