Both incoming and outgoing Presbyterian Moderators have called on the Government and the Prime Minister for urgent help to relief the distress being experienced by savers in the troubled Presbyterian Mutual Society.
Outgoing Moderator Dr Donald Patton was most direct addressing Mr Brown directly. "Prime Minister eight months have gone by," he stated. "End this agony and help these people." The incoming Moderator Dr Stafford made his plea in the form of a question "Is it not unreasonable for the government not to offer any assistance to savers with the PMS, especially when extraordinary means were found to rescue banks and building societies and to protect savers in all other kinds of institutions?"
Both were addressing 1200 delegates and guests at the opening session of the Presbyterian Church's General Assembly, Monday 1 June at 7pm in Church House, Fisherwick Place, Belfast, where Dr Carson was officially installed as Moderator in succession to Dr Patton.
Dr Carson addressed the world economic downturn right at the start of his address describing it as being of "tsunami proportions," which he said had broken on our shores in the crisis surrounding the Presbyterian Mutual Society.
" It has been a tragedy of such magnitude that people from almost every congregation have been affected. I don't remember any other issue that has caused such frustration, anger and concern in our church."
After paying tribute to outgoing Moderator Dr Donald Patton for the efforts he has made to try to resolve the matter he continued " Some of the letters we have received have been heart-breaking, and it is clear that it is devastating for individuals and debilitating for congregations. No one should think that the cries for help have not been heard and have not been registered."
As to how the Church was to respond and handle the tensions and anxieties present within the church as result of the crisis Dr Carson was clear. " I believe that we need to develop and commend a uniquely Christian response to our situation.
"Christianity is all about developing a love and a passion for Christ. When we grasp that truth, then it means a number of important things about how we address our current problems. It affects our identity, our fellowship and our mission. The gospel defines who we are, how we relate to one another, and what our calling is in this world. And in this world of consumerism and greed and self-promotion, where people treat each other in harsh and cruel ways, those who follow Christ can be different."
Describing the PMS situations as "awful" Dr Carson went on to address the fear that the unity of the Presbyterian Church itself could be threatened by the crisis. He argued that Satan, having failed to divide the Church over theological arguments, was now using this financial crisis to achieve his aim.
"He [Satan] wants to divide us and to neutralise our effectiveness as a witness to Christ in this community. And that is why we need to resolve that, however this situation develops, we will support and love and care for each other.
"Make no mistake about it: we are all in this together. My congregation has all £1m of its property fund in the PMS. There are members of my congregation with modest savings and modest redundancy payments who have put them all in the PMS. They are good people who have worked hard and given sacrificially for the benefit of their church. And I know I speak for many members of this Assembly when I say that we personally feel the pain and the anger and the injustice of this situation. But we cannot allow that to separate us or divide us from one another."
Dr Carson then turned his attention to all that the Presbyterian Church and its members contribute to the community. In a long list he detailed involvement in youth work where, together with other churches, they provide more services that the combined efforts of all other agencies; providing over 400 bed spaces in accommodation for older people and facilities for people with severe physical and learning disability; running of two addiction units; chaplaincy services to the forces, hospitals, prisons and universities and service in schools governance.
"All of this is underpinned by the spiritual, financial and human resources of Presbyterians," he claimed. " Given all that is being done for the benefit of our community, is it not unreasonable for the government not to offer any assistance to savers with the PMS, especially when extraordinary means were found to rescue banks and building societies and to protect savers in all other kinds of institutions?
"We simply ask: are Irish Presbyterian savers the only ones to remain unprotected when the Presbyterian Mutual Society is caught up in the same financial hurricane which is affecting the rest of the financial world?"
Dr Carson believed that Presbyterians had the resource to wait patiently for an answer to the question showing care, compassion and love for one another through belief in the Gospel of grace and the unity and fellowship they share in Christ.
He concluded with these words of challenge and encouragement for his fellow Presbyterians.
"Are we going to be infected by the world's sinful priorities and treat them the way they treat us, or the way they treat one another? Or are we going to respond in a Christlike way, by being loving and forgiving and compassionate?
"You know the answer. We have no alternative. Christ is our Saviour and Lord. We love Him who first loved us. Anything we have or are is because of Christ and his grace. And in dependence on Him, we seek to reflect his grace and compassion in these frail and imperfect jars of clay.
"Yes, we face a very difficult situation. But we face it in the strength and grace of Christ. And that is not a pious platitude. It is who we are. We are Christ's people. That makes all the difference."
Earlier in the evening, outgoing Moderator Dr Donald Patton told the Assembly of the dozens of letters and emails he has received telling the difficulties being experienced by savers in the Presbyterian Mutual Society.
While reserving more detailed comments for tomorrow's (Tuesday 4pm) debate on the issue Dr Patton, himself a saver with the Society and so understanding of the anxieties and distress, said he appreciated the support offered from other churches and politicians. " My constant focus has been on the need for government to recognise that it was the announcement of an increased guarantee to the banking system last September which triggered the run on the funds of the Mutual, thus provoking the crisis.
And then Dr Patton made this plea directly to Mr Brown. "Prime Minister eight months have gone by. End this agony and help these people."
The business sessions of the Assembly begin tomorrow, Tuesday 2 June and continue until Thursday 4 June from 9.30am until approx 6.00pm each day.
Major interest in the business sessions will be Tuesday afternoon's debate on the Church's response to the crisis at the Presbyterian Mutual Society (4.00pm), comment on the Eames Bradley Consultative Group on the Past, Wednesday (9.30am), and the Church's insistence that it must continue to have a strong voice in state education, Thursday, 11.00am.
One new aspect running through this Assembly is that the voice of the next generation of Presbyterians will be clearly heard. Through the 'Spud' programme two nominees between the ages of 15 and 25 from every Presbyterian Church in Ireland were invited to attend a Youth Assembly held earlier this year. Following debate and discussion on a range of topics Spud resolutions were drafted which will presented by the the young people themselves during the debates of the relevant Boards for the General Assembly to discuss and vote on. Another important aspect of the Assembly will be the Presbyterians Talk event on Tuesday evening at 7.45pm, open to everyone, and which this year will focus on healthcare with special guest, Minister of Health Michael McGimpsey. Subtitled 'A Healthy Church, A Caring Community, the audience and invited panel will discuss issues including mental health provision, availability of hospital services, carers and advocacy and the future of residential homes.
John Stafford Carson (58) was born in Larne on 29 May 1951, and attended Moyle Primary School and Larne Grammar School. In 1973 he graduated with a BSc from University of Ulster in Coleraine and three years later was awarded an MA from the same university.
Brought up in the Elim Church, Mr Carson was also strongly influenced through the ministry of Christian Endeavour and Youth for Christ and after his marriage joined his wife's congregation of First Portglenone Presbyterian.
While studying for his MA, Mr Carson taught Biology in Ballymena Technical College before his theological studies took him to the USA and Westminster Theological Seminary where he graduated with a Masters in Arts and Ministry in 1980 before completing his ministerial training at Union Theological College in Belfast.
In 1983 he was ordained as assistant minister in the High Street Antrim congregation before being installed in the joint charge of Kells and Eskylane a year later. In 1991 Mr Carson was called to be minister of Carnmoney where he stayed until taking up the post of Academic Dean at Westminster Theological Seminary in 2000. In 2005 he returned to Northern Ireland and became minister of the First Portadown congregation.
He has convened various committees of the General Assembly, particularly those related to theological education of ministers and the provision of resources to help local churches be more effective in their mission outreach.
An Ulster Rugby season ticket holder Mr Carson is married to Patricia and has two daughters and a son. His up to date thoughts can be read on his blog at www.staffordcarson.com
Full texts of both addresses and all Assembly reports can be viewed at www.presbyterianireland.org/assembly
Issued by Stephen Lynas, Presbyterian Information Services. Info@PresbyterianIreland.org
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