07/02/2007

Harryville minister named as Presbyterian Moderator

The Presbyterian Church has chosen its new Moderator.

Reverend John Finlay, 61, and current minister of Harryville Presbyterian Church in Ballymena, will be installed in the position for 12-months, beginning in June 2007 and will take over from current Moderator Dr David Clarke.

Reverend Finlay was nominated by nine of the 21 Presbyteries during a meeting yesterday evening.

This is the first time a Harryville minister has been elected to the post.

Commenting on his selection as Moderator, Mr Finlay said that he was "overwhelmed by the sense of responsibility placed in me, but I accept this honour out of a desire to serve Christ and the Church."

The Presbyterian Church in Ireland has about 300,000 members in over 560 congregations and is the largest Protestant denomination in Northern Ireland.

(EF/SP)

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