Waterside Minister is new Moderator

The Presbytery of Derry and Donegal has elected Rev John Hanna, Minister of Glendermott, as its new Moderator of Presbytery.
Diane Dodds, MEP, who was  guest speaker at the Signposts to Funding, for churches and faith based organisations,  held in the Kilfennan Presbyterian Church, pictured  with Alderman Maurice Devenney (right), and  local church leaders Rev. Dr. Robb Craig, Dr. William Morton, Dean of Derry and Rev. John Hannah.  INLS 1310-506MT.Diane Dodds, MEP, who was  guest speaker at the Signposts to Funding, for churches and faith based organisations,  held in the Kilfennan Presbyterian Church, pictured  with Alderman Maurice Devenney (right), and  local church leaders Rev. Dr. Robb Craig, Dr. William Morton, Dean of Derry and Rev. John Hannah.  INLS 1310-506MT.
Diane Dodds, MEP, who was guest speaker at the Signposts to Funding, for churches and faith based organisations, held in the Kilfennan Presbyterian Church, pictured with Alderman Maurice Devenney (right), and local church leaders Rev. Dr. Robb Craig, Dr. William Morton, Dean of Derry and Rev. John Hannah. INLS 1310-506MT.

Before coming to Glendermott, Mr Hanna had served as Minister of Tullyallen and Mountnorris and Missionary in Singapore and Indonesia. He succeeds Rev. Knox Jones.

Presbytery nominated Rev Robert Herron, Minister of Trinity Church in Omagh as Moderator of the General Assembly. It turned out that three Ministers tied with five nominations each from all the Presbyteries, so a second vote had to be taken. The result put Rev Ian McNie first, Rev Liz Hughes second and Rev Michael Barry third. However Dr Barry, having received more nominations is the new Moderator Designate.

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Rev. John Hanna reported that a meeting had been held between three members of Presbytery and representatives of the Board of Christian Training to express its concern that those taking Auxiliary Ministry and Accredited Preachers courses should subscribe to the Westminster Confession of Faith. The members were informed that though theological orthodoxy is required by Subscription is not.

The Clerk, Rev Dr Robert Buick informed the meeting that a meeting between representatives of Presbytery and Mr Lindsay Conway, Director of the Board of Social Witness, about the future of the Ard Cluan, the Church’s Residential Home in Londonderry. An assurance was sought that a firm decision on the future of Ard Cluan would be taken by December 1 this year.

Rev Dr Brian Brown reported changes to Boards of Management of schools in Co Donegal. In the case of Raphoe Central Mrs J Lyndsey replaces Mrs L Falls, and in Glenmaquin a new Board has been formed as the school has become a one teacher school. The previous Board has been thanked and discharged and a new Board approved whose members are Chairperson, John McKinley; Teacher, Debbie Brown; Parent, Gordon Carson; Community, Clarke Gardiner.

“As Patron, we are required to provide an interview panel for vacancies that arise on schools. Depending on the post, one or two representatives are needed. It is suggested that Rev .Colin McKibbin take the place of Rev Stanley Stewart and join Rev Amanda Best, Rev Janice Browne, Mr A Buchanan and Rev Brian Brown on the Panel,” Dr Brown said.

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Training for Boards of Management has been organised by the Diocese of Derry and Raphoe and will take place on February 12 and 13 and March 26 and 27, on legal issues and Child protection. As these are very important topics, Dr Brown urged as many as possible to attend, and said details were being circulated through the schools.

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