Belfast was early astir in anticipation of a momentous occasion on Friday, June 10th, 1840. Spectators thronged the city centre as ministers and elders made procession to Rosemary Street Presbyterian Church. A united church was to be constituted. Presbyterians belonging to congregations within the General Synod of Ulster were to unite with those within congregations in "The Presbyterian Synod of Ireland distinguished by the Name Seceders." The united church was to bear the name and designation the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. Its Supreme Court was to be styled the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church.
Almost the first act of the united church is full of interest and challenge for Presbyterians today, for the Rev James Morgan (Fisherwick) presented the Rev Alex Kerr (Portadown) and the Rev James Glasgow (Castledawson) as brethren who had been selected to proceed as missionaries to India.
The pair were treated by the first Moderator of the Presbyterian General Assembly, the Rev Dr Samuel Hanna, "to a faithful and affectionate address". They departed in August, the journey to their destination took six months. They arrived at Kathiawar in Gujarat State, but one died not long after their arrival.
The link with India has been unbroken since 1840 and work has been substantially carried out in Gujarat state at the capital, Ahmedabad, and elsewhere. One writes with due pride of the work of the Rev Dr Donald Kennedy, recently deceased, minister, teacher and, among other things, a contributor to the formation of the Church of North India (1970), of which he was a bishop, as but one glowing example.
Apart from the widespread sorrow and sympathy of all with the suffering of many thousands as a result of the earthquake in India, Irish Presbyterians especially will experience excruciating sadness at the plight of people in Gujarat state, and will want to give all possible aid.
The Moderator, the Rev Dr Trevor Morrow, has asked for prayers for the people of India, and especially for sacrificial giving at services tomorrow which will be immediately forwarded to agents in the stricken areas. Funds will be used for tents, blankets, medicines, foodstuffs and anything else needed. Last year the Sunday School and Youth Project of the church raised money for the Northern Children's Hospice and for projects in India, Jamaica and Stewarts School and Hospital at Palmerstown, Dublin.
A specially adapted 10-seater bus costing £45,000 was presented to Stewarts School. The keys were handed over by the Moderator, Dr Morrow, to Ms Mary Carraig, the school principal, at a ceremony at the school on January 24th last.
Around 130 children and young people from the greater Dublin area benefit from Stewarts School programmes, which feature communication and language, self-help and self-care.
The Rev Terry McMullan, secretary of the Presbyterian Overseas Board, reports: "There are 25 overseas personnel whom the Presbyterian Church has working in partnership with the Malawian churches in the areas of education, medicine, rural development and chaplaincy.
"There is a tendency to think of overseas service with the church as a life-time commitment; however, today about 25 per cent of Presbyterians working overseas are on short-term assignments providing valuable knowledge and skills to partner churches in over 20 countries."