The Presbyterian Church in Ireland has a membership of 300,000 people in 650 congregations across both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. It is the second largest church in Northern Ireland, the first being the Roman Catholic Church. All the congregations of the church are represented up to the General Assembly (the church's government).

Logo and Motto

The motto of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland is "Ardens sed Virens" - "burning but flourishing". It is usually seen alongside the Burning Bush, the churches symbol. A Burning Bush was included in the more modern logo (top).

Main article : Burning Bush

According to the Bible, in Exodus 3:2, Moses heard the voice of God coming from a Burning bush that was not consumed by fire. This occurred after he had to flee Egypt, and was when he was called to go and demand the release of the Israelites.

History

Presbyterianism in Ireland dates from the time of the Plantation of Ulster.

PCI Today

The present General Secretary is the Rev. Dr. Donald Watts.

Today the Irish Presbyterian Church, which is a founder member of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches, has over 560 congregations in 21 presbyteries throughout Ireland with over 300,000 members. The Church has been much involved in education, evangelism, social service and world mission in India, China, the Middle East, Jamaica, Africa, Indonesia, Nepal and Brazil.

The Presbyterian Church in Ireland, a founding member of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches, has over 560 congregations in 21 presbyteries across Ireland. The PCI is involved in Education, Evangelism, Social Service and mission in a number of areas around the world;

• India
• China
• The Middle East
• Jamaica
• Africa
• Indonesia
• Nepal
• South America

The headquarters of the church are at Church House in Belfast, but they will be relocating to a new development in May Street in the city soon.

Irish Presbyterians

• Dr Henry Cooke, 19th century Presbyterian leader.
• Professor J Ernest Davey, theologian and historian, acquitted of heresy charges in 1927, elected Moderator 1951.
• Dr Ray Davey, founder of the Corrymeela Community.
• Dr John Dunlop, CBE, former Moderator (1992),
  
  
  
  a leading participant in Northern Ireland's civic life.
• Dr Ruth Patterson, the first woman to be ordained to the ministry of the Irish Presbyterian Church.
• David Trimble, Ulster Unionist Politician
• Stephen Rea, "Actor"
• Jim White, Donegal Times Person of the Year (2001), runs the White Hotel Group, former Fine Gael TD.
• Seymour Crawford, Irish Politician, member of Fine Gael & TD for Monaghan.
• Stanley Laing, Irish Politician, member of Fine Gael, Councillor (South Dublin County Council).
• John McDonald, Irish Politician, member of Fine Gael, Councillor.
• Mabel Fitzgerald, mother to Garret Fitzgerald, the former Taoiseach of Ireland. Worked as a secretary to George Bernard Shaw, and as a militant nationalist she participated in the failed Easter Rising against British rule
• Henry Joy McCracken, led the United Irishmen in the unsuccessful battle of Antrim
• Mary Ann McCracken, one of Belfast's most progressive social reformers, a feminist and champion of the poor.
• William Drennan, medical pioneer, obstetrician, poet, patriot, philanthropist and radical founder of the United Irishmen
• William McDowell, editor of the Belfast Morning News, a predecessor of the Irish News, in the 19th century before moving to Dublin to work on The Freeman's Journal. Great grandfather of Michael McDowell, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform in the Irish Republic

Church & Worship

Apart from the seats for worshippers (not shown above), the inside of the church is dominated by four items of furniture.

• The Pulpit is the place from which the sermon is delivered and it reflects the important place given to teaching the Word of God in the church's life
• The Bible Stand holds the bible in a prominent place in the church. The bible is the source of all authority in the life of the church.
• The Communion Table occupies the central place in the church. The associated chairs are occupied by the minister and elders during the service of Holy Communion.
• The Baptismal Font is used during baptisms, which is the rite of entry into church membership. Children are regarded as sharing the promise of salvation with adults in the church and have as much right to be baptised as adults.

Service

The Word of God is central in the Presbyterian Church, along with Prayer and Praise. The worship is a mix of Prayers, Hymns, Psalms, Paraphrases, Scripture Readings and Sermons. In Recent years Psalms and Paraphrases have been used less but are still an Important part of worship.

See also

• Presbyterianism
• Union Theological College College of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland
• Religion in the United Kingdom

Other Presbyterian Churches in Ireland

• Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster
• Non-subscribing Presbyterian Church of Ireland
• Reformed Presbyterian Church