On 10th-11th June the Dublin church was privileged to host the Annual General Synod Meetings of the Non Subscribing Presbyterian Church of Ireland. The last time the meetings took place in Dublin was 39 years ago, so there was an air of anxiety hanging over the whole proceedings. Would the northerners be prepared to make the trip south? Would we be able to feed them all? Would we be able to entertain them? In the event, our anxieties were unfounded and everything went off very smoothly.
Thirty people arrived by bus in the late afternoon to join the dozen or so who had driven down or who had flown over from England, and the recently (and hastily) constituted ‘Entertainments Committee’ (see photograph on back cover) fed them all royally: salmon and ham, potatoes, and salad, followed by a variety of pies and gateaux. Synod business began at 7.30 with an address from the outgoing moderator, Rev. Tom Banham, and a communion service. The church looked magnificent in the evening sunlight, and a number of visitors said that they were so captivated by the beauty of the light through the western windows that they couldn’t concentrate on the hymn singing! The evening meetings were brought to a close by an address from Rev. Robert McKee, the incoming moderator. Supper followed.
Synod business proper began on the Wednesday morning and this was conducted with good humour, and a number of significant issues were raised. Principal among these was the name of the monthly magazine. Surely, someone suggested, there ought to be a better name than the unimaginative ‘The Non Subscribing Presbyterian’ and there was even talk of changing the name of the denomination itself to something a little more appealing and a little less negative. The year 2010 will mark the centenary of the denomination’s foundation, and so, it was suggested, this might be a good time to consider making the necessary image adjustments.
After an excellent three-course lunch in the St. Stephen’s Green Hotel, business meetings continued until late afternoon. Unfortunately, most of the delegates had to return to the north, but those who stayed enjoyed a pizza supper and some good old Dublin entertainment, provided in the main by our own Joe Burke.
All-in-all an excellent occasion which helped to cement our ties with this liberal group in the north. Everyone concerned felt that we would like to host it again in the near future.

Rev.Bill Darlison