Presbyterians pick new moderator

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Presbyterians across Ireland have picked a County Antrim cleric as the church's next moderator.

Rev Dr Donald Patton, 57, minister of Old Church, Randalstown, was nominated by 11 out of the 21 presbyteries.

He will take up office on 3 June, when Dr John Finlay steps down from the role at the church's next general assembly.

Rev Patton said he was "honoured" to have been selected and while he was "awed by the responsibility," he looked forward to the challenges ahead.

Rev Dr Joseph Fell, minister of Ebrington, Londonderry received six nominations, Rev Derek McKelvey of Fisherwick in Belfast, two, while Rev Dr Ruth Patterson of Restoration Ministries and Rev Norman Hamilton, Ballysillan received one nomination each.

Rev Patton described himself as "a warm evangelical teacher and pastor intent on reaching out with the Gospel to the wider community on issues that are relevant to them".

Born in Warrenpoint, County Down, Rev Patton spent his early years in Londonderry, before his father's work took the family to Portadown.

He attended Portadown College and later graduated from Queen's University, Belfast.

After ordination as assistant in Trinity Bangor in 1975 he became minister of First Dromore in 1977 and after six years was called to Greystone Road, Antrim.

He has been a minister in Randalstown for the last six years.

Dr Patton is a keen historian and was convenor of the Presbyterian Historical Society from 1990 until 1996.

He is married to Florence and has two sons, two daughters and a grandson.

The 21 presbyteries met independently across the island of Ireland on Tuesday to vote.

Each presbytery - a governing body representing about 25 congregations - nominated one person.

The names were then communicated to Church House in Belfast where the result was declared.

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