Prior to the June opening of this year’s General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland (PCI), the all-Ireland denomination has announced two important changes to its senior leadership – the appointment of Rev Dr David Allen, as Acting Clerk of the General Assembly and PCI’s Acting General Secretary, and Rev Peter Gamble as Deputy Clerk and Deputy General Secretary.
The appointments were made by PCI’s General Council, the Church’s senior decision-making body after the General Assembly, to facilitate the change in roles of the current Clerk of Assembly, Rev Dr Trevor Gribben, when he becomes Moderator during this year’s General Assembly.
“Trevor was appointed Clerk in 2014 and just as Moderators in parish ministry step away from their congregational responsibilities for the year that they are Moderator, Trevor will also lay down his various responsibilities as Clerk and General Secretary, to focus on his new role. As he enters his last few weeks as Clerk, while preparing for his forthcoming year as Moderator, we pray God’s richest blessings up on him,” Dr Allen said.
Currently, Dr Allen is Deputy Clerk of the General Assembly and Deputy General Secretary. He will take up his new role from 12 May 2025. His appointment will last until 31 August 2026, when Dr Gribben will return to his role as Clerk.
Following a recruitment process earlier in the year, the General Council appointed Rev Peter Gamble, minister of The Mall Presbyterian Church in Armagh, as Deputy Clerk and Deputy General Secretary. He will take up his new permanent role on 19 May.
The General Assembly will be opened by the current Moderator, Rt Rev Dr Richard Murray, on Tuesday, 10 June. He will preside over his successor’s service of installation the following afternoon, with the General Assembly continuing with its business until it closes on Thursday, 12 June.
You can read more PCI news on their website.