THE Presbyterian Church formally installed its new Moderator last night as its annual decision-making meeting of lay people and clergy, the General Assembly, got underway.
At 50 years old, Dr William Henry, the minister of the Maze congregation in Co Antrim, is the youngest cleric elected to the role since 1931.
The father-of-three succeeds Dr Charles McMullen as the Church's chief public representative for the next 12 months.
In his address to a congregation of around 800 people in Belfast's Assembly Buildings last night, Dr Henry challenged the Church to "enjoy God".
"That enjoyment of God comes from a vibrant transforming relationship with God," he said.
"I believe that Christian joy gives us an entirely different way to get through life. The joy that God gives is so different it changes your life."
Reflecting on his year as Moderator, Dr McMullen spoke of his appreciation for the Church's many rural congregations across Ireland.
They were, he said, "part of the backbone of Presbyterianism for generations and are still central to the community as they seek to respond to contemporary challenges".
The General Assembly will discuss a range of Church business and public issues until Friday.
Most of its 26 sessions are open to the public.
