The Moderatorial Pectoral

Rev Sam Peden wearing the Moderatorial Pectoral

In his account of this year’s General Synod, published in the September (2016) issue of The Non-Subscribing Presbyterian magazine, the Clerk of Synod referred to a medallion or pectoral (decoration worn on the chest) presented at the meeting by the Revs Brian and Lena Cockroft.

​This jewel is for wear by the Moderator of the denomination, to indicate his or her role when not robed. It features the Burning Bush, the symbol of the denomination, and the inscription ‘Moderator of the NSPCI’.

The pectoral was commissioned by the Revs Brian and Lena from Steensons Goldsmiths based in Glenarm, Co Antrim, and was presented as a gift by the “Two Revs”.
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The presentation is recorded in the inscription on the reverse of the pectoral, which is also engraved with the dates during which they themselves served as Moderators.

Rev Lena and Rev Brian Cockcroft at Dromore Non-Subscribing Presbyterian Church

This generous gift is bound to be greatly cherished by the present Moderator and appreciated by generations of his successors, just as “the Two Revs” themselves are cherished by all of us in the denomination.

(Source: The Non-Subscribing Presbyterian, October 2016)

Our own Rev Sam has been associated with the church for over 50 years - as member, committee member, treasurer, Elder, Sunday School superintendent and lay preacher.

He studied for the ministry and was licensed by Presbytery of Bangor in 1996,  installed to the charge of Dromore by Presbytery on 19th October 2001.
Rev Sam served two terms as Moderator of the General Synod of the Non--Subscribing Presbyterian Church of Ireland and helped raise over £76,000 for The Friends of the Cancer Centre, Belfast City Hospital.

You can read about Rev Sam's last service in Dromore here: I (still) need thee every hour...