THEY FILED in to the main hall of Church House, the headquarters of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, in a quiet, dignified manner, smartly dressed and prepared for their day of reckoning.

Former members of the Presbyterian Mutual Society, who had waited long, difficult months, some in great hardship, came to find answers to their prayers and a resolution to the crisis which has frozen millions of pounds in their accounts.

They hoped that a special assembly, which represents every Presbyterian congregation in Ireland, convened by Presbyterian moderator Dr Stafford Carson, would deliver answers.

The aim of the assembly, the first to be held for nearly 40 years, was to “consider the present situation for savers in the Presbyterian Mutual Society, and to respond to a recent initiative of the Northern Ireland Executive”.

It was a gathering of people of a certain age casting a stark reminder, if one was needed, that many of the stricken investors do not have time on their side as efforts continue to find a resolution. There were handshakes between old friends, greetings to fellow members of their community, but overall it was a day to get down to business.

Dr Carson opened proceedings with a short act of worship. He read from Ephesians Chapter 5, which urges the faithful to guard against impurity “or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people”.

Perhaps he chose this to underline his key message of the day that society members had been “thrifty savers, not risk-taking investors”, and therefore deserved sympathy rather than derision for a bad investment decision.

Prayers were recited and hymns sung by fervent, earnest voices, appealing for help and direction with what Dr Stafford referred to as the “PMS crisis”.

A respectful audience listened as he personally apologised to them for the “awful situation” members and savers had found themselves in. Dr Stafford said the church was deeply sorry, and wished it had never happened.

He spoke of a church plunged deep into difficult and unfamiliar waters, and of a congregation that was angry, sad and distressed.

He appeared to strike the right note with delegates who had the potential to erupt with fury over the wasted months during which the church appeared unwilling to listen to their plight.

After intense scrutiny and some good-natured debate, they voted in favour of eight resolutions put forward to the General Assembly that may create the foundations for a solution to the crisis.

As the rousing words of In Christ Alone rang through the hall, a swell of hope appeared to flow through the congregation of former society members.