Buckna

The speaker, Roberta Sherlock from Child Evangelism Fellowship, quoting from Malachi 3:6, “I the Lord do not change”, gave instances of how our world and country are changing and further quoting from Hebrews 13:8 continued, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever”.

She outlined the purpose of CEF which is to: Evangelise or tell the gospel; Edify disciples and Establish Churches.

Roberta went on to tell about her call into the CEF which, after training, led her to serve in Peru. The work there included training leaders, teaching in schools and establishing Good News Clubs in individual homes.

She spent 3 years in Peru and then felt God calling her home to Belfast through the verse in Genesis 31:3 when God said to Jacob, “Go back to the land of your fathers and to your relatives and I will be with you”.

Roberta came back and after some time in the office was appointed to the position of Local Worker in East Belfast. This work involves Schools’ Ministry, Good News Clubs and, in the summer, Five Day Clubs.

There have been challenges with the work but also successes. Roberta said that the task was overwhelming but that she was trusting in God and asked all to pray for the work that was being carried out.

The meeting closed with the singing of, “Great is thy faithfulness”.

After the Benediction everyone had a time of fellowship around a cup of tea provided by the ladies of Ravenhill.

A year in the life of Buckna Junior CE

My name is Mikey Blair and I am a member of Buckna Presbyterian Junior CE.

Every other Wednesday evening from September to March boys and girls age 4-11 meet together from 6.15pm –7.30 pm along with our four leaders in the church hall. During the meeting we enjoy taking part in different ways. Each meeting is led by a chairperson and other ways we take part include opening in prayer, leading the choruses, reading from the Bible, taking part in chain prayer and lifting the offering.

When we come to the topic times we are divided into two groups, an older and younger group and taught from the Bible. While one group is listening to the Bible lesson the other group plays fun games and then we change around.

At the beginning of each new Junior CE session in September we are put into teams with a team leader and are given marks each night if we wear our CE badge, bring our Bibles and answer questions. On the last meeting of the year at the end of March we have a party and the team with the most marks gets a prize. Every member is also given a gift on the final night.