Christ Conquers

Memories of the 40th Irish National CE Convention in 1954 by Isobel Arbuckle.

This article was first published in the September 2018 edition of the “Methodist Newsletter” and is reproduced with the permission of the Editor.

Reading the April edition of the “Methodist Newsletter” that the 104th Irish National Christian Endeavour Convention is to be held later this year set me reminiscing about the 40th Convention in 1954 in Lisburn.

Looking back, we were kept busy after school with lots of church activities, Junior Christian Endeavour in Clooney Hall, Londonderry, led by Louisa Lavery on a Wednesday night, consisted of prayers and singing choruses. We were all divided into different committees and everyone took part in some way, by saying a prayer or reading a verse from the Bible. Mrs Lavery would write a message on a “wee note” handed to us at the beginning of the meeting. The instructions on the note told us what to do at the appropriate time.

The Busy Bee Committee always stands out in my mind. We made sewing kits using felt with a tapestry cover and blanket stitch round the edge. Attached were sewing needles, darning needles, safety pins, buttons, black and white thread and a small pair of scissors. These were taken down to the Sailors’ Rest in Foyle Street to be distributed to the crews of the ships when they docked at the quay.

The JCE did their bit for the annual church “Sale of Work”. We took pride in choosing a piece of material from a lovely selection to make lavender bags, sewing two seams, putting in the lavender, and tying a nice ribbon round the top. How blessed we were to have such a devoted person as Mrs Lavery! She supplied all the materials herself, never mind the weight of stuff she had to carry down to the hall. Highlights every year were the nativity play at the Christmas carol service and the picnics, usually at Jack McElroy’s farm.

The 40th Irish National Christian Endeavour Convention in 1954, with its theme of, “Christ Conquers” was a special occasion for me. One night at our JCE meeting, Mrs Lavery had said there was a writing competition. I cannot remember exactly what the subject was but I can guess it was probably about our own particular JCE Society. I won the competition and my prize was a weekend in Lisburn for the 40th Convention, all expenses paid. Just imagine!

I travelled by train with Mrs Lavery, who was very much at home in Lisburn as both she and her husband, Tommy had grown up there. If my memory serves me right, I stayed with a Mr and Mrs McMillen and their son and daughter. They made me very welcome. Mrs Lavery had a sister in Lisburn and she stayed with her. I was eleven years of age and this was the first time I had been away from home without my father and mother.

Saturday afternoon was the main part of the Convention held in Seymour Street Methodist Church. I can remember the hall was packed tight when Mrs Lavery and I arrived. I had to be lifted over the seats to the front of the hall to sit on the platform with the Minister of the Church and other guests.

Everything was going great until I was asked if I had anything to say on behalf of my JCE Society. I was in shock and Mrs Lavery and I both agreed that a ”wee note” written out for me would have been handy.

Mrs Lavery went to her well-earned rest in her 99th year in 2006. Readers can work out for themselves what age I am!