105th Irish CE Union Convention

Convention Secretary reports on this years event

How many of you know where Buckna is? It is near Slemish which my long-ago geography lessons told me is a volcanic plug. Buckna was also the venue for the 105th Irish CE Convention committee meetings.

As Ballymena / Coleraine no longer has a Local Union Executive, I chaired these meetings, and the committee consisted of Ken, Jean, Julie and me. However, the Convention was organised with the minimum of fuss, and the committee worked very well together. Julie supplies a delicious range of biscuits for the inevitable cup of tea!

Being “on the ground”, Ken, Jean and Julie attended to all those myriad of small details which ensure that everything runs smoothly on the day, and I am so grateful for their total dependability.

This half day Convention proved to be a relaxed time of fellowship and teaching and we came away feeling:

“It was good for us to have been here, for here we met with the Lord.”

Convention Chairperson Rosemary McDaniel

Thank you to all involved in the convention competitions

Thank you to all the Juniors who took part in the Convention Competitions this year. Thank you to all the leaders who encouraged them to enter.

Very well done everyone and congratulations to those who won prizes. The standard was very good so the judges had a hard job to do. Thank you to the Caroline Edgar, Rosemary Carson and to the judges.

The results were as follows:

Christian fridge magnet, under 8 years:

1st Ruby Woods, Carryduff Presbyterian; 2nd Elira Nelson, Carryduff Presbyterian; 3rd Grace Logan, First Ards Presbyterian.

Invitation to CE event, 11 years & over:

1st Emily Loughridge, Magheramorne Presbyterian; 2nd Emma Montgomery, Magheramorne Presbyterian; 3rd Lydia Blair, Magheramorne Presbyterian.

Invitation to CE event, 9 & 10 years:

1st Lia Tweed, Magheramorne Presbyterian; 2nd Jessica Wilson, Magheramorne Presbyterian; 3rd Louise Semple, Magheramorne Presbyterian.

Invitation to CE event, under 8 years:

1st Langdon Woodfield, Magheramorne Presbyterian.

Christian fridge magnet 11 years & over:

1st Daisy Ferguson, Carryduff Presbyterian.

Christian fridge magnet 9 & 10 years:

1st Ariana Wilson, Carryduff Presbyterian; 2nd Rebecca Haws, Carryduff Presbyterian; 3rd Rebecca Haws, Carryduff Presbyterian.

CE poster, 9 & 10 years:

1st Alex Milne, Carryduff Presbyterian; 2nd Ariana Nelson, Carryduff Presbyterian; 3rd Holly Breen, Ballygawley & Ballyreagh Presbyterian.

CE poster, under 8 years:

1st James Hanna, Carryduff Presbyterian; 2nd Theo Woods, Carryduff Presbyterian; 3rd Joshua Somerville, Ballygawley & Ballyreagh Presbyterian.

Burning Bush poster, 11 years & over:

1st Daisy Ferguson, Carryduff Presbyterian.

Burning Bush poster, 9 & 10 years:

1st Alex Milne, Carryduff Presbyterian; 2nd Ethan Lynd, Ballygawley & Ballyreagh Presbyterian; 3rd Emma Hanna, Carryduff Presbyterian.

Burning Bush poster 8 years & under:

1st Abbie Knox, Ballygawley & Ballyreagh Presbyterian; 2nd Faith Lappin, Ballygawley & Ballyreagh Presbyterian; 3rd Joel Somerville, Ballygawley & Ballyreagh Presbyterian.

YP’s had a wonderful time at the convention and can’t wait until next year!

It was an early start in Fermanagh as we met at 9am to travel to 2nd Broughshane Presbyterian Church for the 105th CE Convention.

After a long journey, we met the others and went to Raceview Outdoor Karting to do some go-karting. We did the karting in two groups of 6, although my group ended up with only 4 by the last round! The competitive streak definitely came out in some people during the session, *cough* Andrea. Hannah even managed to do a 180^ turn on the track and was facing the wrong way!

After the fun go-karting, we were let loose in Ballymena to go round the shops. After food in the shopping centre, we did some bargain shopping. Emily got her bag and Bethany even got her ski gloves in the sale.

After shopping, we headed back to the church for some tea. Everyone made us so welcome and the food was soooo good!!! We even did some impromptu waitressing and let the women have their tea instead. We had a peep round the church and did some exploring while catching up with all the others who went to camp with us in the summer. It was then time for the service. We had praise time and then prayer.

MAF, the organisation that CE supported last year, spoke to us about what they had been doing the past year and how the money raised had helped them reach people who needed supplies in isolated places around the world.

We also heard from the new organisation that CE is supporting this year, REACH NI, who seek to support young people at risk of educational exclusion and struggling with behaviour and emotional difficulties.

The speaker, The Revd Stephen Kennedy spoke to us on the topic of, “All for Jesus”, and how all we have is because of Jesus and that all we do should be for Jesus. We really enjoyed listening to all who spoke at the service.

After the lovely service, we had tea and buns, and chatted to the people who attended the service. By that time, we were all exhausted and ready to head home to our beds! We are all thoroughly looking forward to next years Convention at Ballyhenry Presbyterian Church and can’t wait to see everyone again!

Inspiring Senior’s & Evening Rallies at this years Irish CE convention

Being out of CE for a number of years because the Senior Society in Buckna folded, it was good to attend the Senior Rally at the Convention, to meet friends and catch up with fellow Endeavourers whom I had not seen for a number of years.

The Senior Rally was well attended and it was interesting to take part in the meeting as I was asked to lead in prayer. Ken McGall conducted the meeting with Tom Irwin reading the Bible. The speaker was Ronnie Armour who is head of the Northern Ireland Prison Service. He gave us lots of facts and figures about the prisons and prisoners.

I was impressed by the fact that they do not just hold people but run vocational training, trying to equip people with trades and skills so that when they get out they will have a better opportunity to find work and so be less likely to end up in prison again. He also told us about the chaplaincy work which involves chaplains going into prison, talking to the inmates, giving out literature and holding meetings.

I also attended the Convention evening meeting and enjoyed the praise to our Great God, led by Buckna Praise Group.

The meeting was lead by the Irish CE President, Ruth Agnew. During the meeting we heard that over £5000.00 was raised for MAF, the Missionary project for last year, and we were also introduced to this year’s project which is, “Reach”. This is an organisation which I had not heard about before. It comes alongside young people who are struggling with life and seeks to encourage them on to know God’s way, and so enjoy life.

The speaker, the Revd Stephen Kennedy, spoke on the Convention theme, “All for Jesus”. He said all that we have as Christians is because of Jesus, and that our lives should be lived “all for Jesus” doing the works which The meeting ended with an enthusiastic rendering of, ”Ireland For Christ”, followed by a wee cup of tea.

Bertie Kidd

105th Irish CE Union Convention Programme

The 105th Irish CE Convention was held in 2nd Broughshane Presbyterian Church Hall on Saturday 21st September 2019.

The convention was a half day, with activities for Juniors and Seniors at 2.30pm, and a service at 7.30pm. Here is a brief outline of events:

2.30pm - Junior Rally: Craft, games, and the speaker is Mrs Ruth Agnew, Irish CE President. All children welcome.

2.30pm - Senior / Comrades Rally: The speaker at this event was Mr Ronnie Armour, Director General of the NI Prison Service, and a former President of Irish Christian Endeavour.

4.15pm - Annual General Meeting (AGM)

5.15pm - Tea

7.30pm Convention Rally: The speaker at this event was Rev Stephen Kennedy, who is the minister of Buckna Presbyterian Church.

This convention, like many others, was a great time of fellowship and teaching.

We look forward to seeing you at next year’s convention.

Yours SinCErely, Rosemary McDaniel General Secretary of Irish CE Union

ARMAGH & SOUTH TYRONE BELFAST SENIORS

“They were important to Jesus”

Armagh & South Tyrone’s new President’s theme as he speaks about Jesus’ willingness to reach out to children.

The Armagh & South Tyrone Union’s Annual Presidential Rally was held in 1st Portadown Presbyterian Church on the 29th April 2019.

We had a good night of praise with a number of people taking part from the different Societies in our Union. There was a good number of people present and Mrs Sandra Busby, our outgoing President, handed over the Chain of Office to the Reverend William Newell of the Dungannon Methodist Circuit. William’s theme for the year is, “They were Important to Jesus” He spoke on how Jesus was willing to reach out to the children, “Suffer the little children to come to me”.

A challenging message to all of us who work with children, in reaching out to them, and teaching them of the vital importance of following Jesus Christ. The Irish President, Mrs Ruth Agnew was in attendance and thoroughly enjoyed the programme. The Ladies of 1st Portadown Senior CE once again provided a beautiful supper.

Belfast Seniors urged to pray for missionary work here and in the Arab world

The Spring Rally of the Belfast Union of Comrades, Seniors and Former Members was held on Saturday 30th March in Ravenhill Presbyterian Church.

The Speaker was Mr Stanley Kyle who is gainfully employed by the Belfast City Mission and also is the Irish representative of the Arab World Missions.

Mr Kyle spoke convincingly of the good work going on in both areas and of the opportunities and encouragement which the Lord is presenting in both spheres of service.

He stressed the need for more prayer and invited his hearers to regularly join in prayer for the work in the Belfast area and in what are known as the Gulf States.

Work in this latter area can be fraught with danger.

As always, tea was served and cream scones and tray bakes enjoyed.

Members attending were drawn from eleven different Societies and with five apologies and a “bug” going around the last couple of weeks in March we can do nothing else but thank the Lord for His blessing and continued guidance.

Leslie Scott, Belfast Convenor.