Armagh & South Tyrone Presidential Rally 2011
The Presidential Rally is always an important event within our local union. This is when the outgoing President waves goodbye to his/her chain and passes it to the new President.
To begin, a group from Clonaneese Young Peoples/Young Adults (YA/YP) led the congregation in praise. After a stuttering start everyone was soon in good singing form! The outgoing President, Dr. Evan Sharkey welcomed everyone and chaired the proceedings. Our first hymn was entitled ‘Our Hope is built on Nothing Less’ reminding us that our hope is built on Jesus Christ. Sandra Busby (Ballygawley/Balyreagh) opened our meeting in prayer.
We were then treated to a beautiful duet ‘My Troubled Soul’ with ‘Leaning, Leaning’ sang by Amy and Hannah Williamson (Clonaneese YP). The secretary: Mrs Rosemary McDaniel presented her annual report and slipped in a reminder concerning our next major event - The Irish Convention, 16th & 17th September in Dungannon.
During the offering the congregation sang the poignant words ‘Take my Life and let it be.’ Following, we had the pleasure of congratulating: Christopher Bradley, Katie McCullough and Adam McFadden on their completion of the National Awards Scheme. We appreciate the hard work that was involved in completing this process and congratulate them on their success.
Jill Ryans (Tandragee) read from Acts 2:1-5; 14, 41-47. Before the installation of the new President; sisters, Amy and Hannah sang their second piece entitled ‘Mighty is the Power of the Cross.’
In his last role as the Armagh and South Tyrone C.E. President, Dr. Evan Sharkey thanked the C.E. societies, who welcomed him and the support of the executive. Dr. Evan Sharkey handed the chain to Rev. Alan Thompson officially installing him as the new President.
Rev. Alan Thompson added a little fizz to the rally introducing his love of Coca Cola! His excitement was bubbling over as he explained that this year was the 125th Anniversary of the Coca Cola company and as the slogan suggests, ‘125 years of happiness.’ This famous company has an ambitious vision: that no person on earth will die without tasting a Cola Cola product.
Psalm 34:8 says:
Taste and see that the LORD is good!
Cola Cola it’s the real thing. Is it? We know what the real thing is or rather who is the real thing. We know who can give real life and to the FULL. No one on earth should die without tasting and seeing that the LORD is good! Is this our vision?
Rev. Alan Thompson referred to the passage in Acts 2 that Jill Ryans read. This text relates to Pentecost and the start of the New Testament Church. Three points were highlighted from this new vibrant church, which should challenge our work in C.E. they are:
- Commitment to God’s Word and prayer
- Commitment to each other
- Commitment to bring others into the church
The church was and still is created through God’s Word. At Pentecost Peter preached the Word and 3,000 souls were saved. We were reminded that the church is shaped by God’s Word and that we are moulded into the shape of Jesus as they allow the Word to take control. Therefore, we should be obeying and sharing God’s Word so that we can be shaped and moulded into His people. Likewise with prayer, the early church prayed and shared together. Commitment to God’s Word and prayer can be translated to our C.E. societies as C.E. is an important aid to teaching and training young Christians. Indeed, like all organisations it should be bathed in prayer and young people within the various societies should be encouraged to make this a habit.
The early church had a deep commitment to each other. They cared and shared together through their common bond in Christ Jesus. They supported each other while working together to give glory to God. As a C.E. part of the promise is to ‘promote each other’. We need to have ‘heart’ fellowship. To weep with those who weep and rejoice with those who rejoice. As we deepen in our faith, we should in turn deepen our fellowship.
V47 …And the Lord added to the church daily…Jesus is the real thing and the New Testament church displayed this through their life and witness. As a result, outsiders were drawn/attracted to their faith. This should be our vision within our societies that the reality of Jesus is seen in us in such a way that others are drawn, because they see Jesus shining through us.
Following these challenges, Rev. Thompson finished with this question:
What is the vision for Armagh and South Tyrone C.E?
Rev. Thompson closed in prayer and we sang our final hymn: Lord of the Church.
