Carole’s Diary

It has been quite a while since I have last written, so there is a lot to report on.  I really thank God for his faithfulness and for giving me the strength to carry out so many visits over the year.  Thank you for all the invitations I have received over the year and it has been a joy to meet so many C.E members all over the country.  

Irish Council Meeting 28^th February

I chaired my first Irish Council meeting and made sure that everyone got home in time for their lunch. 

March

 

Ballygawley and Ballyreagh Junior C.E 

My husband and I enjoyed a delicious dinner with Rosemary and her family before going to meet her Junior C.E. It was great to see so many children come into the hall that evening all so keen to learn more about God.  All the boys were delighted my husband played football with them and wanted him back every week!  The meeting was lead by the Juniors and they taught me some new choruses.  Pray that this C.E. will continue to grow and have new leaders to help out with the weekly meetings. 

Drumlough Presbyterian JCE

I was invited to be the guest speaker at their Annual C.E Service. The service was lead by the Juniors who said prayers, poems and song.  It was great to see everyone taking part and demonstrating what we do weekly at C.E.  Please pray that this C.E. will continue to grow and that they will be able to meet the needs of their older members.   

Irish Y.P Night

As the current Y.P Convenor I had organised with the help of my assistant Debbie Lockhart a Y.P evening for all the Young People’s societies to come together for a night of fellowship and fun.  This is the first time a night like this had been planned and we were delighted that it was attended so well by so many societies.  You can read a full account of the evening later in the magazine.  Thanks for all those who helped out to make the night such a success. 

Dunluce Junior CE Service

I was delighted to attend Dunluce C.E Service on Mothering Sunday.  All members were involved in the service and took part really well.  We all got involved with singing some of the Juniors favourite songs which took us all back to our childhood. Thanks Gwen tor the lovely Sunday lunch we received after church.  Pray that this C.E numbers will increase and that the leaders will not be discourage due to fewer members attending the weekly meetings.     

Togherdoo JCE

I was welcomed by an enthusiastic group of children and joined in with their games and C.E meeting.  The children listen really well to my talk and asked lots of questions.  As I have visited each Junior society they have taken part in a hula-hooping quiz and the best hula-hoopers were made at this C.E.  Please prayer for Hazel and her team of leaders us they lead this C.E.  
 

Top Society Quiz

I had never attended the Top Society Quiz before and I was very impressed by the work each team had put into preparing for this competition.  I had the honour of marking the team’s answers and presenting the prizes.   

Gardenmore Juniors

This was parent’s evening at Gardenmore so the hall with packed with Mummies, Daddies, Grannies, Granddads and Junior C.E. members.   It was great to see the members taking the evening and getting their parents involved in the quiz.  I was able to share my theme with the group ‘Jesus Christ Heaven’s Champion’ and give each member a bracelet to remember the message.    

Gardenmore Y.P

After the Junior meeting I headed across the corridor to another hall to take part in the Young People’s evening.  It was great to see such a good number of young people meeting to study God’s word. I was made to feel most welcome and I enjoyed my time getting to know the young people that night. 

April

Senior Rally

It was a privilege to be at the Senior Rally in Ravenhill and take part in their meeting.  There was a great friendly atmosphere were everyone was made feel most welcome.  It was lovely to see so many still interested in C.E. and sharing their love for Christ with others.  Please pray for the senior groups and thank God for their faithfulness to Christian Endeavour over the years.   

Immanuel Y.P

On Sunday afternoon I visited a great group of young people in Immanuel Presbyterian Church.  They did a really good job of leading the meeting and singing.  I was the guest speaker for the afternoon and thanks to all so sorted the IT equipment out for me.  It was good to chat and catch up with the group and to encourage them in their own personal journeys.     

Irish Talent Contest

I was taken back to the days when I used to take part in the talent contest which brought back great memories.  We have great talent in C.E and it makes me excited about the future of Irish C.E as God is modelling our young people for great things.  Pray that many other societies will take part in the Talent Contest next year and for Aunt Rosemary as she organises the event. If you have never been it’s a great afternoon out and you will be better entertained than the X Factor or Britian’s Got Talent!

May

Clonaneese Y.P

It was great to see so many young people meeting together on a Sunday night at Clonaneese Young People’s society.  All the young people were involved in the meeting and it was great to see the young people using their musical talents to praise the Lord.  We were made to feel most welcome and even had the got to take part in one of the quizzes challenges.  We really enjoyed Andy Condy’s skipping and if he keeps it up he might make the Olympics in 2012!  Thank the Lord for the commitment of the leaders in this society and pray that their young people will continue to grow in their faith.     

Enniskillen Union C.E Celebration

There was a great atmosphere of excitement and joy at this service, with a packed church and a new CE joining the union.  It was great to see Stephen Rowe hand over the Presidential chain to Avril Graham and to see everyone taking part in the service.  As this is my home union I was made feel most welcome and it was lovely to catch up with my friends.  Pray God will continue to strengthen the union and help them plan the next Irish C.E Convention.   

Sydenham Methodist Junior and Y.P C.E Service

There is great support for C.E in this church and it was lovely to see so many people out on their C.E Sunday to show their support.  The service was taken by the Juniors and Young People through poems, singing, bible reading, prayers and interviews.  I delivered the sermon for the service and thanks to young person who provided me with technical support.  It was so encouraging to see that God has been working in the lives of the young people in this area through Christian Endeavour.  Pray that their leaders will feel encouraged as they start another year in leadership.    

Lisbellaw Junior and Y.P Service

This is my own society, so I invited Rev Howard to be the speaker but I didn’t get away with sitting back to relax as I had to play the piano for the service.  The juniors and young people took part in singing, dramas, prayers and interviews.  The service ended with supper and a farewell party for Tim and Caroline Howard as they head back to Amercia after living in Lisbellaw for 3 years.  Please pray for them as they settle into their new schools and universities in September.   

Westbourne JCE

I got a warm welcome from all members of the Westbourne C.E.  I even got to help out with making bookmarkers with some of the Junior members.  I was very impressed by the talent that was displayed that night through duets, poems and piano playing. 

June

 

Armagh and South Tyrone Presidential Rally

It was lovely to be invited to attend Armagh and South Tyrone Presidential Rally.  This was one evening when I felt nervous, as I knew that there would be a lot of ‘Professional’ speakers in the congregation.  But our Heavenly Father never lets us down and with His help I was able to share what He had laid on my hear.  Pray for Des Buchanan as he takes on the role as President over the coming year.   

East Antrim Presidential Rally

Every Presidential Rally is so different and it was great to be able to attend East Antrim rally as a good friend of mine Gillian Ferguson was coming in as President.  The church was packed with local C.E societies, friends and family.  Gillian’s own C.E, Carrickfergus Junior Methodist performed a number of songs and a drama.  Pray that Gillian will know God’s presence as she carries out this important role for the union over the next year.   
 

Fivemiletown Methodist JCE

My last Sunday service as the Irish President, time has really flown in quickly .  This was the Sunday School and C.E Service.  I had the privilege of delivering the sermon to the children at this special service.  I was so impressed with the teddy bears the Juniors had made out of old jeans and they were really proud of their own work.  The C.E is currently supporting one of their leaders Ruth Wilson who is serving God in the mission field in Gambia and it was great to hear that she had send them a letter to read out at the service and that the C.E continues to support her in prayer through the year. 

July

Y.P Camp

The summer had started and the sun was shining for Young People’s Camp. This year there was 17 enthusiastic campers. It was a delighted to lead this camp with a great group of leaders who were willing to serve the campers with a Christ like character for the week.  Both the campers and leaders learnt a lot from this week and please continue to pray that God will use these young people where they are to serve Him.   

Junior Camp

I was met by lots of noisy children playing games and getting ready for their evening entertainment.  It was great to see that Junior Camp was over booked and that the children were already looking forwards to next year’s camp!  I came to visit on the last evening so the leaders were feeling a bit tired but that didn’t stop them giving a 100% to the evening programme.  Pray that these children will remember what they have learnt at camp and put into action what they have been taught.