Today was a special day for one of the members of Ballysillan Presbyterian Church, as Mrs Bessie Johnston celebrated her 100th birthday. It was also a special day for Presbyterian Moderator, Rt Rev Dr David Bruce, who was able to fulfil his first engagement as Moderator, since the lockdown restrictions eased.

On average, Moderators undertake over 300 engagements a year, representing the Church at home and overseas, encouraging ministers and their congregations across Ireland as they visit and preach in local churches on a Sunday, often twice. As PCI’s principal public representative, they would meet with elected representatives and Church leaders, chair internal meetings and attend State events, like tomorrow’s National Day of Commemoration in Dublin. They would also congratulate church members who celebrate their 100th birthday.

Born on this day in 1920, Mrs Johnston is a lifelong member of Ballysillan Presbyterian. The mother and grandmother, who spent part of her early life in Canada, worked as cleaner/housekeeper in her younger days before bringing up a family. The special birthday party, complete with a 100th birthday cake baked by her daughter, took place in her north Belfast garden.

“It was a privilege to be part of this special celebration and chat with Bessie. The times in which she was born, were turbulent times. The Irish War of Independence was raging, Ireland was on the cusp of partition and there were major riots in Belfast two weeks after she was born. The world was still reeling from the aftermath of the First World War and experiencing the tail end of the Spanish Flu pandemic. Much was happening then and much has happened during the past 100 years,” Dr Bruce said.

On average between 10 and 20 members of PCI reach the grand old age of 100 each year and today’s birthday was Dr Bruce’s first engagement as Moderator since his installation on 1 June. Significantly, it was the first ‘non- virtual’ engagement by a Moderator since his predecessor attended the 50th celebrations of Greystone Road Presbyterian Church in March, a week before the UK national lockdown.

“When I was elected Moderator-Designate in February, my expectations for my year in office were very different from the reality of my installation to the role in a near empty Assembly Hall last month, due to the pandemic. Everyone has had to make adjustments and has had to make sacrifices,” Dr Bruce said.

“And it is because of that collective sacrifice, lockdown is being eased and our churches have begun to reopen. As a result I am looking forward to going out and about, especially visiting them north and south, as I want to thank them personally for keeping on keeping on, even when they could not meet.”

Dr Bruce continued, “I want to thank them and their ministers for what they have done during this difficult time, even under lockdown, keeping faithful to the Great Commandment to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength – and your neighbour as yourself. From food deliveries, to picking up prescriptions, and making phone calls to the elderly and the isolated, people have been loving their neighbours, and I give thanks for that and want to hear what has been happening.”

Tentatively scheduled in for 20 September, Dr Bruce will take part in a service of thanksgiving at Dundonald Presbyterian, when members of the congregation come together to celebrate their 50th birthday, which will be the first time he will preach in a congregation as Moderator. Prior to that, he will also be making a number of video messages to various congregations and will continue with his recorded Sunday Service to the PCI family.

“Four Presbytery Tours have been scheduled, two this year and two in 2021. The principle aim of each tour is to encourage ministers and congregations in their ministry and to see the incredible work that the Church is doing in the community, often quietly behind the scenes,” Dr Bruce explained.

A weeklong tour of the Down Presbytery has been set for October and the Presbytery of Armagh the following month. Dates to tour the presbyteries of Derry & Donegal and the Presbytery of Ballymena have also been put in the diary for February and March respectively. A two-week overseas tour, which Moderator’s undertake, is yet to be confirmed.

“For followers of Christ, our lives are not our own, and whatever tentative plans we may have are very much in His hands. Moving forward, it is perhaps a reminder for us all to continuingly put our trust in Him. Whatever that may mean, I look forward to serving Him and His church,” Dr Bruce said.

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In a special interview written originally for the Presbyterian Herald ahead of his installation, Dr Bruce talks about his year in office with journalist and broadcaster, Will Leitch. You can read it here.