Connor MU presentation to Archdeacon Stephen McBride
At a meeting of Connor MU Diocesan Council held in St Patrick’s, Ballymena, on Tuesday 8th April 2025, Connor MU Diocesan President, Alison, made a presentation to Archdeacon Stephen McBride to mark his stepping down from the role of Diocesan Chaplain after 12 years.
Speaking on behalf of Connor MU members, Alison said: “I would like to acknowledge with grateful thanks your unstinting dedication and commitment over those 12 years to our aims, objectives and work.
“We have appreciated and benefited from your meticulous attention to detail as you led us in prayer and worship at meetings of Trustees, Executive and Council.”
She went on to highlight in particular the Archdeacon’s “spiritual and practical wisdom, support, encouragement and friendship which you always willingly placed at our disposal and which all members greatly valued”.
In thanking him for his time and work faithfully given to MU in the Diocese, Alison said that members were delighted to know that he would be continuing as All Ireland Chaplain, “so you will not be totally lost to us”.
In reply, Archdeacon McBride said that he was “humbled by the very kind words of appreciation of our new Diocesan President”.
He added: “The past twelve years have been such a joy to be so closely affiliated with our Diocesan Mothers’ Union members and to support the two Diocesan Presidents with whom I worked, Valerie and Sally.
“I wish God’s richest blessing on Alison as she takes up her new responsibilities, along with Moira Thom, Diocesan Secretary, the Revd Louise Stewart, Diocesan Chaplain, and all the new Trustee members.”
Report by the Revd Clifford Skillen
