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 REMEMBRANCE Sunday had an even more special meaning for the
family of the late Stephen Moore this year, when the Rev Thomas
Martin (Minister of Lisburn Free Presbyterian Church) assisted
by the Rev Dr Fred Greenfield (Minister of Dunmurry Free
Presbyterian Church) dedicated a bench in Rowan Drive, Seymour
Hill in memory of the Dunmurry Cross DUP Councillor who died
last January 2007 at the age of just 37.
Dedicating the bench the Rev Martin, a personal friend of
Stephen, thanked all who had gathered to show their friendliness
for their late brother saying that this memorial bench is but a
tangible symbol of our affection for him but we carry our love
for him in the depths of our hearts. Mr Martin recalled the day
when Stephen became a Christian and gave thanks saying that
although he was absent from the body, he was present with the
Lord. He continued, 'Although we have today in his memory his
name inscribed on this bench, but better still, his name is
indelibly inscribed in the Lamb's Book of Life'.
Stephen was born on 14th April 1969, third of five children
(three sisters and one brother). He attended Seymour Hill
Primary and Dunmurry High School. Typical of many boys, Stephen
loved football and while schoolwork held few attractions, he did
enjoy drama and played major roles in the annual school play at
Dunmurry High. As anyone who knew him would understand, this
dramatic flair followed Stephen into adult life.
In 1983, while employed as a paperboy at Hall's Newsagent,
Stephen met his future wife Stephanie who worked after school in
the same shop. Stephen worked hard at teasing and winding
Stephanie up, so their relationship didn't exactly get off to a
very good start.
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At the dedication of a memorial
bench to the late Councillor Stephen Moore at
Seymour Hill last Sunday morning are Stephen's
parents Jim and Marlene Moore, members of the Moore
family circle and some of his many friends from
Lisburn City Council. Included in the photo are the
Rev Dr Fred Greenfield (Minister of Dunmurry Free
Presbyterian Church) and the Rev Thomas Martin
(Minister of Lisburn Free Presbyterian Church) who
conducted the service. |
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At the dedication of a memorial bench to the
late Councillor Stephen Moore at Seymour Hill last
Sunday morning are L to R: Paul McCord, Carol Ann
McCord, Jim Moore, Marlene Moore, Darren Moore,
Denise Moore, Amanda Gardner and Darren Gardner.
Also included are Rachel McCord (left on seat) and
Rebekah McCord (right on seat).
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After leaving school Stephen had many different jobs but wasn't
able to find the job that fulfilled him and that he really
enjoyed, so he went to Australia with a view to emigrating. But
he become very homesick and returned home where, with the
guidance of his grandmother - the late Elizabeth (Betty) Moore
and the support of his good friend, Geoffrey Phillips, he began
to attend various churches in the area. He joined the badminton
club in Seymour Hill Methodist Church where he came under a
number of helpful influences and also joined the Dayspring
Fellowship. On 16th October 1990, Stephen gave his life to Jesus
and a short time later was baptised in Lisburn Congregational
Church. On the front page of his Bible Stephen had identified
some verses which spoke directly to him, especially John 6:37 ''
and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out', as well
as Ephesians 2:8-9.
Having finally discovering what he had travelled around the
world looking for, the direction of Stephen's life changed. He
began to attend Lisburn College and, after re-sitting his high
school exams, studied catering and qualified as a chef in 1995.
In the meantime, Stephanie had gone to England to study Nursing.
She returned in 1992 to discover the 'new' Stephen Moore and the
couple quickly got to know each other. They began dating on 21st
June 1992; got engaged two months later and were married in
Dunmurry Free Presbyterian Church on 5th August 1993.
Stephanie recalls that one of the hymns at their wedding was 'I
know who holds the future' which contains the following
appropriate words:
I do not know how many days of life are mine to spend;
but one who knows and cares for me will keep me to the end:
I know who holds the future, and He'll guide me with His
hand;
with God things don't just happen, everything by Him is
planned.
Like any married couple, Stephen and Stephanie had their ups and
downs, but they worked through these and went on to have four
beautiful daughters ' Annastasia (13), Alexandra (10), Nadezhda
(8) and Clarissa (4) who Stephen loved dearly and who will
really miss their Daddy for the rest of their lives. Stephen and
Stephanie ran a Good News Club in their home which allowed them
to share their faith with children in the area and Stephen even
used his catering skills to help out with the cooking at the
local Christian camps.
Stephen was a member of the Orange Lodge, Royal Black Preceptory
and Apprentice Boys. His interest in local politics led to him
standing for election in Dunmurry Cross as a DUP representative
in 2000. On that occasion, he missed being elected by a small
margin but was returned to Lisburn City Council in 2004.
Stephen's genuine concern for the local people was apparent to
all who knew him but unfortunately, due to ill health, he was
unable to represent them as well as he would have liked.
Regrettably this ill health was eventually to claim his young
life and at the age of just 37, Stephen died on 17th January
2007. Stephanie said, 'His untimely death shook the family to
the very core and our lives will never ever be the same again.
He will never see his daughters grown up or experience the
thrill of being a grandfather and he has already missed his
precious youngest daughter starting school just a few months
ago'. But she says, 'We have the comforting assurance of knowing
that Stephen is now with the Lord Jesus which is far better
(Revelation 21:4) and that one day we will be re-united with him
in heaven'.
Stephanie concluded: 'I would like to thank all the councillors
from Lisburn City Council, especially Stephen's DUP colleagues
and all our friends and family who continue to support us
through this very difficult time. I deeply appreciate all they
have done and continue to do for us'.
For pictures taken at the Royal British Legion (Lisburn Branch)
Remembrance Day Parade ' 2007 (including some photos at Seymour
Hill) click on:
Rememberance Day Parade
11/11/2007
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