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Memorial bench to late Councillor dedicated

The late Councillor Stephen MooreREMEMBRANCE 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.  

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.

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.

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).

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).

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