Bishop Harold thanks two diocesan staff
Margaret Wilson
Margaret Wilson has been my secretary for most of the 21st Century. So many clergy and others in the diocese have come to know her, both because of her friendliness and helpfulness on the phone, and also because of her warm extrovert personality ‘in real life’! She will be greatly missed by you and by me.
Two things have always struck me about the particular gifting of Margaret Wilson. First, her amazing network of people. So often, a message or phone call would come though from someone whom I didn’t know, but Margaret could immediately place them. And second, she had a photographic memory, which was a great help in finding or remembering things for someone with a less clear memory, like myself!
Margaret was equally at home helping with prayer ministry at Summer Madness or in her counselling role. She had a desire to see new young Christians disciples, and much of her spare time was given to this. I know she will not be short of things to do in the future, and that God will richly bless both Ronnie and her in the years to come.
Thank you, Margaret, for who you are and what you have given over those years to the diocese of Down and Dromore, and to me in your role as bishop’s secretary. We will miss you.
+Harold
Annette McGrath
Annette McGrath has been Diocesan Communications Officer for the last seven years in the diocese of Down and Dromore. That is no mean feat, as she has had to travel up and down from Kilkeel, where her husband Ken is rector. So many of you will have met Annette when you wanted to advertise or promote something, or when she was determined to get news out of you!
I want to say thank you to Annette for her work in the diocese. She has seen her role as a ministry and has brought her own personal faith and commitment together with a highly organised and logical mind. Most of Annette’s work has been part time, but she has given herself totally to it, and served full time during the year of Mission.
Under her watch, communications have developed greatly in Down and Dromore, and I can see her so often walking to the front of the General Synod to receive communications awards on behalf of the diocese or photographing others from parishes doing so. She has been a pleasure to work with.
May God bless you, Annette, in your new role in Kilkeel. We will miss you.
+Harold