A farewell service has been held for Steve Grasham, a member of the diocesan youth and children’s team, who will be heading west to Ireland this week to take up a new role with the Anglican Church of Ireland.
Steve and his wife Fran (pictured), an ordained priest, will both have new roles in the Church of Ireland. Steve has been appointed as Youth Ministry Development Officer to the southern province of the Church of Ireland, while Fran will be Chaplain to the Irish Defence force based at the Curragh and House for Duty Priest serving parishes in the local area.
Steve joined the Diocese of Bradford in 2008 as Diocesan Youth and Children’s Advisor after serving at St Mark’s Utley as Youth worker from 2001.
At a packed farewell service held at St Mark’s Utley, Steve and Fran were joined by former colleagues and youth workers, representatives of the diocese, Keighley churches, Scripture Union, the Otley Christian Resources Hub, CLIKS - Church links in Keighley schools which Steve helped set up - and the Children’s Society – Steve was made Diocesan president of the Children’s Society last year. Many spoke warmly of his work and ministry as well as the friendships made. The preacher and leader of the service were both long standing friends and colleagues - the Revd Canon Denise Poole and the Revd Mike Cansdale, Keighley Team Rector.
Steve commented, “ I’m really sad to be leaving friends and colleagues here as well as so many people who have shared in this ministry, but I am excited about moving to Ireland, to a new ministry and new opportunities.”