At the XXIX Synod of the Diocese of the United Kingdom held on Saturday 10th July 2021, Bishop Mead announced the recipient of his 2021 Bishops Award for Outstanding Lay Service to the Diocese as Mrs Deborah Tesfaye.
Mrs Tesfaye is a member of the ACC Parish of St Alban the Martyr, Salford, Greater Manchester. During the Covid-19 Pandemic when, during periods when the Church building was not considered useable because of concerns about the size of the Church and the difficulty to abide by the regulations on Social distancing, Deborah allowed the congregation to worship at her cafe, a business she operates in the area.
Bishop Mead hopes to present the award in person on his next visit to the Parish.