Rev. Tina Parry has been licenced as Priest in Charge of the Benefice of Moorland, Egloskerry and Lanstephan by the Bishop of Truro, the Rt. Rev. David Williams. The service at St Paternus’ Church North Petherwin was a joyous occasion with many people having travelled from Rev. Tina’s former parishes in Wales to support her. Canon John Connell, from Newport Cathedral, who had been involved with Rev. Tina’s training, expressed regret that she had chosen to leave Wales and said that Cornwall was gaining an outstanding priest and person.

The service was full of symbolism and the churchwardens of the eight parishes in the Benefice, carrying their wands of office, escorted the Bishop as Rev Tina was presented with a Bible by our Reader, James Wonnacott, and then moved to the font where Bill Willis presented water from the Holy Well in the meadow below the church that still supplies water for Baptisms. Then the procession returned to the front of the church and Dorothy Banks of Trewen presented a prayer book. The Archdeacon of Bodmin, the Ven. Kelly Betteridge, and the Rural Dean, Rev. Canon. Lynda Barley installed Rev. Parry after she had been formal licensed by the Bishop.

The Bishop put aside the sermon he had prepared and talked about the links between Wales and Cornwall stretching back to the early saints, many of whom came from Wales to establish churches in Cornwall. And he entreated the congregation to go away and read the New Testament reading chosen for the service, Philippians 4:4-9, saying that reveals what Rev. Tina offers the parishes. The Old Testament lesson was read by the Rev. Canon James Henley, leader of the East Cardiff ministry area and the New Testament lesson was read by Miss Caroline Stone, the Benefice Administrator.

With such a large Welsh contingent in the church the final hymn ‘Guide me O thou great Redeemer’ was sung with particular gusto. The organist was Mrs Sarah Vinson, Lay Chair to Trigg Major Deanery and in that capacity she presented Rev. Tina with flowers and the Mayor of Launceston, Cllr Nicola Gilbert and representatives of local schools also welcomed Rev. Tina.

After the service refreshments were served in the Parish Hall with the Welsh visitors especially enjoying the pasties that made up part of the generous spread of food.