Sunday, saw the five churches of our benefice meeting together for the final time, as we prepare for the benefice to be dissolved on March 19.

Farewells were said to Penally and Gumfreston churches and also to Rev. Robb Wainwright, who now takes them with him into a new pastoral grouping with Manorbier, St. Florence and East Williamston churches.

This is not a complete ending, of course, because we will all be part of the wider new Local Ministry Area of Narberth-Tenby, which will be made up of 20 churches, from Amroth in the east, to Robeston Wathen heading north, Lawrenny to the west and Manorbier in the south. However, this is the end of the Rectorial Benefice of Tenby, formed in 1985.

We used Sunday’s service as an opportunity to offer to God our renewed commitment to Him and to our new future arrangements here. We further asked for God’s blessing on us all, and especially to thank Robb and his wife, Lindy, as new challenges await them in the coming years.

After the Service of Holy Eucharist, our Rector, Canon Andrew Grace, spoke in his usual heart warming yet amusing style to publicly express the gratitude of himself, the wider clergy team and the entire church family for all Robb has contributed as Team Vicar over the past six years. Rector’s warden, Nicole Evans, enthusiastically added to the sentiments already expressed and presented a gift to Robb and flowers to Lindy.

A sincerely warm response from Robb was very well received, while parishioners enjoyed delicious canapés and wine, served by the now almost world famous team of caterers, The Soupermen.

G.D.