This weekend promises to be a memorable and historic one for Rector of Tenby, Canon David Jenkins, who is celebrating his 40th anniversary of ordination. To commemorate the occasion, a Celebration Parish Eucharist is being held at his parish church, St. Mary's, Tenby, at 10 am on Sunday, when the preacher and celebrant will be the Most Rev. Barry Morgan, Bishop of Llandaff and Archbishop of Wales, while at 6 pm Evensong and Sermon will take place when the preacher will be the Rector himself. A native of Mostyn, Flintshire, Canon Jenkins hails from a well established church family. His father was the vicar in Mostyn, while other relatives were also in the ministry. After graduating from Birmingham University where he studied medieval and modern history in 1963, he undertook a theology degree at St. David's College, Lampeter. On Sunday, July 24, 1965 (the Feast of St. James The Apostle, the Patron Saint of Spain), Canon Jenkins was ordained in Brecon Cathedral. His first posting was to the parish of Gorseinon and to Holy Trinity Church, which was in fact the first church in Great Britain to have an electric light fitted. It was during his time in Gorseinon that Canon Jenkins met and married his wife Ellen. From there, Canon Jenkins moved to Llanelli for five years, before being appointed to the parish of Clydach in 1972. During his 10 years in the parish, he also served as chaplain to Clydach Hospital. In 1982, Canon Jenkins moved to the parish of Llanrhos, the largest in North Wales. He was also Rural Dean of Llanrwst (Conwy Valley) and in 1993 was made a Canon at St. Asaph Cathedral. Canon Jenkins was inducted as the Rector of Tenby in April 1997. As well as his duties in the church, and the sister churches of St. Nicholas and St. Teilo, Penally, St. Lawrence, Gumfreston, St. Anne's, New Hedges, and St. Julian's, The Harbour, Canon Jenkins is actively involved with community life. He is chaplain to Tenby Cottage Hospital, the Tenby branch of the Royal British Legion and the Mayor. He is also vice-chairman of the governors of Tenby Infants School. In addition, he has served on the governing board of the Church in Wales for 18 years, and for the last 18 months, the representative body of the Church in Wales. Canon Jenkins and his wife have two sons, David, who lives in Llandudno, Jonathan in Wolverhampton, and Rhiannon in London. Canon Jenkins also has one sister, Daphne, who resides in Dyserth, near Rhyl, who hopes to be at the services on Sunday.
