The Benefice of St. Mary's has been busy preparing for the induction and installation of their new Rector. It has been 10 months since Canon David Jenkins retired and the excitement of having a new Rector was almost tangible. St. Mary's rang to the sound of music along with 600 voices on this special evening. Among the guests were members of Rev. Davies's family, friends, colleagues, fellow clergy from all denominations and community leaders. Also present was 100-year-old Mrs. Gwenith James, who had been Rev. Davies's neighbour in St. Mary's Street when he was curate in the parish. The service was in the care of the Lord Bishop of St. David's , the Right Rev. Carl Cooper assisted by the Archdeacon of St. David's, the Venerable Dr. John Holdsworth, and the Rural Dean of Narberth, Rev. Canon Michael Butler. The tower bells called all to worship, whilst in the church, prior to the service, as guests were arriving, the gathered were treated to a musical extravaganza from the Tenby Male Voice Choir, St. Mary's 'In Tune' Youth Choir and Ensemble, St. Mary's Handbell Ringers and the Trumpet Section of The Salvation Army. The service began with the combined choirs of St. Mary's, Tenby and St. John's, Pembroke Dock singing the introit - 'My beloved Spake,' newly- written by Andrew Cusworth for this service. The processional hymn was 'Thy hand, O God, has guided'. The procession, led by the crucifer, Mr. Lynn Rees, processed around the church. Following him were the choirs, the verger, Mr. Geoffrey Rees, The Bishop, Archdeacon and Rural Dean. The Rector, Andrew Davies, was escorted by his church wardens, Mrs. Valerie Paley and Mr. Clive Webb. They were followed by robed clergy from Ceredigion, Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire and Caldey. Bishop Carl welcomed all and introduced the participants. The first reading from the Old Testament was given by Rev. Thelma Barber and the second, from the New Testament was read by Miss Bethan Rogers. Bishop Carl gave the third reading. The readings were followed by the hymn 'There is a Redeemer'. Bishop Carl delivered the address and asked everyone to remember the human qualities that Christians require. We must touch each other's lives. The hymn 'All the way my Saviour leads me' was sung after the address. The presentation of Rev. Andrew to the Bishop by the church wardens followed, and Andrew was duly licensed. Then followed The Promises made by Rev. Andrew to the Bishop and members of the local church, Mrs. Ruth Webb, Miss Jean Williams and Miss Margaret Brown. Following The Promises, the choir sang the anthem 'O come ye servants of the Lord.' During the induction and installation, the Archdeacon and Rural Dean led Rev. Andrew around his new church and there followed the presentation of gifts symbolising the work of the priest in the parish. Mr. Peter Smith presented a large vessel of water, Mrs. Vicky Chiffi presented a Bible on behalf of the PCC. The church wardens presented bread and wine, Mrs. Ruth Webb, the secretary of the PCC, presented a vessel of oil. The area Dean presented a Book of Common Prayer. Mrs. Suzanne Bevan, of Mothers' Union, and Mrs. Claire Webb, of the Sunday Club, presented a Book of Prayer, while Ben Prestwich and Gabby Coates presented a stole from Sunday Club. The other churches in the benefice also gave gifts. Miss Margaret Brown, church warden at Penally, gave a Celtic cross, Miss Jean Williams, church warden at St. Anne's, New Hedges, gave a book and Mr. Trevor Silverman, church warden at St. Lawrence, Gumfreston, gave a well water. There followed the hymn 'Christ our stable-born Redeemer', written by Rev. Peter Rowell, sacristan at St. Mary's in the '70s. Members of the community also greeted Rev. Andrew. First to welcome him was the Mayor of Tenby, Clr. John Griffiths, followed by Rev. Nanette Lewis-Head, Clr. Mrs. Carol Cavill, Clr. Mrs. Rosemary Hayes, Mrs. Gill John, Mr. Fred Broomhead, Mrs. Nicole Evans, Dr. Anne Kelly, Mr. Matt Goldwait and Mr. Don Ramsay. Rev. Andrew was then invited to announce any notices and services in the parish on the coming Sunday. Revs. Holdsworth and Butler led the intercessions and Bishop Carl gave the Grace. The verger led the procession to the West Door to the hymn 'Crown him with many crowns', where the new incumbent and the Bishop greeted all who had attended this wonderful occasion. Refreshments were provided at Church House - a marvellous opportunity to meet and greet each other. The congregation of St. John's, Pembroke Dock, was magnanimous in its loss of a wonderful minister and the Benefice of St. Mary's was delighted to have a new captain at the helm.