On Saturday (September 1) St. John’s Church in Tenby celebrated the induction of the Revd. Stella Hayton as Minister of Word and Sacrament to the South Pembrokesgire Pastorate.

It was a lovely early Autumn day and the church was full of visitors, both local and from ‘abroad’ (i.e England).

With the Synod Clerk, Revd. Adrian Bulley standing in for the Wales Synod Moderator, Revd. Simon Walkling, who was indisposed, the service began with an Introit; Adrian as cantor and the congregation singing responses.

This was followed by sentences from scripture and then the first hymn.

All hymns were chosen by Stella for their appropriate and meaningful words, and the tunes were chosen by St. John’s member, Ron Hurlow.

Adrian led the Prayers of Praise and Confession and the statement of purpose i.e an explanation of this special service, following the procedures of the United Reformed Church.

Representing the sister churches, Janice from Templeton and Linda from Pembroke, led the Old and New Testament passages of scripture.

Stella’s friend, Revd. David Gent, a priest in the Anglican church, gave the sermon. He was delighted, he said, to be given the chance to preach at an induction service, as he would never, and has never, been given the opportunity in the Anglican tradition.

He spoke about our walking together in the furtherance of faith. There is an Oxiam, he said: “If you want to walk quickly, walk alone; if you want to walk long, walk together.”

He enlarged on this in a light hearted but thoughtful address.

The following hymn - with its ‘different’ words, was written by Nick Fawcett in ‘Uncommon Worship’ but to a well-known tune.

Revd. Martin Spain then made formal presentation of the candidate and the Revd. Cathy Gale, representing the Methodist church, gave the formal welcome.

Stella herself made her Ministerial statement about her call to ministry, which began when she was induced, as a spouse in her husband’s call to ministry, and she said a little about her ministry in Yorkshire and Somerset.

Tenby Church secretary Graham Powell spoke the ‘narrative of the call’ which explained the way in which the South Pembrokeshire Pastorate members called Stella to be our minister.

Revd. Sally Thomas, Ecumenical Officer for the Wales Synod, conducted the ‘Nature, faith and order’ statement of the United Reformed Church, to which the congregation responded, and Adrian, acting on behalf of the moderator, spoke to Stella of her affirmation of faith and promises to serve as a minister in the URC.

In response, the assistant Synod chair of the Methodists in Wales asked the congregation to affirm their faith and acceptance of Stella, after which the Superintendent if the South West Wales Methodist Church and the Synod clerk for the URC asked the congregation to accept and support Stella in her ministry.

The third hymn was followed by prayer and the Declaration of Induction by Adrian.

Then there were greetings from representatives of the local churches and community.

Revd. Andrew Grace, from St. Mary’s Church, Capt Morgan of the Salvation Army Mr. Bryn Rees from Deer Park Baptists, the Mayor of Pembroke, Mr. Andrew Davies the Tenby town clerk, and Mrs. Eluned Brown on behalf of St. John’s congregation.

Welcome gifts were presented to Stella by Kathryn from Pembroke Tabernacle, Edward from Reynalton, Meirion from Templeton, Carol from St John’s, Rev. John Hayton led the Prayers of Intercession and the Lord’s Prayer, and to the tune of ‘Hyfrydol’ we sang the final hymn.

Stella spoked the Dismissal and Blessing and gave the invitation to tea in the large hall to all present.

A magnificent tea had been prepared by the willing ladies of St. Johns, which was much enjoyed, and where lots of people had a chance to chat with friends and visitors and , of course, our newly inducted Stella.