When a new rector is appointed, and subsequently installed in a new parish or cluster of parishes as it is now, there are thoughts of new beginnings amongst the parishioners. On 17th February such feelings were evident in St Mabyn church as Bishop Chris Goldsmith and Archdeacon Audrey Elkington conducted the service which saw David Seymour installed in the newly appointed Camelside Cluster. There are five parishes and seven churches that David now has to minister to and all were well represented as David was first legally appointed and then welcomed by members representing the parishes. A full team of the bell ringers had played to welcome everyone to the service beforehand and then after his installation David Seymour, assisted by bell ringer David Coltart, tolled a bell as the sign of his new ministry.
There were representatives from the Deanery and the Cathedral, local clergy and including those who have helped by taking services at the various churches over the eight months of the transition since Sherry Bryan said her final farewells. There were Church Patrons and members of the respective congregations with hearty singing of five hymns from all and an anthem from the Cluster choir, conducted by Jenny Trethewey. The St Mabyn Music Group, led by Steve Williams, played for the two more “modern” hymns and organist Les Field for the more traditional ones. St Mabyn Church is a very large building and it was a joy to have it filled to capacity, and the various clergy robes made for an unusually colourful sight – especially those of Bishop Chris!
As the clergy processed out led by the churchwardens everybody seemed to feel great anticipation for the way ahead. We welcome David and Wendy and the family to the cluster and hope their stay will be a long and happy one. The service over we all left for the Village Hall where a superb spread was laid out that had been donated by all parishes and beautifully prepared by the St Mabyn team. The evening was an undoubted success and went extremely smoothly thanks to Rob Turner, Churchwarden, of St Mabyn.
