New Presbyterian minister for Gisborne

WELCOME: The Presbyterian church has a new minister serving the needs of parishioners at St Andrews, St Davids and Matawhero churches. The Reverend Mary Petersen (pictured at St Andrews) has been welcomed with open arms by the Presbyterian community. Picture by Liam Clayton

THE congregations of St Andrews, St Davids and Matawhero Presbyterian churches in Gisborne have welcomed a new minister into their ranks and for the three churches it ends lengthy periods without one.

The Reverend Mary Petersen has been in Gisborne since the start of the month and took her first service at St Andrews in Cobden Street last week.

That church has been without a minister for 18 months and St Davids in de Latour Road for four years, with lay preachers leading their services, likewise at Matawhero.

“I am delighted to be here and I am really looking forward to working with the congregations from all three churches,” the Reverend Petersen said.

She comes to Gisborne from Tairua on the Coromandel, from where she commuted to work for the church in Auckland.

She was ordained a minister in 2005, after working nationally for the Presbyterian church for 20 years.

“Everyone has been really friendly and welcoming since I arrived here.

“The three churches have been without a leader for some time and I look forward to helping them see their way into the future.”

The Reverend Petersen said amalgamation of the three churches could be a prospect for the future.

“I want to help each of the churches grow individually and hopefully help the parishioners grow as individuals as well.

“They are three very different congregations and they will remain with their seperate identities until they decide otherwise.

“My task is to help them do that and to help them co-operate together where they can.”

St Andrews parish clerk Jenny Lawton said the appointment of a new minister was a huge thing for all three churches.

“We have missed having a resident minister and this will be a major boost for all three of our congregations.”

The Reverend Petersen has come to Gisborne on a two year transitional ministry.