Sign In / Register
Warkworth’s Anglican vicar for the past six-and-a-half years, Rev Peter Jenkins, is leaving the parish after being appointed Archdeacon for the southern region of the Diocese of Auckland.
He held his last service at Christ Church, Warkworth on Sunday, July 20, which was followed by a farewell gathering with parishioners.
He said afterwards his time in the parish – which encompasses Snells Beach Community Church, St Leonard’s Matakana, St Michaels and All Angels at Leigh and St Alban’s Kaipara Flats, as well as Warkworth – had been inspiring.
“It has been a very blessed time,” he said. “Warkworth is a great place and I have loved worshipping and working with our churches around the district, particularly Christ Church in Warkworth and St Leonard’s in Matakana.”
Rev Jenkins said that in addition to working with the churches and various outreach programmes, such as the Matakana Anglican Op Shop and Warkworth Christian Foodlink, he had enjoyed being involved with the wider community for events including the Warkworth 170th anniversary and the RSA’s Anzac commemorations.
“It always felt very meaningful to me, as my family has a long history in the district,” he said. “My father grew up in Ahuroa and his father, T.O.L. Jenkins, was the local county chairman for many years.
“It really has been something special for me to be based here.”
In his new role, Rev Jenkins will be responsible for a significant chunk of Auckland south of the city with around a dozen parishes, but he says he won’t forget Warkworth.
“I leave with happy memories and some sadness to be saying goodbye, but I am hoping I might find my way back in the future, even if just for visits,” he said.
Jenkins added he was “greatly pleased” that Rev Lisa Guthrie would be taking over as Priest in Charge of the parish while the Bishop of Auckland goes through the process of appointing a new vicar.
“She has been curate in the parish for the last two years and I know she will lead the parish in a very thoughtful and caring way,” he said.
