Exciting new calling for minister

The Anglican Church is doing something a little non-traditional in the Mangawhai and Wellsford area: sharing a minister.

Reverend Wayne Thornton was recently installed as priest-in-charge of the two separate mission districts and will be dividing his time between them – Tuesdays and Wednesdays he will be in Mangawhai; Thursdays and Fridays he will be in Wellsford; and he will take services on alternate Sundays.

Wayne has moved with his wife Kim from Motueka at the top of the South Island, where he was vicar of the Motueka Anglican Parish.

Yes it is a long way he says, but he comes out of a sense of calling that this is the place God intends him to be, to minister to the people of the area. The couple say they both feel at home in this part of the country.

Although Wayne was born in Dunedin, he moved to Hastings when he was three and grew up there where he met and eventually married Kim.

Together they have lived and worked in Taupo, Gisborne, Napier and Hastings before moving to Motueka and are the parents of three Massey graduates.

Wayne is looking forward to this new challenge, which is quite different from being a vicar. He will use all his experience of 30 years in parish ministry as he seeks to work with people to enable them to grow and extend the ministry of the church in the surrounding community. This is an exciting new venture for the parent body, the Auckland Anglican Diocese, as well as the congregations here.

“In one sense there are no models,” says Wayne “but there is a guiding vision of using the buildings, resources and talents available to share the Good News of God's love and grace in Jesus Christ.”

Besides his work in the church Wayne has also been a chaplain for St John, which he hopes to continue in this area.

A keen photographer, Wayne was recently president of the Motueka Camera Club, and also has interests in model railways and creative writing. Music is another thing he is keen on, having a wide collection, and he plays guitar and drums.

Wayne says he is hoping to develop his fishing abilities and sample the local Book Fair.

Together Wayne and Kim enjoy visitors, playing board games, quizzes and sharing fun and fellowship.

“We are looking forward to the new venture God has called us to in this beautiful part of the world with its rich history and growing community,” he says.