Arriving to an empty church
There was no formality, ceremony or celebration about the way Palmerston North’s newest vicar arrived at the Anglican parish of St Peter’s.
Most recently from Whanganui, Stuart Goodin was appointed to St Peter’s in December and a planned three months of sabbatical leave meant his installation was to be at Easter.
Then Covid-19 happened. His farewell party was cancelled, and he and wife Christine hunkered down for an extended stay at the vicarage in Whanganui until they were able to move.
His arrival in Palmerston North would have been marked by robing up for the pageantry of a welcome service complete with the presentation of his licence from Bishop Justin Duckworth and statements of commitment between vicar and congregation.
Instead, it was a matter of what he described as ‘‘sliding in the back door’’ at level 3.
‘‘I just started working and people seem to be accepting me.’’
He began his ministry in April, remotely from Whanganui, arriving in person on May 12.
Eventually, he started meeting members of the congregation. At first, it was a couple of short, booked services for fewer than 10 people. The following week up to 100 were allowed to gather in the Ruahine St church, but set apart in groups, using only every second row, and no communion.
Then communion returned, but not as normal, so people did not touch the altar rail.
Last weekend was the first time service has returned to almost normal.
Goodin said part of the reason he felt called to Palmerston North was to get more involved in the community. The traditional aspects of the church’s style of worship that were valued by many would be honoured, but he was keen to do more outside the church building.
His time in Whanganui had been dominated by restructuring and amalgamation of four parishes, which was inward looking. He was keen to look outward and explore his new neighbourhood and connect with more people.
Goodin grew up on a north Waikato dairy farmand the idea of becoming aminister was planted early.
The call never really went away, as he studied economics when on what was then a New Zealand Post bursary. He studied theology while navigating a career through what became Telecom. In 2001 he was ordained and operated as a self-supporting minister, based in Tawa.
With the St Peter’s facilities all based on one site – his office at the church just a 10-step commute from the vicarage – Goodin hopes to be back in that sort of role, reaching out to people outside the immediate church community.
‘‘That might mean me wandering the streets. That’s not me skiving off, it’s about being visible.
‘‘It’s finding out what does the community need, what would be helpful, and what capacity do we have to help.’’