CHURCHGOERS have marked the arrival of their new minister with a celebration.

The Rev Kate McKenna officially took up her post at Bury Unitarian Church, in Bank Street, and delivered her first sermon, in which she talked about the expectations of both her as minister and of her congregation.

“If people think that everyone who belongs to this church, and everything that happens in it, will be perfect, this will cause disappointment,” said Ms McKenna.

“It is much better to accept limitations and work to improve matters than to feel that improvements are neither necessary nor desirable.”

Her first month was busy from the beginning — moving house and settling into the manse, attending meetings, and getting to know individual members of the congregation informally.

Her partner, Adrian Brady, also attended the service to support her in her work.

This is Ms McKenna’s first ministry, having trained at Harris Manchester College at the University of Oxford and being ordained in June this year.

Before she moved to Bury she lived and worked in Norwich, where she attended The Octagon Unitarian Chapel, and conducted services there for several years.

After the service, congregation members celebrated their new minister and her first service.

Ms McKenna was presented with a bouquet of flowers and a card.

Anne Mills, chairman of the congregation, said: “I am very pleased to welcome Kate officially to our congregation.

“She comes to us highly recommended, and we are very fortunate that she has chosen to begin her ministerial work amongst us.

“We hope that her ministry at Bury Unitarian Church will be successful, pleasurable and productive for us all.

“This has been a very happy service, full of laughter and positive thoughts, and we can build from this excellent beginning with enthusiasm.”

Ms McKenna said she was delighted by the welcome she and her partner received from the people of Bury and church members.

“The congregation members couldn’t have worked harder to make us feel wanted here, and I hope we’ll have many happy and fruitful years working together,” she added.

“I am really excited about the move to Bury, and we’re already falling in love with the town and the people.

“Anyone who doesn’t already know the Unitarian church is very welcome to come along and meet the congregation and me and have a look around our beautiful worship space.”