A service of Welcome, Commitment and Affirmation was held Sunday for the new minster of Grace Methodist Church, the Rev D’Wain O. Wales, B.A., M. Div.Aged 56, the Bermuda-born minister began his christian walk when he was seventeen, at St. Luke’s AME Church, St. David’s Island. He has served the AME Church in many capacities in Bermuda and abroad, until May of this yer he was ‘chosen’ for his appointment at historic Grace Methodist.He graduated from Wilberforce University and Payne Theological Seminary both in Ohio, the state where he moved in August 1997 with his wife Deborah and daughter Carlita. Aftr an active ministry in the US, the family returned to the Bermuda AME Conference in 20006. Rev. Wales joined Bethel AME Church where he served as an Associate Minister under the then Pastor and Presiding Elder, Rev. Malcolm Eve. The latter was succeeded by the Rev. Lorne K.E. Bean, who appointed Rev. Wales to be Executive Minister.Grace Church on the water’s edge of the North Shore, has a history rooted in the late 1800s. Stalwarts from that predominately black village laid the cornerstone of the church in 1900, and from then onwards rose the beautiful edifice that stands today. It has been sustained spiritually, socially and culturally by a loyal and committed membership.Presiding over the welcome service was Bro. Alfred Maybury. Greetings were extended by Sis. Esther Bean, chairperson of the Board Trustees; and Sis. Gretchen Brangman on behalf of the Church Council. Rev. Lynette Rayner, pastor of the Somerset Methodist conducted the ceremony of Commitment and preached the sermon.