The Anglican Church celebrated a new beginning in St George’s yesterday when a returning “son of the soil” was introduced as the priest-in-charge of the diocese.

The Reverend Thomas Nisbett was licensed and installed in a service at St Peter’s Church in the Olde Towne.

Mr Nisbett — the son of the late Reverend Canon Thomas Nisbett Sr, Bermuda’s first Black Anglican priest — spent much of his childhood in St George’s, but left the island for Canada in the 1980s.

After working in business and the non-profit sector for more than 30 years, he was ordained a deacon in 2015 and a priest in 2016.

He recently concluded a nine-year incumbency as a parish priest and rector in Fredericton, New Brunswick, before returning to the island.

The Right Reverend Nicholas Dill, Anglican Bishop of Bermuda, led the ceremony, which he described as “an historic service in an historic building”.

He said: “It’s wonderful to welcome to this place what they call a son of the soil.

“It is a welcome back home for him. As a child he ran through these streets. This is familiar territory.”

After a selection of hymns, prayers, readings and a litany, formal proceedings began with the reading of the licensing.

Bishop Dill said: “My brothers and sisters in Christ, the Reverend Thomas Wellington Leon Nisbett has been chosen to be the incumbent of this parish of St George’s, serving the churches of St Peter’s and the Chapel of Ease, in which he is joined by his wife, Colleen.

“After prayerful consideration and according to the practice of this diocese, we have appointed Thomas to this position of leadership in our common ministry

“It is a new beginning because Thomas brings particular gifts to our ministry together.

“As we stand in God’s presence, let us pray that grace will be given to him and to all of us in this ministry, that we may fulfil the responsibilities that are ours.”

Bishop Dill then asked the congregation if they would commit themselves to sharing the parish with Mr Nisbett, and also support him.

To both questions they replied emphatically: “We do”.

Mr Nisbett was taken to the entrance of the church and inducted and installed by Jerry Smith, the Archdeacon of Bermuda.

The Archdeacon said: “We would urge you, Thomas, to admonish the careless, encourage the faint-hearted, support the weak and be very patient with them all.

“Be always joyful, pray continually, give thanks whatever happens, for this is what God in Christ wills for you.“

Bishop Dill had similar advice to parishioners on how to treat Mr Nisbett and his wife.

He said: “Be patient with them — they won’t have all the answers. Get to know one another, love one another.

“Don’t pile everything on this one man and expect him to do everything.”

Once installed as the priest-in-charge, Mr Nisbett was presented with symbolic gifts by members of the church, including a Bible, vessels of water, wine and oil and a prayer book.

Presenting the keys to St Peter’s and the Chapel of Ease, church wardens Elizabeth Christopher and Glennis Dickinson said: “Thomas, we look to you to lead and encourage us to be an open, welcoming community.

“Accept these keys and let the doors of these places be open to everyone.”

The service ended with Communion, with members of the congregation taking bread and wine representing the body and blood of Jesus.

Mr Nisbett closed out the ceremony, telling the congregation: “Go in peace to love and serve the Lord, Alleluia, Alleluia.”