Wanganui's newest priest was officially welcomed to her three parishes on Saturday.
Denise Keen is the new Anglican priest-in-charge at two Wanganui parishes - Eastern Wanganui and Gonville - and priest enabler at Castlecliff parish.
Mrs Keen moved to Wanganui on Monday with her husband Bryan and their two cats, and she can't yet leave her new home - the vicarage at All Saints' Church - without a map. It's just the fourth time she's been to Wanganui.
But she's looking forward to exploring the region and meeting her new parishioners.
Mrs Keen, who comes to Wanganui from St Hilda's in Upper Hutt, said her appointment came "out of the blue".
"I was appointed by the Bishop of Wellington, Tom Brown, and it's really exciting for me.
"I'm looking forward to helping the three parishes share their resources."
Mrs Keen will be responsible for six churches - All Saints', St Barnabas', St John's at Matarawa, St Mary's at Upokongaro, St Peter's and St Luke's.
Her role at St Luke's is that of priest enabler, which means she assists the lay clergy to run the church themselves.
Mr Keen will also be involved in fulltime ministry in Wanganui. The couple have three daughters in their early 20s, all of whom have left home.
When she's not being a priest, Mrs Keen is a keen quilter and gardener.
Her spiritual journey began when she took her second daughter to be christened "because it was the right thing to do".
"From there, I began to be involved in the church - I taught Sunday School and so on."
Further study led to her ordination in 2007.
Mrs Keen said she has a passion for team ministry.
"I want to enable people to do it for themselves, to encourage their spiritual gifts. And I have a passion for the gospel and for sharing it with others."
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