Over last weekend the Venerable Bernard Wilkinson celebrated his 90th birthday.

Bernard was Deaconed in 1965, Priested in 1966 and completed an LTh while at Selwyn College, Dunedin. He was a Curate Assistant at Caversham Parish from 1965 to 1968, before moving to be the Vicar of Upper Clutha Parish 1968-1976. He was then appointed Vicar at Oamaru Parish from 1976 to 1992. Bernard was also a Canon at St Paul's Cathedral from 1980-1982, Priest in Charge East Otago 1980-81 and Archdeacon of Otago 1982-1992.

He has continued to have a very active "retirement" with being Priest in Charge at St Mary's Timaru from 1998-99, Priest in Charge at Caversham 2011-12. He was made an Archdeacon Emeritis in 1992 and has held a Permission to Officiate since 2010.

Bernard continues to attend St Andrew's Maheno just out of Oamaru where he regularly plays the organ. He is married to Anne and enjoys keeping a very productive garden on the go. He is also treasurer of the North Otago Homes for the Aged (NOAH) and has been a part of this since its inception. 

The Ven Jan Clark (along with Alec) writes:

Bernard was ordained Deacon in 1965. As well as celebrating his 90th birthday this year, 2020 also marks the 55th anniversary of his ordination as a Deacon. Bernard’s response to God’s call to ordination began, we understand, from a desire to help people and it is this diaconal call to service that has never left Bernard. With a background as a teacher Bernard has sought ways to communicate the good news of Jesus Christ to the generations, often calling on the stories of inspirational saints like Gladys Aylward to get the message across. 

Bernard will tell you that Jesus has promised to be with us always, empowering people to serve and transform the community, just like the saints of old did. This same service and worship have been the hallmarks of Bernard’s ministry, drawing the community together to develop affordable accommodation in the North Otago Homes for the Aged complex, supporting mission initiatives, establishing and supporting the foodbank. 

A faithful parish priest well-loved in the parishes he served in he excels in pastoral care. 
As an Archdeacon, he offered wisdom and leadership across the Diocese. In retirement he has been willing to offer ministry during interregnums, has been able to recount the story of the community and negotiate the way forward when change was necessary. Clear in his opinions yet always able to leave room for different possibilities. 

Any mention of Bernard’s ministry and service to this Diocese would not be complete without acknowledging the contribution of his wife, Anne. They are an amazing team who just got things done. In some ways the love expressed in the bond shared by Anne and Bernard is the same love lived out in service to the communities they have belonged to. Bernard is a loyal and generous man who has offered selfless service in response to God’s call, a gift many of us have benefited from.

Happy Birthday, Bernard. Thank you for your faithful and generous service and friendship to this Diocese.

The Rev'd Ken Light writes:

I first met Bernard when he was studying at Selwyn College for the ordained ministry with Douglas Millar, then warden do Selwyn. I was a student at Selwyn. Some years later when I was Vicar of Balclutha Bernard was Archdeacon of Otago which if I remember correctly was the whole of Otago minus Dunedin. We had few Archdeaconry meetings and when we did it was over two days and we were billeted with parishioners in the parish where the meeting was held. Always a feature of those meetings was the pub meal which became recurring feature of my memories of Bernard. Because the clergy met very infrequently Bernard would phone us before Christmas or Easter encouraging us. 

After Balclutha I became Vicar of St John's Invercargill and Archdeacon of Southland. Bishop Peter Mann held Archdeacon’s meetings on a Tuesday morning and provided lunch that always included a fresh Boston bun. The Archdeacons continued to meet on Tuesday morning with Bishop Penny and then as Standing Committee in the late afternoon. After the meeting Bernard and I would retire to the Kaikorai Valley Tavern For a pint and steak meal before travelling home to Oamaru and Invercargill. During this time we brought a motion before Synod changing the time of meeting to the weekend which is still the case today. Previously Synod always met during the week. 

I left Dunedin diocese for a while for Nth Canterbury and the rural town of Waikari. Bernard would call on his way through to Culverdon. He never stayed long but his ten minute visits were appreciated by this sojourner in a foreign diocese. In the end I returned to Dunedin diocese and to Oamaru where Bernard and Anne had retired. The Wilkinson’s were very welcoming. I discovered most of all that Bernard was still active in ministry even though retired from Parish ministry. Bernard organising skills were to the fore with Oamaru’s food bank. It was the same with Nth Otago Anglican Care housing where Bernard was chairperson of the Committee. I appreciated Bernard offering to take my services so that I could go on holiday.

Rev'd Dr Andrea McDougal, current Vicar of Oamaru-Maheno Parish  writes:

Bernard attends St Andrew's Maheno, where he faithfully plays the organ each week, singing along heartily as he plays. He and Anne usually join a group from St Luke's for Sunday lunch at one of the local establishments. His pastoral care for others is much valued; he often assists with leading funerals. He continues to be a very active driving force in the Oamaru Combined Churches Foodbank, doing a lot of work himself as well as his pastoral and organisational work with the North Otago Anglican Homes. Bernard and Anne are much loved and much appreciated.