LYLE Kirk in Greenock is set to welcome a new minister.

Reverend Jonathan Fleming, currently minister at St John's Church in Largs and Cumbrae Parish Church, has been elected as sole nominee for the position.

The congregation will see him preach live and this will be followed by a formal vote.

All things going well, the result should be announced on Easter Sunday.

The popular minister said: "I was very much attracted to Lyle Kirk by their vision statement above everything else.

"The congregation have been refreshingly open and honest about where they had been and where they hope to go in the future.

"I am very excited about the future and, if elected, look forward to celebrating the tenth anniversary of the union of Old West Kirk, Ardgowan and Finnart St Paul's this year, making that an occasion of hope.”

Mr Fleming will replace former Lyle Kirk minister, Reverend Owen Derrick who returned to America in 2019.

He says his role and that of the wider church will be to offer support post-lockdown to help people to heal from the trauma caused by the pandemic.

Mr Fleming said: "It is important to support people through their loss.

"I am very much impressed with the church Lyle Gateway group, who have always been there for people and offer a place to reconnect and to heal."

Jonathan, 39, hails from Bearsden, is married to Karyn and the couple have two daughters Rachel, 12, and Hollie, pictured with him here, who is eight.

He was ordained in the Church of Scotland in November 2012 and was minister at Erskine Parish Church until 2017 when he moved down the coast.

He said: "I think Greenock is a town loaded with opportunities.

"As Lyle Kirk is in the west end of Greenock, a lot of my work will be there but I am aware that the Greenock and Gourock clergy work very closely together and I am looking forward to working as part of a team in the wider community in ventures such as providing chaplaincy at the local schools.

"It is a place I am really looking forward to getting to know."

Rev Fleming's service will be streamed live on the Lyle Kirk website - www.lylekirk.org - at 10.30am on March 21.

For those unable to watch online, it can also be heard by calling 01475 600901.