A GERMAN born man has been selected as the new Church of Scotland minister at St John’s in Largs, and Cumbrae Parish Church.

The Reverend Markus Thane who preached as sole nominee at the Largs and Millport churches recently will fill the vacancies later this summer.

For the first time the two Church of Scotland parishes have been linked together as both required a minister.

At St John’s, the Rev. Ross Mitchell of West Kilbride has been locum minister since the long-serving Rev. Andrew McGurk retired two years ago. At Cumbrae Parish Church Ms Nicky Smith has looked after services since the Rev. Marjorie Mackay stepped down from the pulpit four years ago.

Markus Thane spent his early life in Germany and although his roots are in the Hanover area, he and wife Betsi moved to Berlin.

After becoming a Christian, Markus studied for a Bachelor of Theology degree at Elstal, Berlin. He then took a Master of Divinity degree at Baylor University, Texas before coming to Scotland to take a Master of Theology degree at Edinburgh University. At the moment he is completing a doctorate at Edinburgh.

Rev. Ross Mitchell told the Largs congregation that Mr Thane, Betsi and their daughter Sarah are keen to settle down and get involved in a permanent ministry and would love to make their home in Largs, and their ministry with the people of Cumbrae and St John’s Church.

The Rev. Mitchell, who retired from the West Kilbride parish, stated: “I am viewing the probability that my time with you could be coming near to an end, and I will have to bow out of my role at St John’s. I put on record now how much I have enjoyed and appreciated being interim–moderator and locum with you. Your prayers have sustained me constantly.” The Church of Scotland Presbytery, which administrates churches in the north coast area, has also agreed that the current vacancies at Fairlie and St Columba’s Parish should be linked in future with one minister, due to a shortage of clergy, and economic challenges facing smaller congregations.

Meanwhile the Rev T David Watson BSc BD of Kingcase Parish Church, Prestwick has accepted the call to become the new minister of Clark Memorial Church of Scotland in Largs. He will be inducted as minister at a service to be held on Wednesday 8 October. This follows the move of the Rev. Stephen Smith to Kilbarchan last year.