Rev. Dr Gordon A. McCracken has been appointed to the parish for a period of up to two years, and will be inducted at a service on Monday evening.

Howe of Fife Church has had no full-time minister since Rev Marion Paton left last September to take up a charge in Dundee.

Since then the congregation has been fortunate to have had the services of auxiliary minister, Cameron Harrison, and for a time locum minister, Rev. Ian Wotherspoon.

They were also very well supported by interim moderator John Murdoch from Largo.

Since the announcement in May of Dr McCracken's appointment, the congregation has been busy preparing for his arrival.

Dr McCracken (51) is a native of Glasgow, and was ordained to his first charge in Whitburn, West Lothian, 20 years ago.

He is a graduate of Glasgow University where he gained his Bachelor of Divinity degree and a Certificate in Ministry.

In 2004, he was awarded his Doctor of Ministry Degree by Princeton Theological Seminary whilst minister at Kilwinning Abbey.

In the three years during which he has served as an interim minister, he has worked in the parishes of Dennistoun and Wallacewell in his native city, having also spent a short time previously in Fife in the parishes of Benarty and Lochgelly on behalf of the Ministries Council.

The induction service organised by St Andrews Presbytery will be held in Kettle Church on Monday, July 7, at 7 p.m.

It will be followed by a social event in the hall to welcome the new minister and his wife.

Members of the congregation will this Sunday be invited to make a contribution towards buying a welcoming gift for Dr McCracken, as well as gifts to acknowledge the considerable contributions made by Rev. Murdoch and Rev. Wotherspoon during the recent vacancy.

Howe of Fife Parish has four churches — Ladybank, Kettle, Collessie and Cults near Pitlessie.

It covers a large area which includes these four villages, as well as all the other smaller communities.

Rev. McCracken's first service as minister will be a joint service in Collessie Church on Sunday, July 13, at 10 a.m., when it is hoped there will be a large turnout from all four churches.