New minister inducted in Cupar

The church - which is linked with Monimail - was packed for the occasion, with worshippers drawn from all over Fife and beyond.

The induction ceremony was performed by the Moderator of St Andrews Presbytery, Rev. Dr Ann Allison.

Jeff, who is from the United States, moved to Scotland in 2014 with his wife Lynn and sons Asher (17) and Declan (10), having spent 14 years as pastor of the First Presbyterian Church in the Missouri town of Boonsville, which is similar in size to Cupar.

He spent a year as assistant minister in Duns, Berwickshire, as part of his familiarisation with the Church of Scotland.

Jeff preached as sole nominee of the two parishes of Cupar Old and Monimail in January and was virtually unanimously elected to become the new minister as a result.

Following the formal induction and a sermon by Rev. Ruth Unsworth, Presbytery members offered Jeff the right hand of fellowship, and he was greeted warmly by the elders of both congregations.

At the end of the service, Jean Martin, Session Clerk of Cupar Old, and Hugh Laidlaw, Session Clerk of Monimail, presented Jeff with a gift.

Jean also presented Jeff with the keys to the church and the Old Parish Centre saying that she was happy that these would no longer reside in her bookcase but in the hands of Jeff as minister.

During the ceremony, the congregation expressed thanks to Rev. Dr Jim Connolly, who has been interim moderator during the vacancy left following the departure of Rev. Dr Ken Jeffrey.

A presentation was made to him while his wife Janice received a bouquet of flowers.

After all the formalities a celebration buffet was shared in the Old Parish Centre, prepared and served by members of both congregations.