An Aberdeenshire congregation rocked by the sudden death of their minister has welcomed his interim replacement.
Rev Graeme Longmuir of St Andrew’s Church, Inverurie, died last summer while on holiday in his native North Uist.
The 65-year-old led the congregation for 13 years, and was well loved within the community.
Since his death, Inverurie woman Patricia Findlay– who teaches religious education at the Albyn School, Aberdeen – has been leading the Sunday services.
But yesterday, the congregation welcomed interim minister Rev Jim Davies to the kirk.
Rev Davies, of Newmachar, will work with members of the church over the coming months until they are ready to appoint a permanent minister.
He said he had been pleased with the turnout for his first service, adding: “I’m looking forward to getting to know the congregation very much. I got a very warm welcome.
“St Andrew’s Church lost its minister last August, Rev Longmuir died very suddenly and unexpectedly.
“People might think the church is just an institution, but it’s really a family when it works well. The congregation are often not ready to work with a new minister after a sudden bereavement, so we give them some time – they don’t need to get a new minister immediately.
“I’m looking forward to beginning to get to know the congregation.”
Rev Longmuir, who was also chaplain of the 1st Inverurie Boys’ Brigade and the Safeguarding Advisor for the Presbytery of Gordon, died in his sleep while on holiday last August.
He was credited for leading the £300,000 renovation of St Andrew’s Church and hall, and was a familiar face at the town’s annual procession to mark the start of the salmon fishing season on the Don.