A minister who hit the headlines at his former church over an affair with a parishioner has been warmly welcomed back to the pulpit in Perthshire.
The Rev Mike Erskine was suspended as minister of Crail and Kingsbarns in December 2010 for having an affair with B&B owner Lesley MacGregor, having officiated at her husband’s funeral.
A campaign began to have the popular pastor reinstalled and his appeal against his suspension was upheld after he apologised. Having been voted in by the congregation by an overwhelming majority, he made a return as minister at Alyth Parish Church on Sunday.
Interim moderator the Rev Matthew Robertson said: ”He is a well-loved and delightful chap who people have immediately taken to their hearts here. He was very well-liked in his former parish in Fife as well and I’m aware a number of that congregation were in Alyth on Sunday and they were saying that our gain is their loss.
”The legalities aren’t complete yet and the vote has to be sustained by the Presbytery. Their meeting is some time next month, so it will not be until March that all that is completed. It’s a shame because he is absolutely raring to go.”
Churchgoers had been told of his appointment in a letter from Mr Robertson earlier this month.
It stated: ”We have ascertained he is very highly thought of as a pastor, particularly in visiting, and relates well to people of all ages. In his previous ministries he took great trouble to get to know almost everyone in the communities where he served.
”It has been stressed he sees the whole community as his parishioners, not just church members.”
Mr Robertson said: ”I sent the letter out because I did not want anyone saying afterwards that they hadn’t had the full background.”
When he was suspended from Crail and Kingbarns, Fife locals launched a campaign, including a petition and Facebook page. St Andrews Presbytery member the Rev John Cameron said at the time of the suspension: ”He’s an absolutely first-class pastor who was caught between a rock and a hard place.
”Any congregation who gets him will be absolutely delighted. He was perfect for a village like Crail. He got out there and got involved in the community.”
Crail Community Council chairman Dr Jack Jarvis said Mr Erskine’s departure had been a great disappointment for many residents.
”A large number of people in Crail are very supportive of him and what he has done for Crail while he was minister in the village. A substantial number of people in Crail feel they have lost a very good minister.”
The Church of Scotland said: ”He seems to be very popular.”
Mr Erskine was not available for comment.