A TRIO of Inverclyde churches are celebrating the arrival of a new minister.

Reverend Susan Henderson has been chosen as minister of Port Glasgow, Greenock East and Greenock West United Reformed Churches.

Susan, who is originally from Nairn, was recently ordained and inducted at the Port church.

The new minister originally started out in lay preaching and she spent time in Inverclyde being tutored by the late Zam Walker, who was minister at Greenock West United.

Susan is thrilled that her induction to the ministry has brought her back to the district.

She said: "I had always been interested in the church.

"In 2014, I decided I was being called to be a lay preacher so I took a two-year foundation course.

"During that time I realised I was being called to the ministry."

In 2016, Susan started on a four-year course at the Scottish United Reformed Congregational College in Glasgow.

She spent time in Glasgow and Edinburgh and was in an episcopal church for three years.

Susan found out about the Inverclyde post when she was contacted following a meeting of the 13 synods across Great Britain.

Her experience in Inverclyde was matched to the United Reformed Church post and she was delighted to accept the offer.

Churches across Inverclyde have been closed due to coronavirus restrictions but are now reopening gradually as restrictions begin to ease.

Susan is planning to reopen Port Glasgow United Reformed Church this Sunday, Greenock East after the September weekend, and Greenock West in the middle of September.

The minister says she can't wait to get to know her congregation and meet people face-to-face.

She added: "I'm really looking forward to getting to know the area and the people and finding out what we as a congregation can do to help the local community.

"It's been a really difficult time for people, especially for those who don't have access to any forms of online worship.

"People have been finding different ways of worshipping.

"It will be nice to get together again."