Reverend George Vidits told members of St Andrew’s Kirk he will conduct his final service next month — leaving the 1,000 strong congregations of Helensburgh, and Rhu and Shandon without a minister following the retirement of Rev David Clark in August.

Rev Vidits plans to move to East Lothian after remarrying in October, and told the congregation the move was necessary to allow a ‘new beginning’.

He said: “It wasn’t an easy decision, we looked at various ways, but it became increasingly clear that the Lord is leading us away from Helensburgh and Rhu and Shandon.” The announcement arrives at a crucial time for St Andrews Kirk, with a final fundraising push for new church halls about to get under way. Work is already being carried out on the steelwork to transform the look and feel of the hall.

Reverends Clark and Vidits launched the fundraising appeal in 2012 to raise £1.8 million to enable the church to be a 21st Century place of worship.

Rev Vidits will conduct his last service on October 5 – together with the congregation from Rhu and Shandon – before marrying on October 14 and leaving to set up home in the Edinburgh area in November with his new wife Emma.

Interim Moderator, Rev Ian Miller has been appointed to oversee the congregation while another minister is found.

Continued from front page Rev Vidits first arrived in Helensburgh in 2006 with his wife Sue, who died of cancer in 2012, and was the minister at St Columba Church for five years before it joined with the West Kirk to make St Andrew’s Kirk as it is today.

He then shared the ministry of St Andrew’s Kirk with Rev David Clark, who retired last month after 28 years in Helensburgh.

His decision to leave was not an easy one to make and speaking in the church newsletter, Rev Vidits spoke about ‘seeking God’s guidance’ on his future.

He told the Advertiser: “I have had to make decisions about my personal future, about a new beginning. First of all there was the decision about gettng married again, and then in prayer seeking God’s guidance for our married life.

“It was clear that God is presentng a new beginning for Emma and I, and in more recent weeks the Lord made it very clear and emphatc that we can not have a new beginning here in Helensburgh. It would not be a new beginning for us as a married couple; it would not be a new beginning for the congregatons of St Andrew’s Kirk and Rhu and Shandon either.

“A new life cannot be lived in a well settled, old way. It needs new life, new opportunites, unseen and probably never imagined before.

“It wasn’t an easy decision, we looked at various ways, but it became increasingly clear that the Lord is leading us away from Helensburgh and Rhu and Shandon. Eventually we had to make a decision. I am both sorry and excited to say that on November 1 we are leaving. I am sorry to leave you all, but I am excited about all that God has in store for Emma and I.” Commenting on the departure of Rev Vidits, a member of the congregation said: “It was a great shock, everyone was sad to hear he was leaving.

“He was a charming man and we wish him well.” A collection is currently being organised to give to Rev Vidits and Emma to celebrate their marriage and departure from St Andrew’s Kirk, this will allow the congregation to ‘express their gratitude for the service and love George has given to them over the years’.

Church of Scotland ministers are free agents, and are not directed to or from one parish or another, and Rev Vidits departure is not related to any issues currently going on within the wider Church of Scotland.

The Clerk of the Presbytery of Dumbarton, Rev David Clark confirmed Rev Vidits departure.

He said: “The Presbytery of Dumbarton is now making arrangements for the congregation in the normal way and, after considering any changes which may need to be made to the approved Presbytery Plan, will assist the congregations to appoint two new ministers.

“An Interim Moderator has already been appointed to lead the congregation through the vacancy process. As a national church, the Church of Scotland is committed to serving and ministering to all parts of Scotland and the congregation of Helensburgh linked with Rhu and Shandon will receive its full support.”