CHURCH of Scotland minister the Rev Kristina Herbold Ross leaves Port Seton’s Chalmers Memorial Church this weekend – to bring “the word of God” to The Gyle Shopping Centre and Edinburgh Airport.

After five years at the county church, Mrs Herbold Ross is joining Work Place Chaplaincy Scotland to become its Workplace Chaplain for Edinburgh West, which includes the airport, The Gyle Shopping Centre, and offices at Edinburgh Park.

She said in the church newsletter that she was sad to leave the Port Seton community but was looking forward to a new challenge of bringing the word of God to the workplace.

“This post will provide a fantastic opportunity to bring the word of God to where people spend so much of their time, namely their workplace,” said Mrs Herbold Ross.

“It should also provide more regular working hours and give [my husband] Matthew, [my daughter] Hannah and myself more time together as a family.

“We would like to thank everybody who supported my ministry and us personally throughout our time in Cockenzie and Port Seton. We have found wonderful friends and it will be sad for us to leave. But we believe it is the right thing for me and us as a family to do at this stage.”

Originally from Germany, Mrs Herbold Ross was assistant minister at Greyfriars Kirk in Edinburgh before joining Chalmers. Her husband Matthew is general secretary of the Action of Churches Together in Scotland (ACTS).

Mary Gordon, session clerk at Chalmers Church, church, thanked Mrs Herbold Ross on behalf of the congregation for her commitment to them during her time in the community and wished her well for the future.

Mrs Gordon said in the newsletter: “Kristina has been with us for nearly five years. This time has seen a growth in confidence of many people who have developed and shared new skills in Chalmers Church, and now show commitment in many areas of the life of our church.”

The Rev Mike Watson is due to serve as locum minister during the vacancy period.