December 2025

Dear Friends,         Lybster Manse

As I reflect on this past month I say to myself – yes it’s a wonderful world – but also I am glad that overall God is in control. He holds this glorious, turbulent world in his hands watching and waiting for humanity to recognise His omnipotent presence; I can hear you saying,  what does that word mean? ‘Omni’ means everywhere and ’potent’  means strong and powerful. Omnipotent! And that is God! As Isaiah says,   “I am the Lord; apart from me there is no other god.  I will strengthen you, even tho’ you don’t know me and I do this from one end of the world to the other so that from the rising of the sun to its setting people may know there is none besides Me. I am the Lord, and there is no other.  I create both light and darkness, I bring blessing and disaster; I, the Lord, do all these things.” –Isaiah 45:5-7

And it’s particularly in times of change and uncertainty that we need to trust God to know what is right, and then have the courage to follow His leading. The Church in Caithness and in particular for us, in ECCOS is going thro’ great changes so this is the time to really put our hand in the hand of the One who is all knowing and let Him direct our steps. Your new minister, ‘in waiting’, Cleopas, doesn’t begin officially until the Presbytery decides on a date for his induction, probably towards the end of January,  but we hope that he and his delightful family, will move to Wick sooner than that so that his two younger daughters can begin their new schools in January.  My prayer is that, as you get to know this family whom God has sent amongst you, you will want to get alongside and offer all the support and knowledge and encouragement that you can so that the Takavada family soon feel as if they have lived here amongst you for years! Your nominating team have worked hard and prayerfully to bring your new minister and I for one believe that great things are in store for your Church family and all who come alongside you.  In the meantime, it’s Advent – time to look forwards to Christmas and all the joy that it can bring.  Just remember that ‘Jesus is the reason for the season’ and we hope to see all of you at some point over the next few weeks. See the list of ‘what’s on’ in Lybster, Dunbeath and Argyle Square

Blessings and love to you all

Linda Broadley ( lnterim Moderator & locum in ECCoS )

Donating to your Church

You can, any time, give money for the ongoing work of our Church

Account  Name – East Caithness Church of Scotland

Bank details: Bank of Scotland, Wick

Sort Code – 80-09-96 A/C number   00704587

Or we have Gift Aid envelopes if you are a tax payer. The work of the Church goes everywhere; we have missionaries overseas,  homes and projects in Scotland; every penny counts, so  ‘thanks’

The age of Christmas!

I’m getting old! Christmas seems to come more quickly each year!Mind you, our Christmas celebrations are very much driven by commerce! Christmas goods were appearing in the shops before Halloween was over! For many folks the real meaning of Christmas has been lost over time. A few years ago there was a campaign to rename the Christmas season as ‘Winterval’ and for many who focus entirely on the material aspects of the season, perhaps it would be a more honest interpretation. I enjoy giving and receiving presents within a sensible budget and dining with family and friends and the occasional party, but for me the basis of Christmas is the wonder of God’s greatest gift – His Son, Jesus Christ. In the stillness of that holy night so long ago, heaven touched earth and hope was born for all people.  For unto us a son is born, unto its a son is given . . .’ (Isaiah 9v6) ‘ This wondrous promise reminds us that God’s love is ever present, lighting our way and guiding our steps, even in the busiest moments of the festive season. This season reminds us that light shines brightest in the darkness and love grows stronger when shared. Let us carry the joy of Christ into our homes, our community, and the world, offering kindness, forgiveness and compassion to all.

May your Christmas be wrapped in peace, your New Year filled with promises and your heart overflowing with the unshakable joy that comes from knowing Emmanuel – God with us.

Rev Heather Stewart – Locum minister in Latheron

Nominating Committee of ECCoS

As a Nominating committee our job is now over and we are absolutely delighted that on Sunday 30th November,  Rev Cleopas Takavada accepted the call to be our new minister in East Caithness Church of Scotland. From our perspective as a Nominating team, we trust and pray that Cleopas and his family will soon be with us and will lead us into the next chapter of our ministry.

I would like to give sincere thanks to all the members of the ‘team’ for their diligence in attending meetings and travelling across the Highlands to hear prospective ministers. Also to Alan Sinclair and Doreen Leith for their support in producing videos to support our Parish Profile and to Iain Maclean for helping us to get the new website in place to underpin our new Church here in Wick.  All of this support has been invaluable.

Finally I would like to thank Linda Broadley for all her amazing support as our Inter Moderator and Presbytery Advisor as well as our locum minister. She has worked tirelessly and inspired us all as a nominating committee, as well as the congregation, to reach this point where we have a new minister just awaiting his induction.

More details around induction for Cleopas will be shared with you through the Church notices, the website and the next newsletter.

As we sign off as a Nominating Committee and prepare for our new minister let me share a few verses with you

In Ephesians 4 v 11&12, Paul says, ‘Christ Himself gave us apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers to equip His people for the work of His service so that the body of Christ may be built up.’

The clear message for us here is that as we work together,  our new minister, Cleopas,  will work to equip us, the congregation, for ministry and Church growth. Now it’s up to us, to get behind him in all that he seeks to achieve. What a great opportunity for us all as a congregation to engage with and support Cleopas in moving forward.

Richard Munro – Nominating Committee Convenor

Christmas Lunch?? Thoughts and ideas please!

It has been suggested that there might be quite a number of people in the community who are on their own at Christmas and so would appreciate the offer of having Christmas lunch with others in the church hall in Argyle Square on Christmas Day, after the service. What do you think? It’s easy to arrange. If you are in favour could you PLEASE let us know. Speak to an elder or the minister if you would like to join in or help and it can be arranged, no bother. We have a few people coming already – come join us!

ECCoS Referral Point for Caithness Food bank

It’s good for you to know that we are now officially a referral point for Caithness food bank, so that if anyone comes to the church and is in need of support with a food package, we have a box ready to give to them.  It’s in the Argyle Square vestry and there simply is a little form to fill in with the details of the recipient.

Weekly Prayer Opportunities in Argyle Square Church – come and join at ANY time . . . . .

–Wednesday morning – 9.45 – 10.15am . . . then coffee

–Sunday morning at 11am for 15 minutes before worship

–Wednesday evening at the end of Growing Together – which will start again January hopefully. Watch this space.

November Reporting . . on events that took place

Just letting you all know that the fIim, ‘Molokai’ which Rob showed one Sunday evening was excellent and taught us much about the attitude which used to exist towards people with, what were considered, infectious and incurable illnesses. In this case it was leprosy, and the ‘hero’ Father Damien, literally gave his life to ease the suffering of others.  Then we had the Remembrance service for the town, in Argyle Square church, on 9th November. Members of the British Legion as well as the local army cadets, the town pipe band and many local officials joined us as we remembered the sacrifices which have been made and are still being made as a result of war.  We also were privileged to have descendants of some who had perished on HMS Exmouth in the congregation and wreaths were laid in memory of that fateful event. Many people were moved by the service and all that was said; one comment that it was the ‘best Remembrance service in the years I have been with the British Legion’  reflects for me the enormous effort by so many people to make this service, dignified, respectful and worshipful.

The morning conference in the Baptist Church run by SOLAS on Confident Christianity when we learned many ways of engaging with those who think they don’t want to know about Jesus, or are openly antagonistic to any mention of Christianity, was excellent and provided many really useful ways of bringing the Lord respectfully and sincerely into any conversation, hopefully encouraging others to learn more! We have had some wonderful walks around the town and our final outing will be early in December to explore Keiss Castle and then up to John O’ Groats to walk along to the newly refurbished Mill. If you would like to be part of this outing there are plenty of seats on the bus, so let Maureen Miller know ASAP and we look forward to having you.   Super club is up and running again on a Thursday after school and they have a special event on 14th December – see the calendar. The coffee bar has had a face lift and is now much more practical; come along on a Wednesday between 10am and 12noon for good chat and fine company . . and good coffee! This is your Church so if you want us to provide other events, or you’d like to start something new then let us know.

Caithness Guild

The Christmas meeting of the Guild on Tuesday 9th December at 2.30pm will welcome Wick Bell ringers to entertain us and delicious Christmas goodies are planned for the tea. Our Christmas Lunch outing is on 12th December and we are going as usual to the Nethercliff Hotel. Again if you want to join us just say. Lunch at 12noon for 12.30pm. All our meetings are ‘open’ meetings so everyone is welcome. We have had some super talks so far this year . . and more to come in the 2026.

Our wee giving table in Argyle Square . . . .

Over the last couple of years you have all given SO generously as you have donated ‘pennies’ when you take a jar of jam or chutney or tablet or painted stones or magnetic bookmarks or whatever finds its way to the table.  The monthly donations average around £500. The present source of jams, marmalade and chutney will cease after December, however anyone and everyone is/are welcome to provide ‘things’ for the table.  PLEASE say if you want the table to continue, but in doing so  be willing to help to keep goods on it!! Donations in December are for India Village Ministries so dig deep for our partners, Rojan and Suresh who with their team, work so hard to provide for the needy.

Safeguarding – what’s that?

It is very important that people, particularly vulnerable groups, young and old, feel safe when they come into our buildings. For that reason, most of your office bearers have been trained in the ‘Protection of Vulnerable Groups.’ (PVG)

They know what to do if any difficult situation arises. So now we are looking for someone to ‘Co-ordinate’ and record everyone who has a PVG certificate and just make sure that our volunteers have been trained and our congregation is safe.  Might YOU have a couple of hours sometimes to help?   

*ECCOS – Argyle Square Church, Wick*             Calendar of Activities for December 2025

Sunday worship at 11.30am – tea/coffee beforehand from 10.45

     Prayer before worship from 11-11.15am – just pop in!

Sunday 7th December – Pentland Brass join us at 11.30am

Followed by Soup and sandwich lunch for all in the hall

Sunday evening worship – at 6.30pm

7th and 21st December – in Argyle Square

(14th and 28th?? December- In Baptist Church in Dempster Street)

Sunday 14th December – 6.30pm  Super Club Children in Church

Wednesday 17th December – 6.30m – Carols in the Square

Thursday 18th December – 7.30pm

Wick Choral sing in Assembly Rooms

accompanied by Caithness Orchestra

Sunday 21st December – ‘Pop Up’ Nativity – parts for everyone!!

Each week day:-

Tuesday – 7-9pm in upstairs lounge –  Forge continues and all men welcome every week. Last meeting for 2025 is 16th December

Wednesday 10am-12noon – coffee club in church café

Wednesday prayer – 9.45 – 10.15am – pray for our way forward

Note – NOT on 31st December – but ‘yes’ on 24th

Wednesday 7-9pm – ‘Growing Together’ Special Christmas 2-part  discussion – ‘What’s behind Christmas?’

Meet on 3rd & 10th December

Thursday 3.30-5pm – Super Club celebration on 11th December

Then off for the holidays . . . back in January

Friday 2-4pm – Knit and Natter – upstairs – Last one 19th December

This Month:-

Sunday 14th – Pulteneyhouse Carol service at 3pm – do join us

Tuesday 9th December — Caithness Guild meets at 2.30pm

Christmas celebration with Wick Bells.

Open meeting – come and join us

Wednesday 24th December at 11.15pm for 11.30pm

Watchnight Carol Service

Christmas Day – Jesus’ birthday service at 11am

* * Lybster and Dunbeath Churches * *

                Services in December 2025

Sunday Dec 7th –  11am Communion in Lybster Church

Sunday Dec 14th – 11am -Morning Worship in Dunbeath Hall

Monday Dec 15th – 7pm Family Carol Concert in Lybster Church

Mince Pies and hot drinks after the singing

Sunday Dec 21st – 11am Morning Worship in Lybster Church

Tuesday Dec 23rd – 1.30pm School Christmas Service

in Lybster Church

Christmas Eve Dec 24th – 7pm Family Carol Service

       in Dunbeath Hall . . .Mince pies and hot drinks after the service

Sunday Dec 28th – 11am – Morning Worship in Dunbeath Hall

Sunday January 4th 2026 – 11am breakfast Rolls and hot drinks        followed by a shorter service in Lybster Church

Lybster Church is available for baptisms, weddings and funerals

**Please ask**

In Lybster Church Hall during December the following continues

     – All are welcome to join in these events where they wish

Monday – 7.30-8.30pm  – JABOS (Just A Bunch Of Singers)

    In Lybster Church all are welcome to come and sing

Tuesday 1-3pm            Biscuits and Blether in Lybster Church hall

sit and chat over a cuppa

Wednesday  2-4pm Knit and Natter in Lybster church hall

Enjoy company as you knit or sew – refreshments too

Friday Club 6.30-7.30pm in Lybster Church hall

Games, Bible stories, songs and fun

All primary age children welcome

Sunday Club in Lybster Church hall     7 – 8.30pm

– Primary 7 to age 25

Explore your thoughts, talk and share.   (Games and snacks too!)