Dear Friends,                         from Wick Manse in Millar Avenue

It is with deep gratitude, humility and joy that I greet you as your newly called minister.  I truly believe that God in His wisdom and grace, has brought us together for a purpose and I am thankful for the warm welcome I have already received. My journey to East Caithness has taken me from the Reformed Church of Zimbabwe through years of ministry training and familiarisation with the CofS, from Inverness to Forres and now to this parish. I see God’s guiding hand throughout this journey, preparing both you and me for the ministry we have started to share. At the heart of my calling and at the heart of all I hope to do for you is one clear mission; to proclaim the Good News of Christ Jesus. My deepest desire as your minister is to preach Christ faithfully, to teach the scriptures with integrity and to point always to the grace, love and saving power of God revealed in Jesus. Everything else we do as a Church must flow from this centre!

As your Minister, I long to know you not just as members of a congregation, but as individuals, families and fellow disciples. I invite you to welcome me into your stories, your traditions and your community life and I will do the same with you. Please be patient as I learn names, histories and the rhythms of life here, and never hesitate to reintroduce yourself – these small gestures will help me to feel truly at home!

We are beginning something new together and we shall all be learning.  There may be times when we misunderstand one another or see things differently, but when that happens, I ask that we speak honestly, listen carefully and treat one another with grace. Differences do not have to divide us – they can enrich us when we walk together in love. I have not come to minister on my own. Ministry is shared. Together with the Kirk Session, office bearers and every member of the congregation we shall seek God’s leading. I will offer leadership, teaching and pastoral care but each of you also has an important role in the life and witness of this Church.

I bring with me the faith and experience of the global church, particularly from Zimbabwe and I look forward to learning from the deep heritage of Caithness. Together we can reflect both the local and global story of God’s Kingdom.

As I begin this ministry, I also wish to express my sincere gratitude to those who have served this congregation before me, especially Rev Linda Broadley and Rev Heather Stewart, as well as to all ministers and leaders who have faithfully guided and cared for this parish over the years. I am thankful for the foundations they have laid and for the faithfulness with which they have served God and this community. And so, I humbly ask for your prayers – for wisdom, strength and joy in the work ahead and for my family as we settle into this new chapter. I also promise to pray for you that God will bless us with unity, grace and renewed passion for His mission.  I look to the future with hope and confidence in what God will do among us. May we grow together, serve together and bear lasting fruit for the Kingdom here in East Caithness.

May the Lord bless you and keep you and may His grace be upon this congregation

Rev Cleopas Takavada                                                Tel 07778 220452

Outreach Worker’s briefing for January

We give thanks for the encouragement God continues to give our congregation and for our new minister, Cleopas. There has also been great joy in our Christian assemblies in local schools, the ongoing discipleship of our men on Tuesdays at the Forge and the happy return of our Super Club on Thursdays. Recently the Super Club explored the importance of baptism through the life and witness of John the Baptist, reminding us of God’s call to faith and new life. I very much look forward to incorporating Cleopas fully into our school assemblies and the wider life of the community and invite each congregation to share in and support this ministry together through prayer and action. May God bless you all

‘Just as the body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body; so it is with Christ’ 1 Corinthians 12v12

Rob Petersen – MDS worker in ECCOS

New worship times!

Services in Latheron (still alternate between Dunbeath hall and Lybster Church) now at 10.30am  and then in Argyle Square at    12 noon.  Coffee served AFTER worship in Latheron and BEFORE worship in Argyle Square

Donating to your Church

You can, at 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’

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

–Wednesday morning – 9.30 – 10.00am . . . then coffee

–Sunday morning at 11.30am for 15 minutes before worship in the Vestry

–Wednesday evening at the end of Growing Together 7pm-9pm.

**For information about parish events see ECCOS website * *

Caithness Guild

We meet on the 2nd Tuesday of every month in the old hall in Argyle Square at 2.30pm.  All our meetings are ‘open’ and everyone is welcome.  On 10th February the guest speaker is Rob Petersen telling ‘Stories from Costa Rica.’  Come and enjoy the fellowship, the ‘cuppie’ and the talk.

Thanks, from afar!

 “The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Deuteronomy 38v1)

What wonderful truths are found in the Bible and these words are, for sure, one of the best! Looking back over just two wonderful years amongst the people of ECCOS and beyond, I realise that God has been before us, working out His plans, all the way, building people up in their faith, uniting congregations, encouraging wonderful worship opportunities and closing non-essential buildings. Yes, some sadness, but overall great gladness and positivity – God is good!  My prayer is that with Cleopas at the helm, leading a wonderful team, you will all continue to experience God’s kindness and wisdom as well as His grace and generosity and many good times will be ahead. Remember me sometimes but not too often and I shall do the same with you all. Thank you for your love and support these past months and for your generosity in your gift – my garden, come springtime, will benefit greatly with new plants and shrubs. My door is always open should you get as far south as the Montrose area; and may God richly bless you all and so let the people say ‘Amen!!’

Linda Broadley – ‘Snaefell’, Lochside Road, St Cyrus DD10 0DB

A New Chapter in Our Church Family

Dear all, Thank you for your generous gift on my departure as Locum for the southern branch of ECCoS.  During my tenure I have been greatly blessed by the support of the Congregation and the wider community.  It was with some trepidation that we tentatively embarked on a Union between our legacy congregations.

Now with hearts full of gratitude and anticipation, we are stepping into a beautiful new season together. The launch of a new ministry is more than just a programme – it is a prayer answered, a vision taking shape, and a fresh opportunity for God’s love to flow through us into our community.

Every ministry begins with a seed – planted in faith, watered with prayer, and nurtured by the hands and hearts of God’s people. Over the coming weeks, we will be building, learning, and serving side by side, trusting that the Lord will guide our steps and multiply our efforts.

Rev Cleopas Takavada, our new minister, needs us to actively engage in the mission of the Church.  This ministry is not just that of Cleopas; it involves all of us – it is God’s work, and we are simply the vessels. Whether you feel called to serve, to pray, or to encourage, your role is vital. Together, we can create a space where lives are touched, hope is restored, and Christ’s light shines brightly.  Let us begin this journey with open hearts, ready to see what God will do. As Scripture reminds us: “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?”

(Isaiah 43:19)

Rev Heather Stewart OLM

Worship in Latheron

NOTE – we meet to worship half an hour earlier each Sunday

Sunday 1^st February 10.30am             Lybster Church

Sunday 8^th February 10.30am             Dunbeath Hall

Sunday 15^th February 10.30am          Lybster Church

Sunday 22^nd February 10.30am          Dunbeath Hall

CREATING A SECURE AND EMPOWERED COMMUNITY FOR ALL
Safeguarding is at the very heart of our Church of Scotland community. It’s about ensuring that every person—whether a child, young person, or adult—feels safe, welcome, and valued in all that we do. But safeguarding is not just a box to tick or something handled by a select few. It’s everyone’s responsibility, from leaders and volunteers to every member of our congregation. Every person in our church possesses the skills and holds the responsibility to help build and nurture a truly safe place for all.  While PVG (Protecting Vulnerable Groups) checks are an important part of our safeguarding toolkit, real safety goes much further. It means making sure our spaces are clean and hygienic, that transport to and from activities is organised with care, and that every church event, big or small, is run with everyone’s wellbeing in mind.  True safeguarding creates an environment where people can thrive, feel empowered, and know that their voices matter. We want our church to be a place where both children and adults are not only protected, but also confident to speak up and act if something doesn’t feel right. Noticing potential signs of abuse—and knowing what to do next—helps us protect one another and build a stronger, more caring church family.
Let’s work together to make our church a space where safety is woven into every action, every day. Because when we all play our part, drawing on our collective skills and commitment, we create a community where everyone can flourish, knowing they are truly safe.

Emily Maclean – Safeguarding Co-ordinator