As we read in Hebrews 13v8, “Jesus is the same, yesterday, today and for ever.” And when we precede every challenge we face with a time of prayer, really seeking God’s way, then for sure all will be well. So, on that note…

Most of the activities and organisations in what is now East Caithness Church of Scotland – Argyle Square (which can, if you wish, be abbreviated to ECCOS) are starting up again in the next couple of weeks – see ongoing events! But before that there needs to be an official uniting of the congregations of ECCOS and that service will take place on Saturday 18th January at 2pm in the Church in Argyle Square where everyone is welcome to come and share in this VERY special service. It will be led by our Presbytery Moderator, Rev Doug McRoberts. Once the union is official, the Presbytery will give permission to advertise for a new minister for ECCOS who will become part of the team ministry in the whole county. For me the exciting fact is that God has already decided who will be coming to minister in your area and our challenge is to find that person – or persons – it could be a couple who want to job share, as was the case when I was in Orkney a few years ago. In the meantime, your office bearers will continue to work at passing the former Wick St Fergus building into new ownership as a community asset and our prayer is that the General Trustees will look favourably and speedily at the current offer on the table. But for now and for your way forward I give you the words of the king’s grandfather, George VI, who said in his 1939 radio broadcast to the nation, “Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the hand of God. That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way.”

May you be blessed in 2025 and know the peace of God in everything you do.

Linda Broadley (locum minister in ECCOS – Argyle Square)

Overcoming our fears

Recently the Church of Scotland in the East of Caithness has been marked by a degree of fear. There has been a fear of Presbytery decisions, a fear of different ways of worship, a fear of loss. It is fair to say that everyone involved in the Church in this area has felt the fear of uncertainty.

In this last month, however, I hope that we have all been able to set that aside for a short while. Decisions had been made, and votes had been taken. That meant that the last month of 2024 could be a breathing space for us all.

Advent was a time when we could set aside today’s worries and journey back to the nativity setting: we could take ourselves back to the hillside of Bethlehem and hear the angels declare – “Fear not ….” And as the shepherds went to see the newborn baby with their own eyes, so we too were able to see again with the eye of faith the events of that special day over two thousand years ago. It is my hope and prayer that as we have reflected on the Christmas story this year, we have strengthened our faith.

So it is with refreshed faith that we now move forward into the new year. New beginnings for a new congregation; new surroundings for some; and, we hope, a new minister for all. There will be times when it will feel that things are rushing through too fast and times when nothing seems to be moving, but be assured that there are many faithful people across the congregation who are working hard to ensure that we do continue to move forward.

I wish you all a Happy New Year, but that happiness will only come if we can lay aside our fear and strengthen our faith so that, then, we can move forward together into what God has planned for this county and for this congregation — the East Caithness Church of Scotland.

Iain Maclean – Session Clerk, pro tem

Donating to your Church

You can, at any time, give money for the ongoing work of East Caithness Church of Scotland via our bank account. In the short term the bank details remain the same:

Account name

Pulteneytown and Thrumster Church

Bank

Bank of Scotland

Sort Code

80-09-96

Account number

00704587

Or we have Gift Aid envelopes in the church if you are a tax payer. The work of the Church goes far beyond Caithness; we have missionaries overseas and many homes and projects in Scotland; every penny counts, so again “thanks”.

E-mail newsletter

Thanks to those of you who did send your e-mail number already but I know there are more! So it may be that you have an e-mail address but the Church doesn’t have it yet! Especially those who used to be in Wick St Fergus, if you would like to receive your newsletter and other kirk information by e-mail, please send your e-mail address to lindabroadley@btinternet.com and I shall add you to our list. It certainly would make deliveries easier, save paper and be more efficient for the future. And “thanks”.

January Charity — donate via our little sales table

Scripture Union (SU) Scotland’s seasonal message is “will you help to light up Scotland – one young life at a time?” To date SU has made connections with over 45,000 young people – that’s about 5% of Scotland’s children – with their various activities but the vision for the next three years is to reach 10% of children, or more. And it may be that some of our Super Club youngsters will be able to attend an SU camp this summer – wouldn’t that be good? So thanks as always for your generous help!

PS thanks a million for all that you gave to Christian Aid’s appeal for the homeless in Sudan during last month.

New Members of ECCOS in Argyle Square

We had a brilliant service at the beginning of December when 15 new members joined the Kirk, three of them being baptised beforehand. And there are more new members to come. If you have been thinking about committing your life to Jesus in Church membership then now could be your time. Please feel free to talk to Linda, the Locum and it can be arranged, but wherever you are on your faith journey know that you are loved!

Up-coming and on-going events in your Church

• 5th January: First service of East Caithness Church of Scotland in Argyle Square at 11.30am. Coffee served before from 10.45am.
• 5th January: Evening service in ECCOS Argyle Square at 6.30pm.
• 8th January: Weekly Coffee Club resumes from 10–12noon.
• 12th January: Morning worship in Argyle Square at 11.30am.
• 14th January: ECCOS Kirk Session meets in the sanctuary at 1pm for soup lunch and at 2pm for ordinary business.
• 14th January: Wick Guild meets at 2.30pm for a New Year celebration in the old hall.
• 15th January: Growing Together bible study and prayer 7–9pm in upstairs lounge. It’s Hebrews this term — study books are available.
• 16th January: Super Club restarts from 3.30–5pm.
• 17th January: Knit and Natter restarts in upstairs lounge — 2–4pm.
• 18th January: Service of Union of East Caithness Church of Scotland in Argyle Square at 2pm. ALL are welcome.