January 2026

2026 is beginning with good news, as your new minister, Rev Cleopas Takavada and his lovely family have arrived in Wick and are settling into the new manse in Millar Avenue. Just thinking back to some of the highlights of 2025, there are almost too many to fit into this edition of the parish newsletter. Perhaps the best news is that the new congregation of ECCoS is ‘going from strength to strength’ and almost every week there are new faces in the congregation of people who have decided to ‘come back to church’!!  It’s wonderful!  I think word is spreading that Sunday Mornings and many other times in the week in Argyle Square are WICKED! – That’s Welcoming, Inspiring, Christ-focused, Kind folks abound, and it’s Encouraging and altogether Delightful. It’s the place to be for sure. And now with your new minster is about to be inducted – don’t miss Saturday 24th January at 12 noon for that very special service, – our prayer is that even more folks will feel called to join the fellowship. Yes, it was sad to have to close St Fergus building as a place of worship, however it is hoped that very soon, the old Kirk will be in the hands of Wick Development Trust and their imaginative plans for a community venue can be put into motion. We need to believe that God is going to grow something wonderful for the community out of what was once a lively Church but at the moment seems eerily quiet. Sometimes, when we doubt that our dearest wish could be possible, we need to remember the most exciting question in the bible, ‘is anything too difficult for the Lord?’  (Genesis18v14) where God promised Abraham and Sarah the impossible, a child in their old age. They had a son, Isaac! Your Church believes in the God who created the universe so in the big scheme of things, He can most certainly realise our wildest dreams and hopes for our community. So dream big, pray earnestly and move forward in faith. And on that note,  thank you for allowing me to minister amongst you for the past couple of years, meeting wonderful people and being involved in SO many good projects. I shall not forget Caithness; God bless you all in the future . . . but I’m not quite away yet – a few more weeks!

Linda Broadley ( Interim Moderator of ECCoS)

Wick Food Bank

East Caithness Church of Scotland is now an official referral agent for Wick Food Bank. This means that if anyone in our church is in need and cannot afford food, or knows of anyone in those circumstances, the team who have undergone training can help with an application to the Food Bank.  Note that no one can approach the Food Bank directly so all initial contact must be made via a referral agency.    Please make contact with ECCOS Food Bank referral team via the minister, Rev. Cleopas Takavada (07778 220452) or Jean McLennan (07836 506150) in the first instance.

In an emergency when a person or family have no food or the means to obtain it, there is an emergency food supply in the vestry that can be handed out by anyone associated with ECCOS.   You do not need to be an office bearer or have particular training to do this.   Please follow the written instructions beside the food parcel as well as handing it over, then tell someone in the ‘team’ as it is important to ensure ongoing support is offered.   Thankyou!

Jean Maclean

A word from our Outreach and Youth worker.          In a world that feels increasingly uncertain, the people of God are called to be neither fearful nor retreating, but faithful and present. Scripture reminds us that “we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Ephesians 2:10). That calling has not diminished with age, change, or cultural shift—it has only become clearer.

It has been a great privilege over this past season to be actively involved in our local schools, bringing Christian assemblies into classrooms and building relationships with children through after-school and lunchtime football clubs. These are not small things. Seeds are being sown—often quietly, sometimes unnoticed—but always faithfully. Children are hearing the name of Jesus spoken with clarity and kindness. They are seeing the Church not as a distant building, but as people who show up, listen, encourage, and care.  This work belongs to all of us. Some plant, some water, but God gives the growth. Your prayers and support make this possible. We also warmly welcome our new minister, Cleopas Takavada, along with his family, into our Church and community. A new season always brings both challenge and opportunity, but Scripture assures us that “the Lord goes before you and will be with you” (Deuteronomy 31:8). We look forward to walking together in faith, unity, and shared purpose.    Let us remain rooted in Christ, confident in His promises, and bold in love. The Gospel is still good news—for Caithness, for our children, and for generations yet to come.

God Bless You ALL and Happy New Year!!                   Rob Petersen

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’

‘Growing Together’ – 2026

This ‘term’ the consensus is that we study Paul’s 1st letter to the young Church in Corinth, so the books are ordered and we begin on Wednesday 14th January in the upstairs meeting room at 7pm.

Everyone is welcome to join us and no previous study experience is needed – just a desire to know a wee bit more about the amazing book – the Bible. We sing a little, pray a little, have a cup of coffee/tea and talk as much or as little as you feel you can. Come and join us

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.

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 13th January it’s a ‘New Year’ celebration with Maureen Millar. Great fellowship, always something to learn and take away as well; look forwards to seeing you.

Looking forwards and looking back

Early next year, we shall celebrate the induction of the first minister of our new congregation. Just 12 months ago, we were celebrating the formation of that new congregation – East Caithness Church of Scotland. There has been a lot of hard work put in by our nominating committee in that last year to get us to this point. For that we give them our heartfelt thanks. For the upcoming induction we have been asked to prepare a ‘narrative’ for Presbytery, telling the story of how we got here.  To complete that narrative we had to supply names and dates of the last ministers who served in this parish.

The process of doing that has reminded me again that the history of our congregation is not just 12 months long. For part of our Church family the process, which comes to a head next month with the induction of Rev Cleopas Takavada, began as Rev Gordon Oliver retired and Rev Alistair Gray moved to Keith in 2015. That’s 10 years during which time people have been faithfully serving God, maintaining worship in their communities and prayerfully working towards inducting a new minister. The same is true of the two Wick congregations which became vacant in the last 5 years. But even so, where we are today is not solely the result of one year or ten years. We build this new congregation on the shoulders of those who worked faithfully over the centuries in the congregations of Berriedale, Dunbeath Ross, Latheron, Lybster, Bruan, Thrumster, Watten, Bower, Wick Central, West, St Andrews, Old Parish and Bridge Street. These all make up part of our heritage. So let’s move forward into 2026, looking ahead to the many good things God has in store for us, knowing too, that He will support us and guide us when times get tough. Let’s give thanks for those who went before us, let’s give thanks for those who work and witness in this parish today, let’s prayerfully support our new minister and his family, giving thanks for them and welcoming them into our community and church family.

Iain Maclean – Session Clerk of ECCoS

Blythswood Shoe Box Appeal

You, friends of ECCoS, received a superb letter of appreciation and thanks for everything you sent to Blythswood late last year, in filled boxes and also the £650 from November’s ‘sales table’ – well done!  These boxes are really valued at Christmas and still for many in Eastern Europe it’s the only gift at Christmas that many, both old and young, receive. Most recipients are still surviving month to month, and many are struggling to feed their families. Nobody ever declines the gift and all are glad to receive a little help.  So do save your boxes thro’out the year, and look out for the leaflets in the autumn listing what is needed. It seemed to work well with you all just filling your own boxes, and bringing them to church, and if you just have boxes I’m sure someone will cover them for others.  Team work makes this dream work! Thankyou!!

Letter from Cleopas, your new locum and ‘minister to be’

Grace and peace to you.

I write to you as I arrive in East Caithness and begin my ministry among you as Minister Elect/locum. I am very pleased to share that my family and I travelled well yesterday the 29^th of December 2025 and arrived safely.  We are now settled in the manse on Miller Avenue. We are grateful for the care and preparation that has gone into making this possible.    I am very much looking forward to getting to know you all in the wider congregation, and to serving alongside you as I take up my role as locum, pending my induction on 24 January 2026. As I begin this new chapter with you, I want to express my thanks for the welcome already shown and my appreciation for your faithful commitment to the Church. I look forward to meeting with you in person very soon and to working together in the service of Christ and His Church in East Caithness.

With every blessing, and my greetings in the Lord,

Yours in Christ’s service,        Rev Cleopas Takavada

Our Giving Table – Wick branch of ‘Highland Hospice’

This may be the last month of the giving table, unless others wish to provide ‘saleable’ items every month. The present source of ‘preserves’ as one faithful customer calls the marmalade, jam and lemon curd, will cease at the end of January, but there is no reason why the table can’t continue with your input!! For January we propose supporting Highland Hospice, inter 30th year in Caithness This charity

provides valuable end of life care for many who are terminally ill. They need your donations -so thankyou!!

*East Caithness Church of Scotland (ECCOS)*

       Lybster and Dunbeath weekly  activities – January 2026

Sunday  4th January – Service in Lybster Church 11am

* * *NOTE – please come early for New Year Bacon Rolls and coffee* * *

Sunday 11th January- Service in Dunbeath Hall 11am

Sunday  18th January – service in Lybster Church   11am

Sunday 25th January – Service  in Dunbeath Hall   11am

* * *  ON Saturday 24th January, the service of induction of Rev
Cleopas Takavada will be in Argyle Square Church at 12 noon * *

 Please note that Sunday service times may change in February as Rev Cleopas Takavada will be responsible for providing leadership cover for services in both Argyle Square and Latheron

Lybster Church is available for baptisms, weddings and funerals

**Please ask**

In Lybster Church Hall during January the following continues

             – All are welcome to join where they wish –

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

* * * Restarts 12th January

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 and 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 upwards

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

*ECCOS – Argyle Square Church, Wick*                                        

Calendar of Activities for January 2026

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

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

Sunday evening worship – at 6.30pm

4th and 18th November – in Argyle Square

11th and 25th November- In Baptist Church in Dempster Street

Sunday 11th January – service in Pultenyhouse at 3pm

Last Sunday 6.30pm  – Cafe Church in old hall  – January 25th

Discussion over coffee and delicious eats. Drop in and join us in the old hall. January topic is ‘Robie Burns and the impact of fame on relationships?’

Each week day:-

Tuesday – 7-9pm in upstairs lounge –  Forge continues and all men welcome every week

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

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

Wednesday  7-9pm – ‘Growing Together’ bible study and prayer in upstairs lounge.  We are looking at 1st Corinthians – challenging but VERY interesting. Come and join us. No question is too obscure!!

Thursday  3.30-5pm – Super Club for primary age children  –

Friday 2-4pm – Knit and Natter in upstairs lounge – refreshments!

This Month:-

Thursday 8th January – Kirk Session meets at 7pm

Sunday 11th Jan. – fellowship lunch after morning service

Sunday 11th Jan. – Service in Pulteneyhouse Care home at 3pm

Tuesday 13th January— Caithness Guild meets at 2.30pm for ‘New Year celebration with Maureen Millar’ – this is an OPEN meeting and all are welcome

Saturday 24th January at 12noon – Induction of Rev Cleopas Takavada as minister of ECCoS