From the Minister’s Desk

Dear Friends,

October arrives quietly in Caithness. The days shorten, the evenings draw in, and the landscape begins to change. Summer gives way to Autumn, and the rhythm of life settles into something different.

There is something deeply biblical about the changing of seasons. Scripture reminds us that there is a time for everything under heaven. The God who is faithful in Summer is equally faithful in Autumn. The God who meets us in seasons of growth also meets us in seasons of transition.

As a church, we too find ourselves in a season of new beginnings.

Over recent months we have seen God doing many things among us — from baptisms and Holiday Club to new opportunities for children, young people and adults to gather, learn, pray and grow together. September brought further changes and new beginnings, including our joint Communion service and changes within our congregational leadership.

And now, as we enter October, we continue to ask the Lord to lead us.

Our calling remains beautifully simple:

Knowing Christ; Sharing the hope.

We want to know Jesus more deeply, to grow together as His people, and to share the hope of the Gospel with the communities God has entrusted to us.

One of the most exciting expressions of that calling is something very practical — our new church minibus.

A New Minibus — Serving Our Church and Our Community

We are delighted to announce that East Caithness Church has purchased a new minibus.

This is much more than the replacement of an old vehicle. We see it as another practical tool through which the church can serve people and participate in God’s mission across Caithness.

One of its main purposes is to help our older members who may otherwise find it difficult to travel to church on a Sunday. We want people to have the opportunity to gather for worship, fellowship and friendship, even when transport might otherwise become a barrier.

But the minibus is not only for our congregation.

We are also making the minibus available for hire by community groups in and around Caithness.

There are many organisations across our communities doing valuable work with children, young people, families and adults. Groups travel for activities, competitions, outings and events, and reliable transport can make an enormous difference.

We are therefore pleased that our new minibus can become a practical resource for the wider community.

In this way, the minibus represents something important about how we understand the church’s mission. We are not here simply to occupy a building on a Sunday. We are here to serve people, to build relationships, to remove barriers and to demonstrate in practical ways the love of Christ.

The minibus will, of course, need to remain available for the transport of our older members to Sunday worship. Community bookings will therefore normally be available up to Saturday, ensuring that the needs of our congregation on Sundays remain our first priority.

We give thanks to God for providing this resource, and to everyone whose generosity and practical support have made it possible.

Our prayer is simple: may this minibus take people where they need to go, and may God use every journey for His glory.

A Church That Cares

Last month we introduced our pastoral care team, drawing particularly on the people who deliver our church newsletter throughout Wick, Lybster, Dunbeath and Watten.

This ministry continues to develop.

We want East Caithness Church to be a church that notices people.

There are many people living within our communities who may be experiencing loneliness, illness, bereavement, anxiety, family difficulties or simply the challenges that come with growing older.

Sometimes pastoral care begins with something very simple: someone noticing.

A visit.

A telephone call.

A cup of tea.

A listening ear.

A prayer.

A willingness to say, “How are you really doing?”

Jesus describes Himself as the Good Shepherd. He knows His sheep, cares for them and does not abandon them.

That is the kind of church we are becoming.

A church that notices.
A church that listens.
A church that cares.
A church that walks alongside people.

And if you are reading this newsletter and wondering whether the church is here for you, the answer is yes.

You do not need to be a church member to ask for prayer, pastoral support or a conversation.

Please do not hesitate to get in touch.

From “Break Out for Summer” to a Tuesday Youth Breakout at the Manse

During our Holiday Club week in August, around ten teenagers took part in Break Out for Summer. What began as a week of games, food, friendship, films and conversations about faith has encouraged us to think about how we can continue creating spaces for young people.

We are therefore delighted that our Tuesday High School Breakout has now begun. The youth will be meeting every Tuesday at the Manse (Minister’s House) in Miller Avenue in Wick from 6pm to 7:30pm

This is an opportunity for teenagers to meet together, have fun, build friendships and explore life’s big questions in a welcoming environment.

We pray that this will become more than another programme in the church diary. We pray that it will become a place where young people know that they are welcomed, listened to and valued, and where they can encounter the claims of Jesus Christ for themselves.

Please pray for our young people and for those leading this ministry.

Growing Together

Our Wednesday Growing Together Deeper Dive continues to provide an opportunity for adults to go deeper into God’s Word, ask questions and grow in faith together.

Christian faith is not simply something we inherit or something we practise on Sundays. We are called to grow.

The apostle Peter encourages believers:

“But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.” — 2 Peter 3:18

That is our desire as a congregation, not simply to become busier, but to become deeper; not simply to have more activities, but to become more Christ-centred; not simply to gather more people, but to see lives transformed by the Gospel.

The Forge — Men Growing Together

Our Forge Men’s Fellowship continues every Monday evening from 7:00pm to 9:00pm in the Coffee Bar at Argyle Square Church.

The name “Forge” speaks of something being shaped and strengthened.

Men need places where they can speak honestly, build friendships, encourage one another and consider what it means to follow Christ faithfully in family, work, church and community.

We would love to see more men joining us. Come as you are. Bring a friend. Share the journey.

A New Time for Prayer

Prayer must remain at the heart of everything we do.

Programmes, buildings, vehicles, plans and activities cannot replace dependence upon God.

For that reason, we are beginning a Tuesday Prayer Meeting, from 12 noon to 1:00pm, starting on Tuesday 6th October.

This will be a simple opportunity to gather together and pray for our church, our communities, our families, our nation and the work of the Gospel.

We believe that some of the most important things that happen in East Caithness Church will never appear in a newsletter or on a notice sheet. They will happen when God’s people quietly bow their heads and seek Him.

Please come and pray with us. You can also give us your prayer requests if you cannot manage to come in person.

Our Sunday Journey — Sermon Series on Acts

As we gather for worship during October, we continue our journey through the book of Acts.

The early church was not perfect. It faced opposition, uncertainty, internal challenges and unexpected changes. Yet through all of this, the Gospel continued to advance.

Acts reminds us that the church is not ultimately carried by human strength.

Jesus is building His church. The Holy Spirit is empowering His people. The Gospel continues to move forward.

Our recent theme, “What prevents me?”, from Acts 8:26–40 reminded us that Jesus is the Way, the Door and the One who brings us into the Kingdom of God.

As we move into Acts 9, we come to one of the most dramatic encounters in the whole Bible: the conversion of Saul of Tarsus.

Saul went out intending to arrest Christians. He encountered Christ. And everything changed.

Our theme will be: “ARRESTED BY GRACE” Acts 9:1–19

The resurrection of Jesus Christ stands at the heart of the Christian Gospel. The conversion of Saul demonstrates the transforming power of that risen Christ. No one is beyond the reach of God’s grace.

As we hear this remarkable story, may we be reminded that the Jesus who met Saul on the Damascus Road is still able to confront, save, transform and send people today.

Thank You for Walking With Us

As another month begins, I want to thank everyone who gives so generously of their time, energy, prayers and resources to East Caithness Church.

Some serve publicly, others serve quietly, some lead, others encourage.

Some preach or teach.

Others prepare rooms, make tea, print newsletters, provide transport, visit people, pray faithfully or simply turn up and welcome someone at the door. Every act of service matters.

Paul reminds us:

“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” — 1 Corinthians 15:58

May that be our encouragement as we enter this new season. Let us keep knowing more of Christ.

Let us keep sharing the hope and let us keep serving together for the glory of God.

In Christ’s service and with genuine affection,
REV. CLEOPAS TAKAVADA
MINISTER, EAST CAITHNESS CHURCH
MOBILE: 07778 220452

East Caithness Church

Knowing Christ; Sharing the hope

Sunday Worship:
10:30am — Lybster (Except when we have a joint service in Wick)
12 noon — Wick, Argyle Square Church (Except when we have a joint service in Lybster)

All are welcome.

East Caithness Church of Scotland
Scottish Charity No. SC 001291