Thurso West Church of Scotland

Church Organisations

Young People

In common with many other churches, the number of young people coming to church has gone down markedly over the years. None the less, Thurso West has maintained an organisation to welcome young people to the church. The Sunday School meets in school term time from August until early June. It meets at the same time as the weekly service and the children are part of the service for the first twenty minutes or so. We have three people approved and qualified to run the Sunday School - with two additional fully approved people if required - and they currently use the Scripture Union’s ‘Family of Light’ materials as a basis for teaching. The annual picnic and nativity play are always hugely enjoyable events and the children also play their part in special events such as the recent service to celebrate the return to our newly 

The Guild

The Guild meets on the first and third Thursdays from September to March and currently has about 25 members, all ladies! A committee arranges a variety of speakers and hostesses for the meetings with small groups taking turns to lead worship. Coffee mornings are arranged twice a year with proceeds going to the church and other local charities. There is a very good relationship with other guilds in Caithness involving regular visits to each other as well as an annual united dinner. The Guild of Thurso West is also part of the rota for the annual World Day of Prayer and Easter Praise Services.

Choir

Thurso West has a rich musical heritage with the choir having a significant part to play. Currently the choir, under the leadership of the Church Organist, has a membership of around 15 with sopranos, altos, tenors and basses all represented, although not in equal proportion The choir, which has used CH4 from its introduction, performs an introit, offering piece and recessional at every service, accompanied by either a Rodgers digital organ or Yamaha clavinova. Pieces are chosen for all seasons of the Christian year so the choir has developed a wide repertoire that is occasionally put to use for special services in the West Church and elsewhere. Rehearsals are held every Monday evenings in the church hall.

Other Organisations

The church hall is used regularly throughout the week by both church and non-church groups, such as the WRI, the Fat Quarter Quilters, and the University of the Third Age (U3A).