Our involvement with local families includes welcoming them to worship and encouraging their participation, along with work our volunteers do within the wider community.

Junior church

Junior church is the name we use for what some might know as Sunday school. Our junior church runs most Sundays during term time and begins after the first part of the main service. Our lovely team offers crafts and other activities based on the same theme or topic being explored in the main service.

Some children head downstairs with the team on their own, content for their parents to stay in the main service; babies and toddlers are usually accompanied by a parent or carer.

Children are also always welcome to remain in the ‘grown-up’ service if they prefer. We usually have a ‘play as you worship’ box with a few activities/quiet toys in a corner of our sanctuary.

Numbers for junior church vary - we know how busy families are these days. But we’d love to see things grow, so do come along when you can. You will be warmly welcomed.

Mainly Music

Our mainly music group is for pre-schoolers and their parents/carers. Kids can play, parents can have a cuppa, and everyone gets a chance to learn and sing a long with some gentle worship and wellbeing songs.

The group runs on Tuesday mornings from 10-and is very popular so there is sometimes a waiting list. You can find more information on their Facebook page.

Family communion

Twice a year on the last Sundays in April and October we offer a very informal communion service at 3 pm in the afternoon as an alternative to the more formal communion service in the morning.

All ages are welcome to this relaxed and interactive service where we sit around a low table; the children help serve the bread and grapes; and we learn the story and reasons for communion as we go.

The emphasis is on informality (it’s not unusual to have babies crawling around) and education while still honouring and celebrating this important sacrament.

Baptism

Every year we have the delight of baptising a few children. Some are already part of our community, others are at the exploring stage. You can find more information about baptism at the West here.

Schools work

We have good strong relationships with the local schools. Our minister is on the chaplaincy team for our four primary schools and for Inverurie Academy. In addition to assemblies and class work, and special services or events around Christmas and Easter, we welcome class and school visits from the local primary schools. We are also part of the chaplaincy cafe at the Academy, a drop-in which runs on Wednesday lunchtimes.

Ways of being involved

Like all churches, we are always looking for volunteers, and there are lots of activities you can take part in. But we are also keen to explore new ways of engaging with families and with older children and teenagers. If there is something you feel passionate about which you would love to see happening in a local church, please come and talk to us about it - especially if you are able to help us get it going!