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.
Play Church
Play Church is a family initiative, hosted by Inverurie West Parish church, and open to all. You do not need to be a member of any church to take part. It takes the form of a monthly session in which children and families can spend time with one another, build connections, and explore some bible stories and themes in ways that are creative and playful.
We usually begin with some warm up games and an introduction of the story/theme. From there we move onto creative participation/enactment around the story (parental participation is optional at this point, but encouraged!) At some point we break for tea/juice/biscuits.
Each Play Church session runs on a Sunday afternoon - either the first or second Sunday of the month (see timetable below) from 3 to 4:30. All ages are welcome, but children should have an accompanying adult.
When is it on?
Play Church 2026/27 will be on the first Sunday of the month from September to December and then on the second Sunday from January to June. This is in order to try to avoid clashing with school holidays/long weekends. There’s no April play church planned due to the challenges of juggling Easter and holidays!
We’ve planned the timetable for a full year, as we know how busy families are. This way you can put dates in the diary and get an idea of which ones you might be able to attend. We’ve also planned the themes in advance so you have an idea what to expect. This year we’re using some of Jesus’ own stories as our jumping off point.
2026 (first Sunday of the month)
- 6 September 2026: Lost and found - the story of the lost sheep
- 4 October 2026: Seeds and weeds - the story of the sower
- 1 November 2026: Neighbours - the story of the Good Samaritan
- 6 December 2026: Building blocks - the story of the wise and foolish builders
2027 (second Sunday of the month, excludes April)
- 10 Jan 2027: New Year - stories of new and old things
- 14 Feb 2027: Fool’s Gold - stories of money
- 14 March 2027: Family matters - story of the lost son
- 9 May 2027: Act like a boss - stories of masters and servants
- 13 June 2027: Peekaboo - stories of hidden treasure and light
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!
