Free Church of Scotland reaching out in Inverness and Tornagrain
The Free Church is expanding its ministry in two different local neighbourhoods.
A new church "plant" has been established for the growing community of Tornagrain while the Merkinch Free Church has also been established in Inverness.
Church "planting" is the process to establish a brand new local Christian congregation.
Tornagrain Community Church was established just a few weeks ago and is holding services for a trial period at Petty Church of Scotland.
It is being led by Rev Innes MacSween who is also assistant minister at Smithton Free Church.
Speaking to The Record, the monthly magazine of the Free Church of Scotland, he said: "Smithton Church has been planning a plant for years now although Covid delayed us.
"A team began to coalesce in mid 2021 with a view towards the nearby development of Culloden West, but wisdom and opportunity changed our focus to Tornagrain and I moved there in April 2022."
He added: "Unlike some new housing developments Tornagrain is being built with a very clear vision of creating a community rather than just new houses, something we are emphasising as part of our own vision for the new church, where our mission statement is: Sharing the hope of Jesus in the community, through community."
Weekly services are being held at the Petty Church on Sundays at 10am.
"Everyone living in that region along the A96 is warmly invited to come and join us," Rev MacSween said.
More information is available at www.tornagrainchurch.org
At the same time Merkinch Free Church has also been established.
Connected to the congregation of the Free North Church services take place at the church in Madras Street on Sundays at 2.30pm. A café is also open there on Thursdays.
