Church without Walls

Our main focus has been the developing of individual gifts, allowing members of the congregation to use their particular skills and experience to lead in different ways.

•  Bible Study and Prayer : A group has met regularly for several years within the church, with individual members leading in the minister's absence.

•  Special Church Groups : From time-to-time, the Church runs Alpha courses and discussions, a number of weekday afternoon study/discussion groups, and a Discipleship Course from which it is expected other groups will be spawned.

•  Worship Team : Several members of the congregation now regularly participate in morning worship by leading prayer, reading the Scripture lesson or giving a children's address. In the occasional absence of the Minister, Elders conduct Evening Services.

•  Praise : The recent acquisition of a new organ and keyboard will be followed by the introduction of new songs, with time being made available for learning new tunes and Powerpoint presentation of words. Our standard hymnal is Complete Mission Praise, and our standard pew bible is the New International Version.

•  Church meals : ‘Soup and sweet' lunches are organised six times a year, hosted by district teams, in Fortrose church following morning service. The kitchen facilities have been recently improved, and in the summer months Saturday coffee mornings contribute to community outreach. Coffee/tea is also served before the morning service in Fortrose church, and has had the welcome result of encouraging people to arrive early and exchange news and views.

•  Communications : The Fortrose-Rosemarkie Communications Officer produces a colourfully illustrated Kirk Bulletin each week with details of church and community activities. A magazine entitled FAR REACHING to which members of the congregation contribute articles, creative writing and correspondence is published three times a year.

Fortrose is the Black Isle's main service centre, with first rate medical centre, community/leisure facilities, library and educational provision. Fortrose Academy serves the whole of the Black Isle and continues to have an excellent reputation for the quality of education offered.

While local services provide some employment, many people living within the parish travel daily towork in Inverness , the Highland capital, which also provides a large range of facilities within easy access. In addition, the attractions of the parish have meant that many people choose the area for retirement.