Regional Worker, North Highlands, Western Isles & Orkney
Inverness
IV3 5JU
From Inverness to Stornoway and from Kirkwall to Portree, it is a joy to work with SU Scotland in the Highlands, Western Isles and Orkney. This is an area with a rich Christian heritage where there are many opportunities to help children and young people explore the Bible and respond to the significance of Jesus in schools, residential events and missions.
There is always a need for new and returning volunteers to help sustain and grow these ministries. If time is too limited to volunteer, you can support the region financially on this page too. The more people involved in volunteering and giving – the more we can do.
For a full picture of what is happening locally, and to fuel your prayers, please sign up to receive regular prayer updates.
SU holidays and weekends
Young people from P5-S6 can enjoy a weekend away or a longer SU Holiday. They are a brilliant place for having great fun, deepening relationships, enjoying delicious food, and exploring the Bible. The SU Holidays website has the latest information.
There are Regional Weekends taking place at our Alltnacriche centre, near Aviemore, in September (for P5-P7), November (for S1-S6) and May (for P5-P7).
Volunteers to be group leaders, general helpers or catering team members are always needed. Whether getting involved for a first time or getting involved again after a period away you would be very welcome.
SCHOOLS
Lunchtime and after school SU Groups help children and young people explore the Bible and respond to the significance of Jesus through activities such as storytelling, crafts, discussion, games, music and prayer. The volunteers who run them are parents, grandparents, school staff, chaplains, members of local churches and senior pupils.
There are many places where an SU Group would be warmly welcomed by school staff. All we need are the volunteers. You can do it and you can Make a Difference.
I would be delighted to hear from you:
- If you want to know about SU Groups running near you
- If you are interested in joining the team of an existing SU Group
- If you want to have an informal conversation about getting an SU Group started and the training and resources available
Or perhaps you would like to be trained to deliver Bible Alive sessions as part of the curriculum in classes in your area?
Discipleship and training
For young leaders we have events to disciple, train and support them to serve God.
- Equip Pupil Leader Training runs through the year for senior pupils getting involved in running their school SU Group.
- The October Go Conference aim to help S4-S6 pupils be better equipped to live as disciples in school and among their peers.
- The COmMISSION programme trains and prepares 16-23 year olds to be team members at SU Holidays and Missions. I co-lead LeadUP our event for student aged young people.
Who are the young people in your church who would grow in their faith from being at an event where there is Bible teaching, worship, fellowship with peers, and training to serve God? Encourage them to look at the options and book up.
PRAYER
One of SU Scotland’s values is dependence on God. We are immensely grateful to all our supporters who faithfully pray for the ministries. Here are three ways you can be involved in praying for SU Scotland in the Highlands, Western Isles and Orkney.
- Three times a year a regional prayer letter is produced to give you an overview of what is happening. You can receive this by post or email.
- There is a monthly email prayer update with specific thanksgiving and prayer requests about current activities.
- Join with others at an SU prayer meeting. There are groups in Inverness, Drumnadrochit, Ross-shire, Sutherland, Caithness and Lochaber, meeting in person or on Zoom.
To receive the prayer letter, email prayer update or get information about local SU prayer meetings contact Colin Carmichael.
CHURCHES
The Highlands, Western Isles and Orkney is a very large area, meaning I cannot be everywhere at once. However, there are churches across the region and I would love to support them as they seek to reach the children and young people in their communities. Please get in touch if you would like support in ways such as training and equipping youth leaders, running a holiday club or mission, organising a curriculum event for your local school or if you would like your youth group invited to our events.
I have been working with SU Scotland since 2002 but my involvement goes back to Primary 6 when a new headteacher started a school SU Group with another staff member. From there my SU journey began and continues today.
Where could the SU journey for you or a young person in your community begin and continue?
