Active Church Brings Faith and Fun to the Heart of Lhanbryde
In the heart of Lhanbryde, a quiet but transformative movement has taken root. On the third Sunday afternoon of every month, the Community Centre buzzes with energy, laughter and a growing sense of belonging as Active Church welcomes families to experience church in a whole new way.
Driven by St Andrew’s Lhanbryd & Urquhart Parish Church (SALU), Active Church is redefining faith-based community engagement. By bringing the church out of its rural building and into the centre of the village, SALU volunteers have created a vibrant, inclusive environment where families – many of them new to church – can explore spirituality through storytelling, crafts, songs, games and shared meals.
Themes like Bouncy Church, Noisy Church and Olympic Church enthuse young hearts and minds, while tech challenges and crafts spark joy across generations. The fusion of play and prayer is intentional, combining biblical teaching with moments of connection
An additional ripple effect is that Lhanbryde Primary School has invited SALU volunteers to support not only monthly assemblies but also extracurricular clubs such as Knitting Group, Code Club and library time, further embedding Active Church into the fabric of the community. One parent fed back that after hearing the talk at the school assembly, her daughter became more patient with her small brother and more ready to include and be kind to those children who are sometimes left out.
The positive impact of Active Church isn’t just felt, it’s visible. With average numbers of 18 children and 12 adults, a core group of families now attend regularly, including some who are also connected with Step-by-Step, a local charity supporting vulnerable families. And at SALU’s Community Nativity, five Active Church families stepped forward to participate, including a three-month-old baby cast perfectly as baby Jesus, who, fittingly, slept through the whole production.
With a team of 20 volunteers from SALU and financial assistance from Church of Scotland Seeds for Growth Fund and support from North of Scotland Methodist Circuit and Methodist Church in Scotland, Active Church is more than a monthly event; it’s a living example of church planting, creative outreach and compassionate transformation.
The journey has only just begun. After a conference exploring ‘Telling the Stories: New Ways into the Bible,’ there are new initiatives being developed. And with fresh partnerships and eager hearts, Active Church is proving that faith, when shared warmly and boldly, truly comes alive.
