Join us at East Craigs Church Centre for a pre-Christmas, fun-filled family afternoon! Book your place now.

Following our Service of Remembrance on Sunday, today at 11.00am we remember all those who have lost their lives in war and in peacekeeping roles. We remember those they left behind. And we remember too those who have returned with physical, often life-changing injuries and mental scars. We pray for all of you.

We pray too for countries facing the atrocities of war today. For those using diplomacy to engage in peace talks. For those unseen, working to protect our shores.

And just like that…

You can listen right here to the official Basis of Union acceptance by Presbytery. This is a joyful, long anticipated (but at times quite painful), future-pointing moment in the story of our congregation and our sincere thanks go to all on the steering group, to Rev Alan Childs and to Elaine Thomson our session clerk for getting us to this point.

We now look forward to joining with Alan and Rev Moira McDonald in team ministry and with our neighbours from Corstorphine Old Parish in a newly formed and united parish: Edinburgh Corstorphine Old and New, from 1 January 2026.

Come and join the fun of Network. The following programme all takes place on Monday evenings with a 7.30pm start in Craigsbank halls (with the exception of the Christmas meal – details to follow).

Network Syllabus 2025/2026

2025

• 6 October – TV Programmes of the Past – Roy Johnston
• 20 October – Cramond Island – Ian Rodger
• 3 November – Beetle Drive
• 17 November – Christmas Crafts – Cherry Gilmour
• 1 December – The accused Witches of Corstorphine – Rev Moira McDonald
• 15 December – Christmas Meal

2026

• 12 January – Channel Islands occupied during World War 2 – Graeme Allan
• 26 January – A tour of the Royal mile – John Gorrie
• 9 February – Your kitchen apothecary herbs & spices for everyday health and wellbeing – Daina Marshall
• 23 February – Colinton Tunnel – Mike Scott
• 19 March – to be advised
• 24 March – AGM and Chippie Night

We are looking for a Church Musician
– Temporary contract for 6 months

Primary role: playing at our 10.30am Sunday morning services
Secondary role: (if available) lead rehearsals for Craigsbank Singers & Musicians.

If you are interested or know of anyone who might be, please contact:  Rev Alan Childs, 19 Craigs Bank, Edinburgh EH12 8HD 0131 334 6365 achilds@churchofscotland.org.uk .

Our friends at New Town Church in George Street are once again the venue for a book fair but this time they are focusing on books published in Scotland, about Scotland or by Scottish authors. Christmas shopping sorted!

FREE MINCE PIES!!!

Join the Bohemians on 11 December at Craigsbank Church,7.30pm. Tickets £10 (£5 under 16s)

This is one of our favourite events at Christmas. Book soon to secure your tickets.

The Bohemians proudly support Rock Trust in their work to End Youth Homelessness

Speak to Alison McKay at a service to book direct or book online: WWW.TICKETSOURCE.CO.UK/BOHEMIANS

Linda McDonald held her book launch for All the Women on Saturday 25 October at Craigsbank Hall. This was a wonderful event attended by many, with emotional and inspirational stories. Congratulations to Linda on her huge success.

All the Women is the story of MUMs (Malawi Underprivileged Mothers). Prompted by a few photographs of mothers and babies in a maternity unit in Malawi, the charity began in the spring of 2005 and grew beyond any expectation. The first MUMs recipe book was published at Christmas that same year and over 55,000 books were sold in 12 years. The journey described in this book shows what can be done when working together for women and children in most need. From Scotland to Malawi, all the women in this story are striving for the same goal, to make a positive difference. How the money was raised and accounted for is described in detail – along with the challenges faced, the inspirational people met and the heartbreak and joys experienced.
 

Messy Church at Corstorphine Old Parish Church will take place on 9 November. Children don’t forget to bring your adult along! This will be a fun afternoon of craft, story, games and refreshments.

Please find below a letter from Rev Alan Childs confirming the results of the vote on Union between Craigsbank and Corstorphine Old Parish at last week’s service.

Dear Craigsbank church members and friends

What a remarkable moment in the story of our congregation. I want to offer heartfelt thanks to every one of you following the outcome of the recent unification vote. Both Craigsbank and Corstorphine Old congregations voted – almost unanimously – to move forward as one united church family under the new name Corstorphine: Old and New.

The voting numbers were as follows, distinguishing between the votes of the Sessions (a few weeks prior) and the Congregations (Sunday past):

Sessions votes
	Craigsbank	Craigsbank	Cor.Old	Cor.Old
	For	Against	For	Against
Basis of Union (excl pa 7 re. ministers)	16	0	17	0
Par 7 ministers in Basis of Union	16	0	19	0
Basis of Team Ministry	16	0	17	0
Congregations votes
	Craigsbank	Craigsbank	Cor.Old	Cor.Old
	For	Against	For	Against
Basis of Union (excl pa 7 re. ministers)	85	1	78	5
Par 7 ministers in Basis of Union	85	1	79	3
Basis of Team Ministry	82	4	78	5

This is an encouraging sign of faith and hope for the future. It reflects a spirit of openness to where God is leading us – a willingness to embrace change not so much as a loss, but as an opportunity for growth, deeper fellowship, and renewed mission.

These results did not appear overnight. They are the fruit of years of General Assembly instructions, local Presbytery implementation, much patient prayer, dialogue, and discernment. I want to pay special tribute to our Steering Group members, whose integrity and thoughtful leadership have been invaluable throughout the process, and to our Kirk Session elders, who have given so much time, care, and wisdom to guide and support both congregations through every stage.

And I want to thank you, the congregation, for your gracious engagement and your faithfulness. You have attended meetings, asked honest questions, listened carefully and kept your hearts open. In doing so, you have made this transition not only possible but hopeful and life-giving.

As we move forward towards uniting formally by 1 January 2026, our shared ministry will take shape in new and exciting ways. Rev Moira McDonald will continue serving primarily as parish minister for the established communities east of Maybury Road, and I will serve as Pioneer Minister, focusing on the developing neighbourhoods to the west – helping to build community, nurture faith among new residents, and, in time, plant a new worshipping congregation there. Together, along with you, we will form a Team Ministry – working collaboratively across the whole of Corstorphine: Old and New parish to realising the Kingdom of God in both familiar and emerging places.

There will, of course, be much to work out in the months ahead, like structures, services, shared activities, but we can do all this with confidence that God’s Spirit has already been at work among us. The generosity, faith, and unity shown through this process give me great hope for what lies ahead. Keep an eye out for next week’s scheduled monthly Westoverland online newsletter when we will be set out in more detail what the unification process will probably look like.

Thank you again for your faith, patience, and participation through these significant years. I feel privileged to serve alongside you in this new season of ministry, and I look forward with genuine excitement to all that God will do in and through us in the years to come.

With every blessing and warmest thanks,

Alan Childs