Easter Sunday 2024 brought communities from the streets of Craigsbank and East Craigs – and much further afield – together for a very special Cafe Church service. Those who gathered did so round tables of friends, family and strangers, and enjoyed baskets filled with hot cross buns, scones, chocolate-crispie easter cakes, coffee and tea, jams and honey. They enjoyed too the company across generations, heartfelt prayer, the sound of young voices from Junior Music Makers AND three baptisms. The children were swept up in daffodil and seed planting and a superb easter egg hunt in the sanctuary. All left uplifted.
‘Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.’
On Easter Saturday, the Edinburgh Easter Play took place in Princes Street Gardens to a crowd of some 600, following the street players as they moved around the gardens acting out the life of Jesus. The actors always give everything to this annual event and the sound carries right across the gardens. No matter how familiar from our reading of the bible, some scenes were deeply moving, powerful, upsetting. It is entirely different to see the story played out before you.
The crowd was made up from local Christians, interested by-standers, tourists and those who had never before heard the story of Christ.
At one point, I stood next to a young Scottish woman in her late 20s who knew the name of Jesus, knew he was in the bible but this was her first introduction to the story of his life, death and resurrection. She was deeply moved and very interested to know more.
And then there was the young man who was obviously enjoying his Easter weekend and exclaimed in horror, ‘they are crucifying someone in Edinburgh in broad daylight!’. And indeed they were, under the towers of New College.
Both left with memories they will not forget. As did I.
Easter is a very special point in our calendar and we want to mark it with you.
We are doing things a little differently this year. Come along to a cafe-style event for a chance to enjoy live, soul-stirring music, stories, all age activities, chat and a decent cup of coffee (or tea) and a bun. And be there as we welcome three friends through baptism.
If you do one thing for yourself this Easter, make it this.
Edinburgh’s Easter Play is a treasured event, much admired the world over. Do mark the date in the your diary.
This year, Easter Saturday will fall in March. The play will be performed in Princes Street Gardens West at 2pm on Saturday 30th March 2024. As always, the show is free of charge.
Edinburgh’s Easter Play takes place in Princes Street Garden on 8 April at 2pm. Mark it in your diary now and turn up early to get a good spot. No need to book. The performance is free.
Two extra activities are planned this year. A Treasure Hunt starts at 12.30pm and is open to all children accompanied by at least one adult. Test your Easter knowledge by finding prompts and collecting presents. To avoid disappointment, please book ahead for the Treasure Hunt here. And a Giving Tree provides an opportunity to donate to national and international causes. Pick a tag to find out how to donate to local and international causes, or how to support our INSPIRE disability arts project.
More information on the Easter Play can be found here.
During Holy Week 2023 we are working with churches across Corstorphine, Edinburgh to mark each day of this very special time in the Christian year. Join us when you can – for one service or for all.
Mon 3 April
Tue 4 April
Wed 5 April
Thu 6 April
Fri 7 April
Sun 8 April
Morning
08:00am – Morning Service followed by a simple breakfast at St Ninians Corstorphine
08:00am – Morning Service followed by a simple breakfast at St Andrews Clermiston
08:00am – Morning Service followed by a simple breakfast at Corstorphine OldParish
08:00am – Morning Service followed by a simple breakfast at Craigsbank Church
08:00am – Morning Service followed by a simple breakfast at East Craigs Church
10:30am – Easter Sunday Service at East Craigs and at Corstorphine Old Parish
Evening
6:00 pm – Evening Service at St Annes Corstorphine
6:00 pm – Evening Service at St Ninians Corstorphine
6:00 pm – Evening Service at St Andrews Clermiston
7:00pm – Maundy Thursday Evening Communion Service at Craigsbank Church
During Holy Week 2023 we are working with churches across Corstorphine, Edinburgh to mark each day of this very special time in the Christian year. Join us when you can – for one service or for all.
Mon 3 April
Tue 4 April
Wed 5 April
Thu 6 April
Fri 7 April
Sun 8 April
Morning
08:00am – Morning Service followed by a simple breakfast at St Ninians Corstorphine
08:00am – Morning Service followed by a simple breakfast at St Andrews Clermiston
08:00am – Morning Service followed by a simple breakfast at Corstorphine OldParish
08:00am – Morning Service followed by a simple breakfast at Craigsbank Church
08:00am – Morning Service followed by a simple breakfast at East Craigs Church
10:30am – Easter Sunday Service at East Craigs and at Corstorphine Old Parish
Evening
6:00 pm – Evening Service at St Annes Corstorphine
6:00 pm – Evening Service at St Ninians Corstorphine
6:00 pm – Evening Service at St Andrews Clermiston
7:00pm – Maundy Thursday Evening Communion Service at Craigsbank Church
During Holy Week 2023 we are working with churches across Corstorphine, Edinburgh to mark each day of this very special time in the Christian year. Join us when you can – for one service or for all.
Mon 3 April
Tue 4 April
Wed 5 April
Thu 6 April
Fri 7 April
Sun 8 April
Morning
08:00am – Morning Service followed by a simple breakfast at St Ninians Corstorphine
08:00am – Morning Service followed by a simple breakfast at St Andrews Clermiston
08:00am – Morning Service followed by a simple breakfast at Corstorphine OldParish
08:00am – Morning Service followed by a simple breakfast at Craigsbank Church
08:00am – Morning Service followed by a simple breakfast at East Craigs Church
10:30am – Easter Sunday Service at East Craigs and at Corstorphine Old Parish
Evening
6:00 pm – Evening Service at St Annes Corstorphine
6:00 pm – Evening Service at St Ninians Corstorphine
6:00 pm – Evening Service at St Andrews Clermiston
7:00pm – Maundy Thursday Evening Communion Service at Craigsbank Church
During Holy Week 2023 we are working with churches across Corstorphine, Edinburgh to mark each day of this very special time in the Christian year. Join us when you can – for one service or for all.
Mon 3 April
Tue 4 April
Wed 5 April
Thu 6 April
Fri 7 April
Sun 8 April
Morning
08:00am – Morning Service followed by a simple breakfast at St Ninians Corstorphine
08:00am – Morning Service followed by a simple breakfast at St Andrews Clermiston
08:00am – Morning Service followed by a simple breakfast at Corstorphine OldParish
08:00am – Morning Service followed by a simple breakfast at Craigsbank Church
08:00am – Morning Service followed by a simple breakfast at East Craigs Church
10:30am – Easter Sunday Service at East Craigs and at Corstorphine Old Parish
Evening
6:00 pm – Evening Service at St Annes Corstorphine
6:00 pm – Evening Service at St Ninians Corstorphine
6:00 pm – Evening Service at St Andrews Clermiston
7:00pm – Maundy Thursday Evening Communion Service at Craigsbank Church