Christian Aid COFFEE MORNING

Saturday 10 May, 10:30-12 noon, Craigsbank Halls – MAKE A NOTE

Join us for a coffee morning in aid of Christian Aid. Tickets are available from the Church office or after Sunday Services, or on the door. A voluntary donation of £5 is suggested.

Our coffee mornings are always popular – with the very tastiest home baking! PLUS, there will be a book sale and tombola to enjoy too.

Pop the date in your diary now and we’ll get busy in the kitchen…

Rest in Peace – on the death of Pope Francis

‘Compassion and integrity are two leadership qualities the world is in dire need of right now. With Pope Francis today having left this life for the next, we have lost an inspirational leader who embodied both. May his legacy inspire us to follow in his footsteps as much as he followed in those of Jesus. Rest in peace having done well, good and faithful servant of our Lord.’

Rev Alan Childs, 21 April 2025

Ubuntu African Choir – what a show!

In the form of the Ubuntu African Choir, alumni of the African children’s choir brought colour and music and rhythm to Craigsbank on Saturday evening to the delight of all of those who attended. They then enriched the Sunday morning service at East Craigs with two haunting pieces, beautifully sung. Listen to a snippit from Sunday morning here.

The choir has been performing with different groups of children, all over the world, over a period of 40 years. Craigsbank was lucky enough to host a concert 20 years ago and we were delighted when they returned last weekend. The African Children’s choir, under its parent organisation Music for Life, has raised money to educate and support 59,000 children in this time – children from Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda and South Africa. The children are selected and educated from primary stages right through university – transforming their lives and through them, supporting communities for the future. The Ubuntu choir, made up of some of those children who have previously been in the children’s choir as youngsters, performs to raise awareness of this good work. To find out more, visit their website by clicking here.

Follow us on Facebook to watch a short video from the Craigsbank performance: https://www.facebook.com/CraigsbankChurch

And here are a few pics from the last time the choir visited as the African Children’s Choir, back in 2005!

Quest for Peace

An 8-week journey into the heart of God’s desire for peace.

In a world marked by division, anxiety, and restlessness, the ancient longing for peace still echoes deeply in our souls. But what kind of peace are we really seeking? And how might the wisdom of faith, Scripture, and Christian tradition guide us on that journey?

Join us for Quest for Peace – an 8-week post-Easter course that invites us to explore the rich vision of shalom, drawing inspiration from the insights of St. Augustine and our shared Christian story. Together, we’ll reflect on peace with God, within ourselves, with others, and in all creation.

Led by Rev. Shinji Kayama, each weekly session (90 minutes, in person) will blend conversation, reflection, learning, and some prayer. We’ll ask big questions, share deeply, and encourage one another as fellow pilgrims seeking the peace of the heavenly city – and learning to live it now.

Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed by the world or simply curious about how to live more deeply rooted in God’s peace, come along. Let’s embark on this quest together.

The course starts on Sunday evening, 4 May, at 5.30pm and runs for 8 consecutive weeks. You do not have to attend all the sessions, but obviously the more the better.

All are welcome, but spaces are limited so please register with Sarah at administrator@craigsbankchurch.org.uk. If you have any questions, please contact Shinji at skayama25@gmail.com

Our Easter Bulletin – an online preview

If you are on our mailing list, next week our Spring / Easter Bulletin will drop through your letter box. But if you can’t wait, you can read here or download at the link below. You will also find copies at Craigsbank Church and East Craigs Church Centre. Take one for a neighbour or a friend.

Want to join the mailing list? Speak to Sarah in the church office, email her here, or speak to Jan at the services.

Priscilla Queen of the Desert – A Triumph

Thank you to the Bohemians for their simply outstanding jukebox musical production of Priscilla Queen of the Desert, showing at the Festival Theatre in Edinburgh this weekend. What a joy. A riot of colour and dance and song and laughter and tears. Fear, acceptance, change – all played out with a lightness of touch and true professionalism on stage. One young man had a stand out performance today. Well done Finn.

And thank you too Bohemians, for bringing all of this and more to Craigsbank Church halls and sanctuary in recent weeks for rehearsals. You lit up our buildings and our community.

‘We belong, we belong together’

View the rehearsals on facebook