Our Annual Gift Services

Every year, the people of Craigsbank and East Craigs open their hearts to the children of those in prison within Edinburgh. In doing so, we make sure that all children have something to open on Christmas morning.

This year, we will hold our Gift Services on 1 December in Craigsbank and 8 December in East Craigs. All attending are encouraged to bring a gift if they are able. (No need to wrap, we will provide wrapping so that the prison service can ensure they go to the right age of child).

Earlier this year, Prison Officer Colin O’Flaherty who co-ordinates this initiative sent a letter of thanks to those organisations who contribute, from which we quote below:

‘Last year three hundred and twenty-eight children from one hundred and twenty-six families had a Christmas presents to open on Christmas morning due to your kindness and generosity. Every child where possible received a toy, an activity gift and book, and of course something nice. More than a thousand gifts were given out. It is impossible to measure the difference that your kindness and generosity made to these children.’

This will be the thirty-ninth Gift Collection organised by the team within the prison service. Please continue to give generously.

Christmas DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

As we move towards Christmas, we have some dates for your diaries.

Please do come back to this post as the weeks go in – so that you don’t miss anything and we can update you on any changes.

30 November, Craigsbank Halls, a Christmas Ceilidh – put on your dancing shoes!

1 December, Craigsbank, our first service in Advent – a gift service where those attending are encouraged to bring gifts for the children of those in prison in the wider community. A second Gift service to be held at East Craigs on 8 December.

1 December, East Craigs, 3.00pm, a service for those who have lost a loved one in this year (or beyond)

8 December, Turnhouse Golf Club, Western Expansion, family carols and fun – Time tbc

12 December, Craigsbank, Crimboh! A Christmas concert with the Bohemians

15 December, Craigsbank Halls, our Christian Aid Hunger Lunch

18 December, Craigsbank, Advent Winter Wednesday – music by candlelight – Time tbc

24 December, Craigsbank, Christmas Eve service – Time tbc

25 December, East Craigs, Christmas Day Service – 10.30am

29 December, Craigsbank Halls, an ALMOST Hogmanay Cafe Church – 10.30am

AND A…

Messy Nativity Church for children (date and place tbc)

Join us for services in November

Join us at our services in November. Our morning services always begin at 10.30am and all are welcome.

November

  • 3 November 10.30am Craigsbank
  • 10 November 10.30am East Craigs – Service of Remembrance
  • 17 November 10.30am Craigsbank – Communion Service
  • 24 November 10.30am East Craigs – Communion Service
  • Craigsbank Church – 19 Craigs Bank, Edinburgh EH12 8HD, 10.30am, on the first and third Sunday of the month. Directions
  • East Craigs Church Centre – 8 Bughtlin Market, East Craigs, Edinburgh EH12 8XP, 10.30am, on the second and fourth Sunday of the month. Directions
  • Cafe Church – 19 Craigs Bank, Edinburgh EH12 8HD, 10.30am, on a fifth Sunday of any month. Directions
  • You can also watch a shortened version of our service online every Sunday on YouTube.

Unification process

Please note that the previously suggested congregational meeting of 20 or 27 October for voting on our Basis of Union with Corstorphine Old Parish Church has been postponed until further notice. The main reasons being delays in Presbytery and uncertainty about the implications of the possible dissolution of St Andrew’s Clermiston on our own unification process with the Old Parish. More information to follow soon.

Apple Saturday! Get ready for some fun

Join us on Saturday 26th October from 2.00pm – 4.30pm, starting and finishing at East Craigs Church Centre.

We are off for a community, family walk from the Church Centre round to Craigievar Park and back (weather permitting of course and failing that the event will be held within the Church Centre grounds) and will rediscover our community apple trees in both areas.

All families are invited to come along to this event and should meet at the Church Centre behind the Dental Surgery at Bughtlin at 2.00pm to register and then start the fun for the afternoon. If the weather is fair, a Treasure Hunt will see us started and will lead round to Craigievar Park where games will be organised for young and old after which we will proceed back to the Church Centre to share in refreshments with other activities. 

Christian Aid Hunger Lunch – 15 December 2024

This much cherished date for our diaries is rushing towards us. Make sure it is in your diary.

Sunday 15 December in the hall after the service at Craigsbank (roughly 12 noon). A simple lunch of soup, bread and cheese is offered in exchange for a donation (no matter how big or small) to Christian Aid.

All are welcome and you are encouraged to bring a friend along.

Look out your Dancing Shoes

Put the date in your diary – more details will be coming soon.

Join us on Saturday 30 November 2024 for a Charity Ceilidh at Craigsbank

Music and dancing are promised, along with finger food at the interval (while you catch your breath!) Light refreshments. BYOB.

Tickets are £10 and will be available from the hospitality team shortly.  WATCH THIS SPACE.

A successful Doors Open Weekend

Craigsbank threw open the doors to the church and halls over the weekend, 28 and 29 September 2024 as part of the annual Edinburgh Doors Open Festival.

67 people came through our doors during the day on the Saturday and the afternoon of the Sunday. Here’s a taste of what they thought:

‘My wife had visited a few years back and thought I would like it – she was right!’ (A well known Edinburgh writer)

‘I never realised this was here. It is absolutely lovely, serene and peaceful. My top place of Doors Open Days 2024. Thank you.’

‘Very impressive. One of the best modern churches I have visited. And very welcoming.      (Glasgow)’

‘What a fascinating find – I had no idea this church was here. I love the concept of the Covenanters’ gatherings in the hollows of the Pentlands reflected here.   Thank you’

‘Very impressive! Thanks for letting us see it.’

‘Thanks!  A very interesting and inspirational building! Super space with such a lot of thought put into the planning. Thank you for showing me around and sharing the knowledge and history of the building.’

‘A wonderful space! Thanks for the kindness of everyone.’

‘I’ve always wanted to visit Le Corbusier’s Church in France – it will probably never happen so it’s a delight to visit Craigsbank – A stunning design inside and out – Also a welcoming space which inspires a quiet awe…’

‘I’m so happy to have seen the interior of this remarkable building. Thank you for your warm welcome and information. I particularly liked the design on the chairs and altar (square shapes drawing included)’ 

‘Thank you for showing us around, we live nearby and it’s been interesting to learn more about the history and activity of the church’

‘I liked the bell and the doors…’ ( age 3 )

‘A beautiful space with beautiful people –thank you for opening up your church for us.’

‘Thanks for the hospitality! Very calm and peaceful spaces – we’re big fans of Modernist design and the use of natural / artificial light, natural wood and moss green is perfect.  Delighted your refurb has solved the water leak issues so you can continue to enjoy your space.’

‘Thoroughly enjoyed our visit today. Wonderful peaceful time viewing all the various spaces belonging to the church. We were made so welcome by everyone. Enjoyed reading about the history. Thank you (from Glasgow)’

‘Kudos to Architect for such a brave initiative in 1966. It brings so much peace just sitting in.  The only window on the façade is the mistake but it brought different character to the building.’

‘I really enjoyed the structure of the church! And the way the architect styled and designed the church. Thank you for the tour.’ ( age 11 )

‘Stunning !  Amazing design. The natural light flooding in is absolutely phenomenal. Very peaceful and inspiring experience. Thank you’

‘A wonderful space full of life and light!’

‘Fabulous church ! What an impressive and tranquil design. Many thanks.’

‘Been living in this street since 2013, yet I didn’t get to come in once! Such a fascinating building and history. Thanks’

‘Beautiful Building. Very friendly and informative people showing us round. Thank you so much.’

‘A great architectural building …nice rooms…cool shape…family friendly…clubs 😊…very nice people…’ (age 11)

‘A hidden gem of Architecture in Edinburgh. So happy to have seen it. Thank you’

‘A truly beautiful space and a very warm welcome. Thank you so much for a lovely Sunday afternoon.’

‘An amazing relaxing and inviting space. Gorgeous…’

‘Thank you  😊’

With grateful thanks to John and Els Baker and all who volunteered over the weekend

Taking the success of a ‘humble cheese toastie’ project to parliament

Our ‘Toastie Thursdays’ project, jointly delivered by Craigsbank and the Old Parish, has made the headlines and now the success of the project has been introduced to MSPs in the debating hall of the Scottish Parliament.

On 25 September, the Rev Moira McDonald, told MSPs from all parties of the success of the initiative which has seen more than 16,000 toasties served to local secondary school pupils over the last two years. The community has pulled together to offer around 300 pupils the regular chance to attend Toastie Thursday at Craigsbank Parish Church.

Moira said that Toastie Thursday is the highlight of the week for many people:

“For the pupils who enjoy the food, the fresh air and the break from school,” she added.

“For the staff at Craigmount who feel the busyness of the school easing a little as pupils disappear to the church hall.

“For the parents who normally provide packed lunches but find they don’t need to on Thursdays, although they do have to find £2 from the back of the sofa.

“For the toastie makers and servers, volunteers who have bonded over the challenges of serving 300 teenagers and discovered friendships and possibilities in the process.

“Friendships and possibilities that are reflected in the relationships formed between the pupils and the volunteers, in the relationship between the churches and the school, and with our local shops and supermarkets where we buy the supplies.”

You can read the full address on the Church of Scotland website.