We are excited to announce that over the summer weeks, we are offering a fun, in-person Alpha Course for those between the ages of 18 and 35 (or thereabouts) with a view to giving them space to meet each other and to explore areas of faith and living-life in today’s world. The group will meet at East Craigs on a Sunday Evening and will start the session sharing a light, informal meal.

It all kicks off at 6pm on Sunday 6 July.

Do mention this to anyone you know in the 18 – 35 years age bracket or come along yourself.

Contact administrator@craigsbankchurch.org.uk for more information.

Are you new to the growing West Craigs area on the very edge of Edinburgh? Why not come and join us on 9 July, 10-12 noon at Meadowfield Park (next to Maybury Primary). We have crafts, games and bubble making for the youngest members of the community. Adults – tea and coffee available along with a wee biscuit. (We’ll be here every Wednesday over the summer holidays!)

Come join the fun, meet neighbours and say hello.

I can’t Believe it’s Barbershop

Sandy Turnbull has reminded us all that it is the time of year when we should start booking up for our favourite event at Edinburgh Fringe Festival – the superb annual concert from the Rolling Hills Chorus.

A weary busker steps away from the street and into a church seeking peace and quiet, but finding so much more. Inside, he stumbles upon a vibrant group of singers who turn his world upside down. They delight, misbehave, connect, and inspire. With passion, harmony, and a dash of chaos, they refresh his spirit and change his direction in the most unexpected way.

A heart-warming story from a top Scottish barbershop chorus, of how a busker’s dream came true. Mind-blowing harmonies, unexpected twists, and a cappella like you’ve never heard before!

The Chorus was formed in Galashiels in 1992, its name deriving from the rolling hills seen around the Scottish Borders. In 1995 it moved to Edinburgh, where, thy then, most of its members lived. The chorus director is Rosaling Johnson, a rising star in the UK barbershop world. With over 40 members united by a love of singing a cappella (four-part harmony), its mission is to sing well, entertain and have fun. They chorus supports good causes and have an established charity partnership with Prostate Scotland.

The Chorus is a member of The British Association of Barbershop Singers (BABS) and competed at their National Convention in Harrogate in May last year becoming one of the top ten barbershop choruses in the UK.

Find out more at www.rollinghills.org.uk

Easter Blessings to all this Easter Morning.

Members and friends of Corstorphine churches walked from St Ninians to Craigsbank on Good Friday before a vibrant, thoughtful, all nations service in the sanctuary there. We left with a sense of peace.

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!

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

Welcoming back the alumni of the African Children’s Choir – this time as the Ubuntu Choir

12 April into your diary, 7.00pm, Craigsbank Church

The Internationally celebrated choir Ubuntu, alumni of the African Children’s Choir, are visiting us in April 2025 and will perform at Corstorphine Craigsbank Church. Thirteen bright young talented singers are performing in what will be a joyful and uplifting concert.

Tickets are by donation (suggested £10) with entrance for under 16s FREE.

Please note that we are hosting the concert, but we also need and want to host the 13 choir and five staff in our homes for one night on Saturday 12 April. The choir members will be aged 18 or older, so hosts won’t need to be PVG accredited. If you are able to host two or more members please contact Mike Brough.

Pop 12 April into your diary. 7.00pm, Craigsbank Church. This is an event not to be missed.

Read more about the Ubuntu Dream Tour on their website.

Tickets are by donation (suggested £10) with entrance for under 16s FREE.

Tickets available now from Sarah in the office or email administrator@craigsbankchurch.org.uk and at Sunday services.

Christmas Chaos and Carols – Turnhouse, Edinburgh

Sunday 8 December 4.00pm – 5.00pm, Turnhouse Golf Club

Come and join us for a FREE festive family hour of Christmas Chaos and Carols at Turnhouse Golf Club. This is a chance for those who have moved into West Craigs and the Western expansion (and those who have lived there for years) to say a relaxed hello to new neighbours – children meet children, adults meet adults – enjoy storytelling for kids, crafts, coffee and mince pies and lift your voice in Christmas Carols and songs (or just listen in!). Everyone is welcome – new friendships really can last a lifetime.

Don’t miss out on this fun event to get you in the mood for Christmas in your new home.

A warm welcome awaits from your local parish churches.

Click here to BOOK YOUR TICKET NOW ON EVENTBRITE. TICKETS ARE FREE TO ALL BUT LIMITED TO 100 in total.

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. 

Network have announced their winter syllabus with much to enjoy. The events are held on Monday evenings in the Craigsbank Chancel Hall from 7pm (probably ending no later than 9.30pm). Details below and for more information contact the Church office.

Network Syllabus 2024/2025

2024

7 October – Post War Cinemas in Edinburgh – Part 1 – Keith Walker

21 October – Sunflower Scotland – Oleg Dmitriev

4 November – Tunnels of Edinburgh – Maurice McIlwrick

18 November – Christmas Crafts – Cherry Gilmour

2 December – Teaching & Life in Zambia – Rev William Watt

16 December – Christmas Meal

2025

13 January – Post War Cinemas in Edinburgh – Part 2 – Keith Walker

27 January – Islands of the Atlantic – Craig Robertson

10 February – The Edinburgh of Burke & Hare – Eric Melvin

24 February – Restoration of the Corstorphine Astoria Cinema Organ – Ian Anderson

10 March – Issues & Incidents – did that actually happen? – Tom Gordon

24 March – Cheese & Wine and AGM

29 April – Meal out