Category: Event news

An event NOT TO BE MISSED. This hugely popular choir have been meeting and rehearsing in the church halls for many years now and we are delighted to welcome them in concert. Book your tickets early.

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.’

Hebrews 13:2

Our annual sell-out Burns Supper was a great success this year.

A four-course feast was prepared by the hospitality team and our sincere thanks go to them. The attention to detail on the tables was beautiful, the food prepared and served piping hot would have been applauded in any restaurant and the lightness of the meringues for pud was just perfect. And there was even home made tablet with the coffee – the perfect finish to an outstanding meal. All on the team were grateful that there was a new dishwasher but somehow Anna still found herself in the sink for some hours!

Before and after the meal, our Singers (led by John) entertained us with traditional songs and then the Highland Dancers from Manor School of Dance took to the stage to the delight of everyone present. They were a joy to watch and made good use of a stage that has been graced by generations past and present across the Church and community.

But you know, more than anything, it was the delight that we found in each others’ company on the evening that made it just so special. Friends old and new.

Once a month, on the cold, dark months of the year, we host an evening of music and quiet contemplation at Craigsbank. These cherished evenings offer warmth and friendship, and time to reflect in candlelight.

We are blessed with some very strong musicians at Craigsbank and this evening-hour, during winter, is a free event that uplifts all who attend for the days ahead.

Two more dates for the Winter Wednesdays remain:

• 24 January
• 21 February

Start time 7.30pm CRAIGSBANK SANCTUARY

Pop the dates in your diary now. These events are not to be missed.

Our bulb planters were out in force today at Fauldburn Park in wet weather gear – to provide a touch of Spring sunshine when the time comes. Anne reports that the team were happy to be planting despite the weather. And managed to plant over 1000 bulbs. We’re all looking forward to Springtime displays.

Where were we planting? See the maps below for the sites where the bulbs were planted.

Craigsbank was one of the buildings that flung its doors wide open on Doors Open Sunday this year. And the result was really very positive indeed. John Baker arranged the weekend’s activities and he was ably supported by a strong team of volunteers.

64 individuals visited the buildings over the weekend. Below are just a few of the comments received:

• Fantastic experience: wonderful building: everyone so friendly and helpful.
• Thanks for taking part in Doors Open Day – loved the building and music
• So impressed! This “hidden gem” is amazing. Intriguing architecture. Even more I admire the way you form and run your church community. Our visit has been well worthwhile.
• Beautiful     Magical     Spiritual   Many thanks 
• It was a thrill to find such a beautiful modernist building in a part of Edinburgh we did not know. The quality of light and the serenity of the building make it very special apart from it’s functional success.
• Amazing architecture Thank you so much for your time and knowledge. This is a hidden gem.
• Having been Christened here on 8 August 1943, I found my visit a quite moving and enjoyable event. (Also repeated his visit to deliver copies of the October 1943 and March 1959  Intimations and family contributions)
• Very beautiful building, inside and out.
• Great to visit again and enjoyed Tree’s piece! ( Composer) Compliments the perfectly-realised minimalism of the architecture perfectly !
• The nicest church I have visited in a long time. Architecturally stunning and a surprisingly warm and inviting space. A reflection of the congregation, no doubt.
• Beautiful architectural lines. A hidden gem thanks to “Doors Open Day”
• This church has the WOW! Factor from the moment you catch sight of it coming round the corner and on entering – so unexpected to see the configuration which is so dramatic and inspiring. A wonderful space for worship – what a lucky congregation you are to have this gem. So pleased to hear that it has been recognised as “A” listed. Thank you for opening up today.
• We enjoyed the very warm welcome and were inspired by the beautiful airy space. The architecture is truly magnificent and is in great condition.
• An amazing place- well hosted – such a great performance and what a hidden gem. Wonderful.
• A wonderful display for a magnificent building! I appreciated the exhibits showing the construction of the complex. Great to see a hidden modernist gem in the City.
• A truly striking building beautifully looked after. Marion and John were brilliantly knowledgeable.
• A beautiful piece of Architecture. Really enjoyed talking to the volunteers and getting to experience the space and its wonderful light. Thank you

Our popular Network group is starting up again for the winter on 2 October. The full programme of speakers and events for the year is below. Do come along. You will be made very welcome. For more information, contact Susan Ross.

Network Syllabus 2023/2024

2023

2 October – The role of a Kings Chaplain – Rev Moira McDonald

16 October – Tracing your Family History – Alex Wood

30 October – Travelling Scotland with one Yellow Wellie – Reta MacLennan

13 November – Thimble Collection – Anne McMillan

27 November – Christmas Crafts – Cherry Gilmour

11 December – Christmas Meal

2024

8 January – Corstorphine Transport Through the Ages – Ian Anderson

22 January – Scottish Music & Words – Robin & Mairi Leach (Fundraiser)

5 February – Life after Westminster – John Barrett

19 February – Ronald McDonald House – Julia Coley

4 March – TBC

18 March – Cheese & Wine and AGM

The ACORN is an inter church group which meets on the last Monday of every month from September to May for a morning of fun, chat, faith and fellowship, meeting up with friends from many of the Corstorphine churches for coffee and entertainment, sometimes with a speaker, or sometimes finding interesting stories from among our own members. To give you a little glimpse – for our last meeting, we had Margaret Grant, with a guest pianist and some of the Springwell Golden Voices choir, who joined us for a session of pure nostalgia, singing hymns and choruses remembered from days gone by, some as far back as childhood. A great time was had by all!   

Why not brighten your Monday morning once a month? We’d love to see you.

The first meeting of the new season will be on 25th September, at 10.30am in the Belgrave Room in St Anne’s Church, Kaimes Road , Corstorphine.

Bring someone to visit Craigsbank on Doors Open Weekend in September

We are delighted to report that Craigsbank will once again be open to the public as part of Doors Open Weekend in September – 23 and 24 September. It would be really wonderful if we could all bring one person (or more!) along who doesn’t know the building.

The entire building will be open – sanctuary and halls – so that visitors can see how the site responded to the demands for more space.

Between 11.00 am and 2.00pm on Saturday 23rd September cellist Joanna Stark will give performances of a composition by Tree Burton, for Craigsbank Church. The piece, ‘Floating Sanctuary’ is informed by the architecture and design of the church and was first presented at Doors Open Day 2017.

Open-times:

10.00am – 3.00pm Saturday 23 September

1.00pm – 3.00pm Sunday 24 September

Read more about Doors Open Day and our involvement here.

Craigsbank is much in demand from visitors with an interest in architecture.

The 20th Century Society visited Craigsbank Church on 4th June 23 as part of their Edinburgh ‘Sold Out’ Weekend. The Society has a passion for 20th Century Architecture, iconic buildings and design and arranges a range of visits, campaigns and seminars.

The visit to Craigsbank Church by 35 visitors as part of their Tour of Edinburgh’s 20th Century Architectural Highlights was really enjoyed and everyone appreciated experiencing the Sanctuary. During the visit comments were made about the quality of the Sanctuary space design and especially the daylighting, also admiring the building’s condition and potential for a range of activities.

One visitor, who had lived locally in his youth, clearly remembered being impressed and ‘spellbound’ by the changing daylighting patterns on the walls and thoroughly enjoyed returning to experience the space again.

Interested to know what the early Christian church really believed and how they lay the foundation for what became the largest, most influential religion in history?

No previous experience or knowledge needed. All are welcome. If you want more information or want to note your interest, send an email to administrator@craigsbankchurch.org.uk.

Dates planned for the 8 sessions, each taking place in the Iona Room at Craigsbank:

• 13/9 Session 1
• 20/9 Session 2
• 27/9 Session 3
• 4/10 no Bible study
• 11/10 Session 4
• 18/10 no Bible study
• 25/10 Session 5
• 1/11  no Bible study
• 8/11 Session 6
• 15/11 Session 7
• 22/11 Session 8