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.
Every year, Cutting Edge Theatre put on an Easter Play in Princes Street Gardens in Edinburgh, just below New College. it is passionate, moving and each year sees a slightly different take. It is free to watch and all should be encouraged to see it. Below are some photographs from last year.
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.
At a time when the world is increasingly faced with conflict and false truth, fear, cruelty and destruction, the readings from our service are both apt and thought provoking. Listen to the service on YouTube now.
Zechariah 8:14-17 (Good News Translation)
14 The Lord Almighty says, “When your ancestors made me angry, I planned disaster for them and did not change my mind but carried out my plans.
15 But now I am planning to bless the people of Jerusalem and Judah. So don’t be afraid.
16 These are the things you should do: Speak the truth to one another. In the courts give real justice—the kind that brings peace.
17 Do not plan ways of harming one another. Do not give false testimony under oath. I hate lying, injustice, and violence.”
4 In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and because he is coming to rule as King, I solemnly urge you 2 to preach the message, to insist upon proclaiming it (whether the time is right or not), to convince, reproach, and encourage, as you teach with all patience.
3 The time will come when people will not listen to sound doctrine but will follow their own desires and will collect for themselves more and more teachers who will tell them what they are itching to hear.
4 They will turn away from listening to the truth and give their attention to legends.
Do you have young children or know of someone who does? The Manor School of Ballet has started beginners classes for age 3+, at East Craigs Church Centre.
Edinburgh’s oldest independent dance school offers you the highest possible standards of training in Ballet, Jazz & Tap, Highland, Acro and Musical Theatre. With more than 100 classes every week, we have something for everyone.
New classes have started on Saturday mornings at East Craig Centre.
For more information or bookings call 0131 347 2570.
Every year we encourage you to donate to Christian Aid during the designated Christian Aid week. This year (2024) that week falls on 12-18 May. To make life a little easier, we now have a secure online portal for donations. Click here for a new and easier way to donate to Christian Aid
Dear Lord, Forgive us for contaminating this world. Help us to find our way forward to respect, protect and live together as one on this planet. This image is from our own home city. We are shamed.
This Earth Day find your way to protect and renew our environment and global health. Consider signing the Global Plastics Treaty now. This link will take you there.
Working together, the world can:
Support a highly ambitious Global Plastic Treaty that binds all to the same standards;
Achieve 60% of reduction of all fossil fuel-based plastic production by 2040;
Require producers and retailers of plastics to be liable for the cost of any environmental or health-related damages in accordance with the “producer pays” principle;
Encourage public and private sector investments in innovation to replace all fossil fuel-based plastics;
Ban all plastic-related tobacco products including, but not limited to tobacco filters and e-cigarettes;
Ban the export of plastic waste;
End the incineration of plastic waste;
Support innovative solutions and alternatives to plastic in all sectors;
Fully-financed education and public awareness campaigns to inform the public about reasons and strategies for ending plastic pollution.
Her Audio Bible UK is a project that brings together women from a diversity of backgrounds to read from a place of personal faith and share the word of God
Over the past year, female readers from across the UK, have helped to create ‘Her Audio Bible’.
By International Woman’s Day 2024, nine books from the bible have been recorded and are available free of charge online (although donation is encouraged) The readings offer a variety of accents and voices from women right across the UK. You can read more about the project here.
The first readings are available now with more to follow in the coming months. Follow the links below for an uplifting listening experience.
Our next Café Church takes place on Sunday 30 July at 10.30am, Craigsbank Halls. This is an informal service with live, uplifting music, good coffee/tea, croissants and more. All who have attended so far have greatly enjoyed it. Give it a go… we’d love to see you!
