I’m New here – What should I expect?

What should I expect?

• Sunday services start at 10.30am whether at East Craigs or Craigsbank, or outside (see home page for details)
• After a friendly welcome, our worship lasts for about 1 hour (including a sermon – a talk linked to a theme from the Bible – beautiful music and joyful, enthusiastic singing). Everyone is included here, regardless of age. We take time to pray for each other, for the world we live in and for the work of the Church. And we sing!
• Our gathering normally finishes at 11.30am, and before we go on our way we enjoy tea, coffee and treats (and much laughter and happiness).
• We hope that everyone will leave with a spiritual fullness and a lightness of step.

Will I be welcome?

• All are welcome at Craigsbank and East Craigs – searchers and believers, locals and visitors, all backgrounds and nationalities, all ages and all from the LGBTQ+ community.

What should I wear?  

• We really don’t care what you wear. There is no dress code. Come as you are. 

Is there live music?

• We are fortunate to have a very good musician in the form of John Patterson who leads our musical praise every week. You might hear classical music, familiar tunes from stage shows, and join in spiritual singing of both new and traditional songs. John also runs a singers group once a week and a thriving young musicians’ group (the Junior Music Makers) – no experience required. Email John for more information.

Can I bring my children? YES you can.

• Young people of all ages are welcome. No-one should worry if a phone pings at a quiet moment. Or a toy drops to the floor. Parents, please don’t panic if a baby cries. Feel free to get up and move around.
• For structured Sunday Christian educational activities we partner with the Old Parish Church in Corstorphine.
• But for rolling up your sleeves and getting mucky, nothing beats our Messy Church during school holiday periods at either Craigsbank or East Craigs.
• Our Children’s ministry team is creative, imaginative and super fun and all involved hold safeguarding certificates.

Does Communion form a part of the service?

• Communion is shared six times in every year. All are welcome to participate, regardless of age.

Easter Communions:

• On the Thursday before Easter (also known as Maundy Thursday) which was the night of the Last Supper. And on Easter Sunday.

Christmas Communion:

• Communion is shared on Christmas Day.

And at three other points during the year:

• At Craigsbank this is usually the first Sunday in February, June and October;
• At East Craigs it is one week later.

The focus of these services is on the sharing of bread and wine in commemoration of the Last Supper, at which Christ shared bread and wine with his disciples the night before he was crucified. 

What time do you meet?

All our services start at 10.30am and an online reflection is available on Youtube and on this site every weekend.

Should I bring my car?

Walking, cycling, running, public transport… all are encouraged but there is parking on site too, at both centres.

Do I pay to attend?

There is no charge for the service, but we do encourage donation so that our work can continue both locally and abroad. But please don’t worry and never let this be a barrier – we won’t rattle a plate in front of you! Give as you can and if you can. No-one will judge.

You can simply:

• Walk in and out and never give it a thought;
• Pop cash in the open plate at the entrance to the church;
• Tap and go – yes we too can offer a card donation option;
• Make a regular donation through your bank;
• Make a one-off donation through your bank.

Can we talk Baptism and Weddings, ‘Having the Wain Done’ and Tying the Knot?

• Enquiries regarding baptisms and weddings are always welcome. The main Church sanctuaries are flexible for large and small services and the Church halls can be the perfect venues for small, informal receptions.  Drop us a line so that we can chat you through what is available.