Join us at one of our services over the next few weeks. Our morning services always begin at 10.30am and all are welcome. Do join us when you can.

• 6 July, 10.30am, Craigsbank
• 13 July, 10.30am, East Craigs
• 20 July, 10.30am, Craigsbank
• 27 July, 10.30am, East Craigs

• Corstorphine Craigsbank Church – 19 Craigs Bank, Corstorphine, 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, Corstorphine, 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.

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

Click here to register.

As we head towards Union with Corstorphine Old Parish, we are looking at the structure of the teams of volunteers who make us who we are. Our Church only works if folk come forward to help. The best gift you can give is you.

Over the decades we have been incredibly fortunate with the time and skill-sharing that the people of Craigsbank and East Craigs have brought – from baking or gardening to building maintenance and communications. But now we are starting afresh and looking again to see who might be out there with just a little time to spare.

So… the teams we are currently building are listed below. Please don’t feel that you need to know what you are doing in all the areas mentioned. It may even be that you have no particular experience but feel that this is an area that you’ve always wanted to explore. What have you got to lose? Volunteer for an hour or so a week or more – you will be welcomed with open arms and (we hope!) enjoy what you do.

Some of the teams are now meeting – volunteers from Craigsbank and East Craigs. It is wonderful to see it all coming together.

Contact the church office for more information.

Keep Reading…

Continue reading “Join a Team – Share your enthusiasm and / or expertise and have some fun in the process”

At our Stated Annual Meeting on 17 April 2025 at East Craigs, our session clerk, Elaine Thompson, presented the following, very informative, update on the Union of Corstorphine Craigsbank and Corstorphine Old Parishes. click here for the transcript. Or read the expanded version below:

Where are we?

Since our last up-date on the Union between Craigsbank and Corstorphine Old Parish on this site, much has been going on behind the scenes. We are now able to give an update on progress, stumbling blocks, and moving forward together. You can still read our 2024 Vision Statement by clicking here. If you read both articles together, you will see just how much work is going into making this happen.

Over the last few months, there have been regular meetings with both church ministers, Alan and Moira, our session clerks and steering groups who are all working together on our behalf.Why are we merging?

You will remember the reasons behind the Church of Scotland’s decision to merge parishes and reduce the number of buildings it is responsible for – declining Church of Scotland membership, less people worshipping particularly on a Sunday morning, reduced offerings and not enough ministers to serve the current parishes. It is a long and difficult (and at times painful) process to get this right but at both churches, we are determined to work together to do just that.

We – Corstorphine Craigsbank (including East Craigs) – were guided by presbytery to work towards union with Corstorphine Old Parish. The united parish would retain two full time ministers – one to be the parish minister to the newly merged congregation and the other a pioneer minister to the ever-expanding new developments to the west of Maybury Road. Who is looking after our interests in the negotations?

In January 2024 the joint steering group of Craigsbank and the Old Parish was set up. We have strong representation. Craigsbank members are Alan Childs, Alan Kennedy, Mike Brough, John Baker, Susan Ross, Paul Spencer and Elaine Thompson. They have been meeting with representatives of the Old Parish every month to work out the best way of bringing our two churches together. 

BUT… Difficulties amongst our neighbours

Continue reading “Are we moving closer to a Union of Craigsbank and The Old Parish?”

‘Compassion and integrity are two leadership qualities the world is in dire need of right now. With Pope Francis today having left this life for the next, we have lost an inspirational leader who embodied both. May his legacy inspire us to follow in his footsteps as much as he followed in those of Jesus. Rest in peace having done well, good and faithful servant of our Lord.’

Rev Alan Childs, 21 April 2025

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