NEWS

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

If you are on our mailing list, next week our Spring / Easter Bulletin will drop through your letter box. But if you can’t wait, you can read here or download at the link below. You will also find copies at Craigsbank Church and East Craigs Church Centre. Take one for a neighbour or a friend.

Want to join the mailing list? Speak to Sarah in the church office, email her here, or speak to Jan at the services.

If you are new to the area you might find some local information useful. The PDF below contains details of local transport, schools, medical centres and of course your friendly local churches!

Read or Download here.

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.

‘We belong, we belong together’

View the rehearsals on facebook

‘Its concave bell tower [is] like a sail on the community’s sea of 1920s bungalows’

The Pocket Guide to Edinburgh’s Best Buildings by Robin ward is now published and available in bookshops and online. And you’ll find Craigsbank sitting proudly on page 179!

Read more bout it in The Scotsman – click here and here.

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.