If you prefer to read it online you can find it here: https://mailchi.mp/cb94ab5ad389/craigsbank-church-westoverland-17599856
Or read below:
Harvesting a Crop of Care
Harvest time invites us to be grateful to the Giver of all good gifts as we reap the many types of harvests life offers us. Throughout Scripture, fruitfulness is deeply connected to what the prophets called a harvest of justice and righteousness. I was reminded recently by one of the matriarchs in our congregation of the time when Jesus of Nazareth looked at the fig tree (Matthew 21:12-25) expecting to find real, tangible fruit and not just leaves. His shocking disappointment reminds us that God’s people (represented by the fig tree) are called to bear practical fruit that blesses the community around them.
Look around our local neighbourhoods this October, and you will see concrete ways our church family is trying to bear that kind of fruit. Recently, we celebrated the blessing of the new community benches near Fauldburn Park and Craigievar Park – simple spaces carved out for rest and human connection that provide tangible places of welcome. Meanwhile, our Eco Group has been actively tending to the local apple trees, signs of God’s blessing of the life-affirming partnership between humans and nature.
This active care extends naturally to the next generation and our wider city because harvest time isn’t just about what grows in the earth, but also about the rich, relational crop we cultivate together as a church family. Across our local area this October, we see a wonderful harvest of community building through simple acts of presence and hospitality.
Look at the breadth of life happening in and through our congregation’s ministries across the parish: from the warm welcome of the Tuesday Club and the Wednesday reflection services, to the chatter at the Tuesday Men’s Breakfast, the Tuesday Ladies Group, the Lunch Club, Fellowship Group and Laura Ferguson Court coffee mornings. We see care in action as generations intersect, whether through the laughter at Toddle Tots, the Mother and Baby group, the primary schools Bookbugs, the connection of Toastie Thursdays for Craigmount High pupils or our young adults gathering for Bible study.
Even as our schedules fill up with music performances, uniform groups, fellowship circles, and choir gatherings, these spaces offer a vital antidote to isolation, providing a place to belong, to share burdens, and to celebrate life together. As Jesus challenged us to bear fruit that matters, building an inclusive and welcoming community where everyone is known and valued is one of the truest harvests we can offer to Corstorphine and west Edinburgh.
In these practical, relational ways of blessing one another, friends and strangers alike, we are living out a practical, earthbound Gospel. As the autumn leaves fall, may we continue to reap a harvest of care, justice and love as we do not get tired of doing good (Galatians 6:9).
With love and blessings to all
Alan
Upcoming services
Find a warm welcome at any of our services.
Late September / October services
- Sunday 27 September –
- 10.30am Informal service at East Craigs (HARVEST SERVICE), led by Elaine Wood
- 10.30am Traditional service at the Old Parish, led by Moira McDonald
- Sunday 4 October –
- 10.30am Traditional Communion at Craigsbank, led by Alan Childs
- 10.30am Informal service at old Parish, led by Moira McDonald
- 3.00pm Forest Church at Cammo Estate, led by Alan Childs
- 3.00pm Harvest Messy Church at East Craigs
- Wednesday 7 October
- 1.30pm Communion at Old Parish
- Sunday 11 October –
- 10.30am Informal Communion at East Craigs, led by Alan Childs
- 10.30am Traditional Communion at Old Parish, led by Moira McDonald
- Sunday 18 October –
- 10.30am Traditional service at Craigsbank, led by Elaine Wood
- 10.30am Informal service at Old Parish, led by Andrew Carter
- 3.00pm Messy Church at Maybury Primary School
- Sunday 25 October –
- 10.30am Informal service at East Craigs, led by Moira McDonald
- 10.30am Traditional service at the Old Parish, led by Andrew Carter
- 6.00pm High-School-aged Youth Service at East Craigs, led by Alan Childs
Wednesday Service
Corstorphine Old Parish Church is open to visitors on Wednesdays from 10.30am to 12 noon, followed by a short service of reflection at noon. All are welcome.
Cammo Forest Church
This takes place on the first Sunday of every month, at the old Cammo ruins, from 3.00pm – 4.00pm. The next gathering will be on Sunday 4 October. Join us to appreciate nature, share thoughts, prayers and sing acoustic songs. Refreshments after the service. Meet at the ruins of the Manor House.
DON’T PANIC! Printed ‘timetables’ will be available at all the churches for you to take away and pin up next to your household information. We hope we can mix and mingle, live and learn, share and grow together.
Catch up online
There is a weekly reflection on the church websites, YouTube and Facebook page. We have a new, YouTube channel up and running – www.youtube.com/@CorstorphineOldandNew
If you do watch and appreciate the content, consider giving the video a like or sharing it with friends, as it helps to increase the reach of the videos to more potential viewers. And as have started a new account for the union, please subscribe and help us build our following once again.
And in person
Corstorphine Old and New Church (a Church of Scotland congregation) has THREE places of worship. The addresses are below:
Corstorphine Old Parish Church – 15 Kirk Loan, EH12 7HD
Corstorphine Craigsbank Church – 19 Craigs Bank, Edinburgh EH12 8HD
East Craigs Church Centre – 8 Bughtlin Market, East Craigs, Edinburgh EH12 8XP
In addition, we have a Pioneering team working as West Church in the new West Craigs and Maybury community.And we hold Forest Church on the first Sunday of every month at Cammo Estate.
If transport is an issue and you are not able to easily make your way to the service locations, then please do inform your district visitor, an elder or a minister, and we will endeavour to make it possible for you to attend the service in person, should you wish.
CONNECT
A new edition of our ‘Connect’ magazine is now available. If you would like to be added to the mailing list please ask Sarah in the office. Or pick up a copy at any of our centres.
Note from the Communications Team:
This newsletter is called Corstorphine Old and New Bulletin and – as someone involved in the church – it should arrive in your inbox once a month (with the occasional ‘extra’). You may want to copy the email address into the address book on your computer to avoid the newsletter landing in the dreaded spam folder. If it does, simply drag it into your inbox and it shouldn’t happen again.
If you hear of anyone who has not received this newsletter, (but would like to) please let us know and we will make sure that they are added to the mailing list.
IMPORTANT NEWS: Please note that in addition to the newYouTube account, we also have a new presence for the united congregation onFacebook andInstagram. Do check in regularly and follow / share posts if you would like to.
Should you decide that now is the time to opt out of receiving newsletters from your church that is absolutely fine. Simply click the unsubscribe button at the foot of this newsletter, or email the church office – administrator@craigsbankchurch.org.uk – and we will remove you from the list. (But we do hope you will give us time to grow and meet your expectations.) The newsletter may be a little long until we have a new website in place to host longer articles. But we are now moving forward with this.
Dates for Your Diary
Doors Open Weekend
Edinburgh’s annual Doors Open weekend will be held this weekend, 26 and 27 September. This year, both Corstorphine Old and Craigsbank Church buildings will be open to the public. The Old Parish will be open 10.00am – 4.00pm on Saturday and 1.00pm – 4.00pm on Sunday. Craigsbank will be open 10.00am – 3.00pm on Saturday and 12noon – 3.00pm on Sunday.
Please come along and find out a bit more about the wonderful buildings. Extra information and children’s activities are also planned.
Bristo Concert Band
Following on from our busy August, Bristo Concert Band will be playing at Blackhall St Columba’s Church on Saturday 3 October at 7.00pm. We’ll whisk you from the Highlands to Hollywood with music from Braveheart, Bond, Danny Boy, and a few band favourites we couldn’t resist.
We’re delighted to be part of Music@St Columba’s, a welcoming series of free Saturday concerts featuring musicians of all styles. Refreshments are served, donations are appreciated, and everyone is invited. For more information see Bristo Concert Band or Blackhall St Columba’s Church websites.
The next Messy Church will be held on Sunday 4 October 3.00pm – 5.00pm at East Craigs Church Centre. And then we are back at Maybury Primary School on Sunday 18 October from 3.00pm – 5.00pm.
Come along and join with children and families from our local community.
High School Youth Service
Youth Services for High-School-aged young folk will start up on Sunday 25 October at East Craigs at 6.00pm. The next service after that will be 22 November.
Please help to spread the word and invite any teenagers in your family / network of acquaintances / friends and neighbours and pray for this exciting ministry to develop.
Women and the Word – an Advent Group
A Christmas Tree Festival!
Regular Activities
Friendship Groups
- The Young Adult Bible Study Group (aged 18-35): meet on a Sunday evening at 6.00pm in the Iona Room at Craigsbank. If you would like to join please contact Kyle or Dani
- Network: held fortnightly on a Monday, in Craigsbank Chancel Hall. Meetings start at 7.30pm and all are welcome. The next meeting is on 5 October, Elaine Wood: Teacher to Deacon. And then on 19 October, The Shetland Bus with Kath Hay.
- Tuesday Men’s Breakfast: from 10.00am to 12 noon on the first Tuesday of every month at the White Lady. Company, chat and unlimited coffee! The next breakfast is on Tuesday 6 October.
- Tuesday Club: on the first Tuesday of the month at 2.00pm in the Old Parish Church High Street Hall, a programme of visiting speakers and a most welcome cuppa. The next meeting is on 6 October.
- Laura Ferguson Court coffee morning: on the first Wednesday of every month at 10.15am. The next coffee morning will be Wednesday 7 October and is open to all who wish to join in. Please contact Anne Currie for more details.
- Toddle Tots: for parents, grandparents and carers with their toddlers and babies – Wednesdays at 10.30am until noon in the Craigsbank hall during school term time. There will be no Toddle Tots on Wed 14 October.
- New Mums and Babies: Wednesdays at 10.30am, Turnhouse Golf Club.
- Lunch Club: Wednesdays at 12.30pm in Craigsbank Chancel Hall, fortnightly. New members are welcome, £5 per person. Please contact Sarah at the church office with your intention to join us (to assist with catering). Note, there will be no lunch club on 14 October. Next lunch club will be held on 28 October.
- Toastie Thursdays: Thursday lunchtimes. A welcoming lunch gathering for the Craigmount High pupils in Craigsbank hall. Extra volunteers would be much appreciated. Please contact Alan Childs if you can help even once a month (11.30am to 2.00pm). There will be no Toastie Thursday on 15 October.
- East Craigs Fellowship: held at East Craigs Church Centre, Thursdays 2.30pm (fortnightly). The next meeting is on Thursday 8 October with tea/coffee, blethers and some games.
- The Craigsbank Singers meet up on Thursday evenings in the Iona Room, at 6.30pm.
- Old Parish Youth Group: A group for young people S1 and above takes place on the first Sunday of the month from 6.30pm (with pizza!).
- Uniformed organisations including Rainbows, Brownies, Guides, Cubs and Scouts all meet regularly in the church halls. Contact the Church Offices for more details. There will be no Cubs w/c 12 October.
Community Groups
Please check with individual groups for dates of holiday breaks:
- Moving forward: a support group for widowed men: Wednesdays at 10.30am, Corstorphine Community Centre.
- Corstorphine Dementia Groups: The Jubilee Club meet daily (Mon – Fri) in the Hall behind Carricknowe Church and the ‘Teatime Club’ meets on the first and third Tuesday of each month in St Thomas’s Hall. This Club is for members and their carers.
News
A Mysterious Music Book – Secrets Uncovered
On 3 September, the incredible singers from Mater Matris sang music from the ‘Dunkeld Music Book’, a collection of 16th century music held by Edinburgh University, sung for the first time since the 1550’s.
Dr Paul Newton -Jackson revealed that one of the major contributors to the collection was the Provost in Corstorphine just prior to the reformation. The Collegiate Church of Corstorphine would have heard these Latin masses and motets resounding within the ancient space at this time. The effect of the 8-part vocal harmonies was nerve tingling, as the singers experimented with various locations around the building.
The next day, the building was transformed into a recording studio, as they recorded the works.
Dr Newton-Jackson looks forward to returning to Corstorphine to help us celebrate the 600th anniversary of the building in 2029.
Thank you all for your generous donations of children’s school clothes. The school now have enough clothes and toiletries to meet present needs. At this stage the biggest need is for non-perishable food items. Donations can be handed into any of our worship services or our church offices.
Stamp Appeal
Although the Church of Scotland has ceased to accept used stamps, we have decided to continue collecting them, in the first instance for RNIB. Please continue to leave them in boxes provided at all centres. Remember to leave an edging of envelope round the stamps when you cut them out.
ECO Group
Blessing of the Benches – The new bench near Fauldburn Park which has recently been installed by the Council and paid for with a donation from The Airport, was blessed in September by Andrew Carter, Probation Minister.
The walkers are a group from COAN ECO Group and the inter churches ACORN Group. There is also a second seat beside Craigievar Park that visitors can enjoy.
The ECO have also been attending recently to the apple trees – heavy with fruit.
Old Parish Tuesday Club – Keith’s Quiz
A welcome return for the Tuesday Club at the Old Parish hall. All who attended enjoyed Keith’s Quiz!
Manor School of Ballet
Corstorphine Dementia Project – Volunteers wanted
Would you like to start volunteering for the Corstorphine Dementia Project? If you would like to help please contact Karen – on tel: 0131 478 7784.
Congregation News
Happy 100th Birthday celebration!
We wish Helen Miller God’s many blessings as she recently celebrated her 100th birthday. Whilst Alan was visiting her and her family, the postman delivered her special birthday card from His Majesty King Charles III. Aileen Kells made a beautiful flower arrangement for the birthday girl.
In our prayers
We are greatly saddened to report the deaths of the following members and friends of the congregation over the past few weeks:
Pat Hardie and Jean McLeod
Our thoughts and our prayers are with both families and loved ones at this difficult time.
Remember too in your prayers, those who have moved into Nursing Homes:
- Alistair McKay has moved to Strachan House
- Betty Black has moved to Manor Grange Nursing Home
- Nan and Ian Stirling have moved to Murrayside Nursing Home
Flowers in the Church
Flowers arranged in the worship centres are often given in memory of a loved one. They brighten the church services and are then gifted to someone in need of our love and prayers. If you know of anyone who would gratefully receive the flowers, please get in touch at the church office, administrator@craigsbankchurch.org.uk
Find your role
The new rotas for our various teams are now available You can link to them here (a holding page before our new site goes live). Please check back regularly for the latest updates.
Meeting Dates
- Kirk Session, Wednesday 7 October, 7.00pm at Craigsbank
- Pioneering meeting, Monday 26 October, 7.00pm at Craigsbank
- Presbytery Meeting, Tuesday 3 November, 7.00pm at Palmerston Place.
- Church office – Get in Touch
- Church Office – The Craigsbank and East Craigs office will be closed from 2 October while Sarah is on leave. Sarah will return on Tuesday 20 October. If you have any queries in her absence, please email Ian at corold@aol.com (mail: corold@aol.com).
We are in the process of joining the administrative engine-houses of our newly united churches together. In the meantime, please contact us using the emails below for further information.- Similarly, should you or someone you know be in need of a visit from the minister, an elder or a district visitor, please do inform the church office on the same emails.
And, if you have moved house or changed email address or phone number, please do let us know. - If you are out for a walk in the new-build area to the west of Maybury Road please do say hello to any of our new neighbours that you see.
Email contacts: - Old and New church office: administrator@craigsbankchurch.org.uk
- You can reach our ministry team on the following emails:
Alan Childs: AChilds@churchofscotland.org.uk - Moira McDonald: MMcDonald@churchofscotland.org.uk
- Elaine Wood: EWood@churchofscotland.org.uk
