Yes! We are working our way through the Union process with our Neighbours, The Old Parish.
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.
Saturday 10 May, 10:30-12 noon, Craigsbank Halls – MAKE A NOTE
Join us for a coffee morning in aid of Christian Aid. Tickets are available from the Church office or after Sunday Services, or on the door. A voluntary donation of £5 is suggested.
Our coffee mornings are always popular – with the very tastiest home baking! PLUS, there will be a book sale and tombola to enjoy too.
Pop the date in your diary now and we’ll get busy in the kitchen…
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.
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.
‘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.
The Corstorphine Dementia Cafe will now take place on the first Monday of every month, 11.00am – 1.00pm, at Corstorphine Craigsbank Church halls. The aim is to provide companionship, activities and support to anyone affected by dementia.
This is a relaxed, safe and warm space for people with memory difficulties and their carers,
Tea, coffee & cake provided.
Parking available.
If you would like further information, contact Jennifer on 07792143787
The Internationally celebrated choir Ubuntu, alumni of the African Children’s Choir, are visiting us on 12 April 2025 as part of their Dream Tour and will perform at Corstorphine Craigsbank Church. Thirteen bright young talented singers will perform in what will be a joyful and uplifting concert.
Book your tickets now. We anticipate high demand. Tickets are by donation (suggested £10) with under 16s free of charge.
Tickets from administrator@craigsbankchurch.org.uk or after Sunday services. Or simply arrive and pay on the night.
We are delighted that the Bristo Community Concert Band is considering relocating their weekly practice venue to the Craigsbank Hall. Anyone interested in meeting the band is invited to come along this Monday evening, 3 March, at 7.30pm.
‘We are a non-auditioning Edinburgh concert band who enjoy playing and performing a wide range of music together. We are open to over 16s of all abilities, however, we strongly recommend that interested players are at least grade 5 standard.’
Our ‘Toastie Thursdays’ project, jointly delivered by Craigsbank and the Old Parish, has made the headlines and now the success of the project has been introduced to MSPs in the debating hall of the Scottish Parliament.
On 25 September, the Rev Moira McDonald, told MSPs from all parties of the success of the initiative which has seen more than 16,000 toasties served to local secondary school pupils over the last two years. The community has pulled together to offer around 300 pupils the regular chance to attend Toastie Thursday at Craigsbank Parish Church.
Moira said that Toastie Thursday is the highlight of the week for many people:
“For the pupils who enjoy the food, the fresh air and the break from school,” she added.
“For the staff at Craigmount who feel the busyness of the school easing a little as pupils disappear to the church hall.
“For the parents who normally provide packed lunches but find they don’t need to on Thursdays, although they do have to find £2 from the back of the sofa.
“For the toastie makers and servers, volunteers who have bonded over the challenges of serving 300 teenagers and discovered friendships and possibilities in the process.
“Friendships and possibilities that are reflected in the relationships formed between the pupils and the volunteers, in the relationship between the churches and the school, and with our local shops and supermarkets where we buy the supplies.”
Network have announced their winter syllabus with much to enjoy. The events are held on Monday evenings in the Craigsbank Chancel Hall from 7pm (probably ending no later than 9.30pm). Details below and for more information contact the Church office.
Network Syllabus 2024/2025
2024
7 October – Post War Cinemas in Edinburgh – Part 1 – Keith Walker
21 October – Sunflower Scotland – Oleg Dmitriev
4 November – Tunnels of Edinburgh – Maurice McIlwrick
18 November – Christmas Crafts – Cherry Gilmour
2 December – Teaching & Life in Zambia – Rev William Watt
16 December – Christmas Meal
2025
13 January – Post War Cinemas in Edinburgh – Part 2 – Keith Walker
27 January – Islands of the Atlantic – Craig Robertson
10 February – The Edinburgh of Burke & Hare – Eric Melvin
24 February – Restoration of the Corstorphine Astoria Cinema Organ – Ian Anderson
10 March – Issues & Incidents – did that actually happen? – Tom Gordon
