Please find below a letter from Rev Alan Childs confirming the results of the vote on Union between Craigsbank and Corstorphine Old Parish at last week’s service.
Dear Craigsbank church members and friends
What a remarkable moment in the story of our congregation. I want to offer heartfelt thanks to every one of you following the outcome of the recent unification vote. Both Craigsbank and Corstorphine Old congregations voted – almost unanimously – to move forward as one united church family under the new name Corstorphine: Old and New.
The voting numbers were as follows, distinguishing between the votes of the Sessions (a few weeks prior) and the Congregations (Sunday past):
| Sessions votes | ||||
| Craigsbank | Craigsbank | Cor.Old | Cor.Old | |
| For | Against | For | Against | |
| Basis of Union (excl pa 7 re. ministers) | 16 | 0 | 17 | 0 |
| Par 7 ministers in Basis of Union | 16 | 0 | 19 | 0 |
| Basis of Team Ministry | 16 | 0 | 17 | 0 |
| Congregations votes | ||||
| Craigsbank | Craigsbank | Cor.Old | Cor.Old | |
| For | Against | For | Against | |
| Basis of Union (excl pa 7 re. ministers) | 85 | 1 | 78 | 5 |
| Par 7 ministers in Basis of Union | 85 | 1 | 79 | 3 |
| Basis of Team Ministry | 82 | 4 | 78 | 5 |
This is an encouraging sign of faith and hope for the future. It reflects a spirit of openness to where God is leading us – a willingness to embrace change not so much as a loss, but as an opportunity for growth, deeper fellowship, and renewed mission.
These results did not appear overnight. They are the fruit of years of General Assembly instructions, local Presbytery implementation, much patient prayer, dialogue, and discernment. I want to pay special tribute to our Steering Group members, whose integrity and thoughtful leadership have been invaluable throughout the process, and to our Kirk Session elders, who have given so much time, care, and wisdom to guide and support both congregations through every stage.
And I want to thank you, the congregation, for your gracious engagement and your faithfulness. You have attended meetings, asked honest questions, listened carefully and kept your hearts open. In doing so, you have made this transition not only possible but hopeful and life-giving.
As we move forward towards uniting formally by 1 January 2026, our shared ministry will take shape in new and exciting ways. Rev Moira McDonald will continue serving primarily as parish minister for the established communities east of Maybury Road, and I will serve as Pioneer Minister, focusing on the developing neighbourhoods to the west – helping to build community, nurture faith among new residents, and, in time, plant a new worshipping congregation there. Together, along with you, we will form a Team Ministry – working collaboratively across the whole of Corstorphine: Old and New parish to realising the Kingdom of God in both familiar and emerging places.
There will, of course, be much to work out in the months ahead, like structures, services, shared activities, but we can do all this with confidence that God’s Spirit has already been at work among us. The generosity, faith, and unity shown through this process give me great hope for what lies ahead. Keep an eye out for next week’s scheduled monthly Westoverland online newsletter when we will be set out in more detail what the unification process will probably look like.
Thank you again for your faith, patience, and participation through these significant years. I feel privileged to serve alongside you in this new season of ministry, and I look forward with genuine excitement to all that God will do in and through us in the years to come.
With every blessing and warmest thanks,
Alan Childs