Church Groups

There are a range of groups around our church community - and everyone is very welcome!

Flower Group

• When: As and when
• Time: As and when
• Where: Church building
• Contact: Anne Mackenzie
• READ MORE

Choir

• When: Thursday
• Time: 7.30pm - 8.30pm
• Where: Church building
• Contact: Michael Green
• READ MORE

Book Group

• When: Tuesday
• Time: 7.30pm
• Where: Church centre
• READ MORE

Mothers' Union

• When: every second month
• Where: Church centre
• Contact: Janet Gooddy
• READ MORE

Knitting Group

• ​Knitting - 1st/3rd Mondays
• Time: 1pm - 2.30pm
• Where: Church Centre
• Contact: Elizabeth Pearson
• READ MORE​

Prayer Shawl Ministry

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• Second Thursday every month
• Time: 1.30 -3p:m
• Where: Church Centre
• Contact: Alison Horsburgh and Jane Green
• READ MORE

Quilting Group

• Quilting - Tuesdays
• Time: 2pm - 4pm
• Where: Church Centre
• Contact: Mary Snow
• ​READ MORE

Film Group

• Monday evenings in the church centre
• Once a month
• ​Contact: Jane Green and Christine Johnson
• READ MORE

Walkers Groups

• Two walking groups offering  a variety of short and long walks
• See walking schedule for full details.
• READ MORE

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Flower Group

 

The Flower group work regularly behind the scenes to provide flower arrangements that adorn the church and enhance our worship. The team are always looking for new members. You do not have to have any formal training, just a love of flowers and arranging them. 

​We have meetings three or four times a year in each other's houses. Easter, Harvest and Christmas are great fun when we all get together with good coffee and homemade cakes. We particularly enjoy being asked to provide arrangements for weddings, which also earns a little extra income for the church. 

Please do come and join a very happy team. 

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Choir

 

Christ Church has had a choir ever since the church was built. The choir currently sings an anthem at every Sunday morning eucharist, and sings Choral Evensong on the 5th Sunday of the month. We sing a wide range of music ranging from Byrd to Rutter, both accompanied and unaccompanied. We also sing settings of the eucharist on special occasions and about once a year we have a special evening event where we sing, e.g., the Fauré Requiem, or a selection of anthems appropriate to the season.

We have a full SATB choir with around 20 members, mostly adult, and we always welcome new singers. Even if you can't make every Sunday but would be interested in singing with the choir when you can, do get in touch. There is no formal audition. Prospective members are encouraged to sing with us for a period of about a month after which we will jointly agree whether or not they should continue. We are not looking for operatic voices, and you don't have to be able to sight-sing, but please be prepared to learn!

 If you would like to join the choir, or if you have a child who might be interested, please contact the Director of Music. We practice on Thursdays from 7.30 to 8.30 pm. We also practice from 9.30 each Sunday morning. 

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Book Group

 

The Book Group usually meet on the first Tuesday of the month in the Church Centre at 7.30pm.  

If you join the book group you will find that the books are usually available from the Edinburgh Libraries Book Collection and you can pick up your copy from the church office or at the book group meeting. Copies should also be available at the library.

Please refer to the latest copy of the Magazine for details of when the group will be meeting and of the book we will be discussing.

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Mothers' Union

 

Being part of a world-wide movement we are always interested in talks about other countries and this year we heard about fair trade in Nepal, had a floral tour of Australia, and looked at the impact of the Wall on the people of Palestine. Our prayer diary keeps us informed about Mothers' Union activities and we contribute in various ways to the UK and Overseas Support Committee, through which the church supports many charities in different countries. 

Meetings are not just for listening and there was a spirited debate during our meeting on Role Models versus Celebrities, when we looked at modern magazines with surprising results.

Visitors and new members are always very welcome to come to any of the meetings. 

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Knitting Group

 

The knitting group is a very pleasant social occasion. Our participants range from experienced knitters to total beginners - there always seems to be someone happy to help with advice or to give demonstrations to us less able knitters! People can knit whatever they like - from Balaclavas for Deep Sea Fisherman, bonnets for premature babies, to Prayer Shawls for our own congregation, You can crochet or sew if you like - knitting is not compulsory!

Some people bring their packed lunch with them and others just have tea or coffee and biscuits. Everyone is very welcome and do come along and join us.

Prayer Shawl Ministry

Over the last few weeks, members of the Prayer Shawl Group have been busy knitting at home. We have kept in touch with each other through emails, phone calls and even a virtual knitting group meeting on Zoom! 
 
We have been able to take or post shawls to people in particular need at this time and have also received feedback from many recipients that their shawl has brought them comfort, a feeling of connection, peace and support. 
 
We now have a lovely selection of completed shawls which will be blessed and are available to be distributed. If you know of anyone - friends, neighbours or family members - who you feel might be in need of a word or sign of support, please let us know and we can arrange to have one posted, delivered directly or to you if you would like to deliver it yourself. Please get in touch with Jane or Alison directly or via the office.
 
Thank you to our knitters and to the whole congregation for your continued support of this ministry.

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Quilting Group

 

This group continues to thrive and we welcome new members. Over the past year, several babies have been the recipients of beautiful quilts and each member of the group has a lovely patchwork pin cushion now. We have embarked on a group project and are working together on one large quilt. Friendships have been developed and birthdays are celebrated with coffee, croissants and one of Pirjo's miniature patchwork cards. 

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Film Group

 

The film group started in November 2015, and continues to be popular with around 25-35 people gathering in the church centre to watch the film and discuss it. These have ranged from Eddie the Eagle, to I, Daniel Blake and Queen of Katwe through to Of Gods and Men to reflect on Inter Faith Week in November. The next film night is planned for January 2019. 

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Walkers Group

 

The walkers groups are always pleased to welcome new members. We have walks for beginners through to the committed hill trekker. 

See details for Group A and Group B below. If you wish to join any of the walks, you can contact the Coordinator through the church office. 

Walkers A Group
Contact: awalkers@6a.org.uk
​Christ Church Walkers “A” Group Programme 2019
5th January. 
Pentlands :West Kip, East Kip and Scald Law from Balerno with potential for great views across the Forth to Fife and east across the Moorfoot Hills. Distance 12km, ascent 500m. OS Sheet 66.  (Tim Horne)

2nd February. 
Kilpatrick Hills circular: distance 15km; ascent 490m (L. MacDougall)

2nd March.
TBC 

6th April.
East Cairn Ridge and Mount Maw: distance 18km; ascent 488 (A. Shotter)

4th May.
Ben Nevis: distance 17km; ascent 1352m (S. Green)

26th May - 2nd June (3 nights in between these dates)
Weekend in Arran: TBC

6th July. 
Tarmachan Ridge: distance 13km; ascent 750m (T. Horne)

3rd August.
Stob Law Circular, including Glensax and Dun Rig: distance 24km; ascent 941m (A. Mathieson)

6th - 9th September.
Weekend in Crianlarich: TBC (T. Horne)

5th October. 
Pykestone Hill and Drumelzier Law Circular: distance 15km; ascent 696m (A. Mathieson)

2nd November.
Coastal Walk:  TBC (A. Shotter)

7th December. 
​South Queensferry to Edinburgh: Distance 12km, limited ascent. (S. Green)

Walkers B Group
Contact: bwalkers@6a.org.uk
Walks are on every third Saturday of each month, usually leaving around 9.15am.  Walks vary in difficulty depending on the season and the weather on the day.  Petrol costs (if any) are shared.
​(please note that there may be last minute changes due to weather and other factors)
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8th December 2018
Linlithgow to Bo’ness circular  7 miles  (C. Stephens) 

19th January 2019
Pentlands 6 miles (S. Green)

16th February 2019
Ormiston to Musselburgh. 7 miles (J. Gregory)
                                  
For more information please contact us on bwalkers@6a.org.uk or the relevant walk organiser.