27th August 2023
Another good meeting was held by the working group on 10th August and lots of good ideas were raised, including opportunities for worship and social events together. More to follow on that soon, once Christine McGuinness and Gillian Couper, Parish Associate at Greyfriars, who are joint chairs of the group, put their heads together and bring follow up news and create the website pages on both Greyfriars Kirk and St Cuthbert's websites, where documents, news items and updates will be shared and remain available as things progress. So, as they say, “watch this space” and more coming soon. As ever, though, if you’d like to raise questions or chat to someone about the proposed union, please get in touch with Christine McGuinness via the church office at office@stcuthberts-edinburgh.uk or 0131 229 1142 .
30th July 2023
In April, Edinburgh and West Lothian Presbytery agreed a Mission Plan that involves the union of various congregations across Edinburgh and West Lothian. Under this plan the Parish Church of St Cuthbert will be uniting with Greyfriars Kirk. St Cuthbert’s have established a team and in June met with representatives from Greyfriars to form a joint working group, which will represent the congregations. At that first meeting, the group shared understanding of the Presbytery process and key points along the way to union, expected to take place in 2025. The group also shared some of the rich history and tradition of both churches, with many parallels and echoes in development and interest over the centuries. If you’d like to delve into Greyfriars history, you can find a timeline here: https://greyfriarskirk.com/community/, and please do think about attending a service at Greyfriars Kirk.
Both churches are members of the HeartEdge movement, and the “Four Cs” of the HeartEdge framework (congregation, compassion, culture and commerce) provide an excellent starting point for the group to start thinking about the ways in which the two congregations can get to know each other and come together over the coming months. The group will be meeting for a second time, on 10th August, when it will think about initial documents required by Presbytery and how the churches might shape a joint understanding and vision for mission. Meantime, if you have any questions about the union or want to chat to someone about what it all means, or if you have any ideas or suggestions please do get in touch with Christine McGuinness via the church office at 0131 229 1142 or office@stcuthberts-edinburgh.uk