For information regarding the programme of services to be held in the Old Kirk over the forthcoming month, please see the "Calendar" section of this web site.

As a congregation of the Church of Scotland, our worship is Presbyterian in form. We sing a mixture of traditional, popular and generally well-known hymns, and some modern songs too.  We pray, read from the Bible, and listen to a sermon (a talk for about 20 minutes, helping to explain the Christian message for people living in Edinburgh in 2010). After our Services there is always a cup of tea or coffee, and time for a chat.

If you live locally, at approximately 10.50 a.m. you will hear our recently refurbished bell calling you to worship. Please join us!

Sunday morning (11 a.m.)

Our main service of worship each week takes place  in the Church on Sunday morning, and lasts for one hour. Everyone is welcome, the atmosphere is informal, and children may attend the Sunday School or Creche (for those under school age).

On the last Sunday of the month, worship takes the form of a Family Service, and everybody remains together for the whole service.

We celebrate Communion on the first and third Sunday of every month; this part of the service lasts for about 10 minutes and is open to all Christian people.

Those wishing to share in Communion should follow the rest of the congregation to the front of the church at that time during the service, and sit either around the two tables in the middle of the Sanctuary or use the benches set against the walls.  

Those who don't want to participate in Communion are welcome to remain comfortably seated and use the time to pray quietly or simply to watch.

The Old Kirk uses a non-alcoholic Communion wine. It is your choice whether to share the common cup or take an individual glass of Communion wine from the tray on one of the central tables. Wheat-free and gluten-free bread is also available.

Thursday afternoon (2 p.m.) 

This is a short service, lasting approximately 30 minutes. A community bus picks up those who may have difficulty coming to the church unaided. The service is held in the Family Room, and  use should be made of the church's side entrance on West Pilton View. The service is followed by tea and scones and genuinely warm fellowship. Thursday services generally run during school term times only.

A number of people meet informally within the church every Tuesday evening to pray, as they feel moved, for matters affecting the world, the community, the church and congregation, and each of us personally. Prayer may be silent or spoken aloud as people feel most comfortable, and there is absolutely no pressure to pray out loud. Prayer requests may be made at any time by speaking with the Minister or leaving a written request in the tray which is normally kept on the stage at the back of the church. Another prayer group meets on Thursday evenings in The Manse, although a little less regularly than the Tuesday evening group meets; for further details see the Calendar section of this web site. 

If you'd like to know more about any of these services, please don't hesitate to speak with one of the people who'll be waiting to welcome you at the front door as you arrive at the church, or contact the Minister using the email address at the top of this page.