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Greenbank in the Community

Some years ago the Kirk Session agreed that Greenbank Church must aim to be a community:

• where Christian faith is proclaimed, experienced, understood, lived and acted upon
• where all people feel they belong (whatever their age, background, experiences and current belief)
• which provides a focus for the local community
• which stimulates outward-looking Christian action in the parish, the city and the world.

It was following this statement of intent that the decision was taken to undertake an extension of the halls accommodation to enable a greater range of both church and community activities to be housed. As described above, the Parish of Greenbank is almost exclusively made up of residential homes. The church halls form a natural meeting place for many community groups quite apart from church organisations. Examples of such groups are a Mothers and Toddlers group, a Childminders’ group, a Pre-school Nursery, a Friendship Club, Badminton, Ballet, a Bridge club, a Yoga club as well as a full range of the various sections of the Guide and Scout movements.

Beyond the church but within the city, a Neighbourhood group operates a car scheme to take people to hospital etc and there is active involvement in the Night Shelter, Care Van and Fresh Start. There has been a long-standing relationship with South Morningside school, the Minister of Greenbank acting as School Chaplain at the invitation of the head-teacher. The Minister also participates in the RME programme of the school. End of term services are held in Greenbank at Christmas, Easter and Summer.

Beyond Edinburgh, the congregation has a special interest in an orphanage in Tuni, India, stemming from the activities of Q II, our youth group. In addition close interest is taken in the work in Jamaica of our Missionary Partners, Roy and Jane Dodman. Members of Greenbank are active in the arrangements that are being developed to support the Dodmans in their work following the changes in priorities of the Board of World Mission. In addition Greenbank is one of relatively few congregations in Edinburgh to be recognised as a ‘Fair Trade’ church.

Each year the Kirk Session authorises two special appeals. The Advent and Christmas appeal is always for the work of Christian Aid and in 2005 realised £19,000. The second appeal is during Lent and Easter and is normally for a more local cause and raises in the order of £2,000 annually

The Buildings at Night
Q II in India
Mannings Hill Sunday School, Jamaica