Children's Worship
Children's Worship with Godly Play, on the first Sunday of every month, at 9.30am in the Greenside Children's Chapel, Royal Terrace, Edinburgh.
For full details, see our Facebook page.
All are very welcome to this service for families, which lasts for half an hour. There there are typically around 10-15 of us attending, from a pool of 30 regulars. The children are currently aged between around one and seven.
We tell Godly Play stories during our worship.These are scripted tales from the Bible, or about the pattern of the church's year, told with simple props. They are followed by a time of 'wondering' questions, (such as, I wonder what you like best about this story, I wonder which is the most important part?), which we're all still getting the hang of.
Following the story, the children have a choice of response activities, including crafts and a cosy book corner. We have a lot of fun with sensory play, which has included sand, pebbles, play-dough, the Red Sea made of dry blue rice, tasting kumquats, bean sprouts and unleavened matzos, and smelling clouds of real frankincense and myrrh (we had a few anxieties about that session, but it all ended well).
At a special Christingle service in December, we had carols, stories, art, lots of candles and delicious Christmas baking and refreshments.
We are lucky to have an organist for our services, so the children can learn and share the wonderful hymns we all love. Some make us want to dance (Mine eyes have seen the glory) and sing with percussion (We are marching in the light of God). Some serious hymns (like O come, o come Emmanuel, or Amazing grace) have difficult words but fascinating tunes, and it's clear even to toddlers that that they are important songs. You are very welcome to join us!
Services
REGULAR SERVICES
Morning worship is at 11am each Sunday and is conducted by Rev Suzie Stark, Interim Moderator and Locum Minister.
The service is held in the sanctuary, accompanied by the choir and the church organ.
The Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper (Holy Communion) is celebrated quarterly on the last Sundays of October, January, March and June during morning worship.
Additional celebrations are held at the end of the morning service in November, December, February and May, as well as in the Rededication Service in September at the beginning of the church year.
The Russian Orthodox Church worships in Greenside at various times throughout the year. Their congegation is made up of many ex-pats including those from Ukraine.
We celebrated 180 years since Greenside started holding regular services in 2019. We held a special service on October 6th to mark this momentous occasion.
SPECIAL SERVICES
A number of special services are held throughout the year. They include:
- All Nations Advent service on the first Sunday of Advent at 6.30 pm.
- Holy Week services include those held under the auspices of Asian Concern.
- Easter Day dawn service on Calton Hill, 7.00 am, with neighbouring church congregations
RECORDINGS
Sunday morning worship and special services are recorded on CD for the benefit of members and others unable to come to the church. For further details contact us