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A Community of sharing - sharing Christ with community in faith, love, hope and service.

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In this Issue:
S Anne’s
Letter from the
1
Magazine C h a r i t y N o . S C 0 0 6 3 0 0
minister

Editorial 2

Is Normality
2
Returning

Guild 3

Groups
3
Returning

Book Club 3
Things are moving forward.
Future Shape of Letter from the Minister
4 My Dear Friends Over the past challenging year, the phrase I heard
the church
“In 1944, the ‘Socratic Club’, an Oxford debating often was how much people longed to ‘get back to
Derek 90! 5 Society, invited CS Lewis (of ‘The Lion, the Witch normal’: it is a phrase I know we all have much
sympathy with – and is a sentiment many share.
and the Wardrobe’ fame) to present an essay with
Walking Group 5 However, in our journey forward in May, there was
the title ‘Is Theology Poetry’: he ends it with the
the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland:
words, ‘I believe in Christianity as I believe that the
Anne—100! 6/7 and it is safe to say that things are going to change;
Sun has risen, not only because I see it, but
and change is going to be difficult and extremely
because by it I see everything else.’ As we journey
Getting Folk back 8 challenging: but change we must if the Church of
towards Easter, our greatest celebration, we look
forward to that moment of renewal and rebirth, Scotland is to survive.
2022 Calendar 8
when all that is dark and frightening falls away In this magazine, amongst the exciting news about
easyshopping 8 before the one truth: that in and through the what we hope will be happening in the next
resurrection, we are loved and saved. This is the months, you will find a very helpful article by Mr
Carol & Craig 9
root of our faith tradition.” David Stewart which lays before you some statistics
Life & Work 9
The observant amongst you will recall that those and the ‘bare bones’ of the decision(s) made in
words concluded my last letter to you, written May regarding the future of the Church of Scotland
Bethany Welcome
10 shortly before Easter, whilst we were once again in light of these: I urge you to read this carefully.
Centre The reality is that change is coming to all parts of
‘locked down’. Easter came and went, then
Jack & Jill Club 10 Ascension, Pentecost and Trinity, and we are now the Church of Scotland, including Corstorphine:
11 well through the year: by the time your read this, but: as the Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy might
Junior Page helpfully put it, ‘DON’T PANIC’! It is not yet time to
we shall be preparing to re-open our halls,
St Anne’s Services 12 welcoming back many, if not all, of the groups who switch off the electricity, put the cat out and leave
a note for the milkman (person?) as we close the
have been waiting to ‘get going’ again. In our
@st_annes_church doors for the last time. However, it IS time for us
worship life, we have finally been allowed to
to engage ourselves, as a congregation and
replace the pew cushions (a fact that many have
facebook.com/ community, with the discussions regarding the
expressed gratitude for, on behalf of certain parts
future of ‘church’ in Corstorphine, and St Anne’s
of the anatomy, anyway!), and we are able, after a
@stanneschurchcorstorphine year of isolated singing, to sing together once more on-going part in that community, both as people
– albeit, at time of writing, behind masks. Things and as a building.
do seem to be moving forward, and we are “For where two or three are gathered together in
grateful. my name, I am there among them.” (Matthew
 P a g e 2

18:20) constant demands of everyday life.’ (Berry,

2015)
God’s people can gather together to worship
anywhere, anytime. Yes, for those of us who Take time in the weeks and months to come to
are active members of churches, the buildings reflect on what matters to you as a part of our
we use become, over the years, special: in her congregation, and to us, as a worshipping
pamphlet ‘Re-thinking Worship?’, Jan Berry community. Take time to gather with others:
writes: ‘So what makes space ‘sacred’ for us? join in with our activities: share your thoughts,
Sometimes it is the beauty – of a landscape or a your hopes, your fears about the future. Most
building – that inspires a sense of awe and of all, take time to pray for those who will be
wonder, of transcendence, helping us to catch a preparing draft plans for consideration, and for
glimpse of something beyond ourselves that we those who will need to discuss them. In all of
may choose to name as divine. Sometimes it is this, remember that God is with you, wherever
the memories or associations that the place you are; and that, however challenging it may
holds for us: the memory of a significant seem, if we have learned anything over these
occasion or moment in our own personal past months, it is that there IS a future – even if
journey. Sometimes it is because a place has it turns out to be a bit different from what we
been a place of prayer and pilgrimage for thought it ought to be!
generations, so that the very air seems to
May God bless you.
resonate with the faith of people who have
gone before. Sometimes it is the quiet and
peacefulness that allows us to retreat, to draw
away from the noise and bustle and the

Editorial blessed by our beautiful

surroundings throughout
again. In particular I draw your
attention to the article by Anne
Dear All Scotland and more locally in St Marquis, an amazing account of
We are away for a few days in Anne's. surviving upheaval and change.
Galloway as I write, i am sure Thanks to all for fantastic Best wishes
many of you have also been contributions to this magazine as
rediscovering the joys of Ed.
more activities get underway
holidays in the uk, we are very

Is Normality Returning?
Life at St Anne’s is slowly again; from 30th August we
backtrack on this progress.
getting back to some form of will start welcoming back
We might even be able to
normality. Session meetings outside users to St Anne’s –
arrange some social
and other meetings can now that is once they have
events……..so watch this
be help in person rather than absorbed the rules and
space.
remotely (subject to physical completed the plethora of
distancing of course); our paperwork that is now
Groups will soon be able to required! We hope and pray
meet on the premises once that we will not have to

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The Guild syllabus for this coming year and Even though we are arranging dates
intends to experiment this year we will only meet when it is safe to
After more than a year of do so and when people are
with alternate afternoon and
restrictions and communication comfortable with the
evening meetings at 2pm or 7pm so
taking place only remotely by arrangements. We will of course be
that those who are concerned
phone, email or visiting in small observing all the current
about coming out in the evening government and Church of Scotland
numbers outside, we now think can feel happier about coming back guidelines. Things may change
that it may be possible to meet as a after so long on their own. again so check the church website.
Guild in the not too distant future. We will try to keep you up to date
The committee is working on a Kath Palmer (Guild President)

able to re-start in September or

Groups Restarting soon after. Please look out for
further information on this topic,
It is hoped that St Anne’s groups, either on the website or in print.
such as the FAN Club and Past members will be contacted as
Caring&Sharing @St Anne’s, will be soon as information is available.

“The Amber Keeper” by Freda Hartford is a fascinating read…

Book Group Lightfoot. OR you could always tackle …
“The Last Correspondent” by “Wilfred Owen - An Illustrated
Soraya M. Lane Life” by Jane Potter which is
The Book Group is planning to
If you like a good thriller I would based on manuscripts,
meet outside and socially
suggest books by Daniel Silva for a artefacts and family
distancing on 10th August to
change. His first novel “The photographs and includes
review the books we have read
Unlikely Spy” was an international some of his best known
over the last year. The new
bestseller and “The Mark of The poems. ( I have a copy if you
2021/22 Syllabus will be available
Assassin “ another of his early want to borrow it )
then and hopefully we will be able
books is a good read too. This I think should provide
to plan “ real “ meeting dates
I know that many of the menfolk you with
soon after that. I plan to leave
often prefer fact to fiction so to loads of reading material!
some copies at the back of the
cover this I might suggest - Enjoy!
Sanctuary after this date for
anyone interested in finding a “Lion” by Saroo Brierley which was
previously published as “A Long Mary Patterson.
new book to read.
Meanwhile if you are still looking Way Home - A Memoir and is now
for some summer/ autumn a major motion picture.
reading here are some “Fifty Things That Made The
suggestions. Modern Economy” by Tim
P a g e 4

The Future Shape of the Church in Corstorphine

As at 2 July, there are 1267 congregations in the Church of Scotland, organised in 1000
charges. Only 693 have ministers, 261 are vacant and 46 are in guardianship without
permission to call a minister. Many vacant congregations have been vacant for years. The
General Assembly in May agreed such a high number of vacancies was hindering outreach and
mission.

Shortage of ministers: Over 100 parish ministers are at or beyond pension age and many more will
be by 2025. Only some 15 ministers complete training each year, while around 12 ministers are
admitted from other denominations. There will be only around 480 parish ministers by 2025.
Falling membership: In 1980 the Church had almost 1 million members: now there are less than
300,000.
Financial constraints: One-third of congregations are subsidising the remainder, with annual income
falling, exacerbated by the pandemic.
Too many buildings: The 1267 congregations have 1590 churches, some located close together,
some in the wrong place.
New challenges: what new forms of mission and outreach are required?

The Assembly decided that it was realistic to plan for 660 paid ministries (around 480 ministers
and 120 MDS - ministries development staff) across Scotland by 2025, and instructed each
Presbytery to draft a new Presbytery Plan, consult with Kirk Sessions, revise, and have the plan
approved by 31 December 2022.

Based on the Church's long-standing formula, the Presbytery of Edinburgh has been allocated
48.5 FTE ministries, a reduction of 38% on the present 78.2 FTE. There are 70 congregations in
64 single charges and 3 linked charges plus 13.7 MDS in posts for children, youth, community,
outreach and development work in challenging parishes. So the majority of congregations
would need to unite or link with a neighbouring congregation. There would be a minimum 20
such new unions or linkages - and over 25 if some posts are to be used for new or existing MDS
roles.

The Presbytery is preparing a plan with draft proposals for the allocation of ministry posts and
necessary church buildings across the city. The draft ought to be specific enough that Kirk
Sessions can engage with the difficult issues, and could offer adjusted proposals in the light of
local knowledge, understanding that more posts for one area means less for another.
What does this mean for Corstorphine? The six congregations (Carrick Knowe, Craigsbank, Old,
St

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Andrew's Clermiston, St Anne's, St Ninian's) had 7,000 members in 1980 and 2,093 members in
2020. The current plan has one minister per congregation. The draft plan will probably
allocate 3 or 4 posts. How should these ministries be best deployed? How many of the 7 sets
of church buildings are required?

Planning is the first stage. Implementation depends on local agreement. St Andrew's

Clermiston is vacant. All 5 present ministers are on unrestricted tenure so no adjustment may
take place without their consent or until vacancies arise. Any Basis of Adjustment also has to
be approved by office-bearers and by congregations. Whatever changes may be in prospect,
there will still be a strong and outward looking church in Corstorphine.

David Stewart

DEREK DOYLE SENDS HIS MOST SINCERE THANKS TO ALL WHO

SENT CARDS TO HIM ON HIS 90th BIRTHDAY.

GOD BLESS THE WONDERFUL CARING CONGREGATION OF ST

ANNES, EDINBURGH

Derek Doyle

Tuesday Walking Group

The walking group made a easy friendship walks to walks on a Saturday if there is
belated start to the get us a little bit fitter. At enough interest.
summer walks on 6th the moment the walks are If you would like to join us, or
July (rained off in the evening but as the find out about individual
unfortunately) and we light gets less in the walks, phone me
hope to go on till the end evenings, they will be (01313171335) or email me.
of August. We are brought forward to earlier
currently limited in where in the day. There may also
Muriel Gibson
we can go and how we can be some full day longer
travel so these are short
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Anne Marquis—100!
Sincerest congratulations are extended to Anne Marquis on her 100th birthday
on 31st July. The article below was written by Anne for her school`s centenary,
hence the naming of former pupils who became friends throughout her time in
the WRNS. We thought this would be of interest to members of St Anne`s as a snippet of Anne’s full and
interesting life.

My Wartime Experiences - 1939-1945 by Anne Marquis

My school career at St Leonard`s came to an end in the summer of 1939 just as the second world war
was about to start. When war was declared I was with my family on our summer holiday with my aunt
and uncle at Brechin and they were asked to accept some evacuees from Dundee which might be
attacked by the Germans. Within a few days a family of mother and five children arrived aged about 8
down to 8 months, two boys about 10/11 and two girls about the same age. They came from a poor
area of Dundee and most arrived with lice in their hair. The mother`s idea of changing a nappy was to
dry it in front of the fire with the consequent very unpleasant smell! There were no disposable nappies
in those days! So, when my parents went home and my sister, Mary went back to school I stayed on
with my aunt and uncle to help with the evacuees. After a few weeks the family went back to Dundee
as the woman was missing her friends and we managed to get the two boys moved to another
household, so we were just left with the two older girls. These two stayed in Brechin for the whole of
their school career and probably had a much healthier childhood than they would have had in a poor
part of Dundee.
My parents had arranged for me to have a year out after leaving school and I was to go to Switzerland
for a year. However, this was not possible with the advent of war, so I embarked on a Secretarial
Course near my home in Birkenhead. This was for 9 months and I stayed on for an additional 6 months
to help with the teaching. After this I decided to join the WRNS and was finally accepted around
Christmas 1941. I applied from Scotland as I didn`t want to serve in Liverpool and my first posting was
to Dunfermline to work in the WRNS Recruiting office. You can imagine my surprise when I found the
officer in charge was Elizabeth Breese who had been a year ahead of me at St. Leonard`s and the Petty
Officer was Rosemary Peploe who was the year below me at school, so I felt very much amongst
friends.
The accommodation in Dunfermline was in a large house which belonged to the Earl of Elgin. It had
beautiful views across the Forth. We were in dormitories of 4 to 6, but, having spent four years at St
Leonards in dormitories of 10 girls, the dormitories with 4 felt very spacious.
After some months there I volunteered to go abroad and in December 1942 I joined a troopship to
Mombasa, Kenya. We travelled round South Africa as the Suez Canal was controlled by the enemy. The
troopship ahead of us was torpedoed and many of the troops lost their lives. We were fortunate to
arrive safely. I had six months in Mombasa working in the coding office and much enjoyed it. It was
very hot but we used to go for weekends to Malindi down the coast where there were lovely beaches
and good swimming.
In September 1943 the Japanese had over run Burma and Malaysia and the British Pacific Fleet had
moved its HQ to Ceylon, now Sri Lanka, to Colombo and Trincomalee – a small town on the north east

of the island and more staff were needed over there. I was fortunate to get the opportunity to go
Trincomalee and was also lucky that in company with about 20 others a short course was laid on to

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commission us as Third Officers as some officers were needed to stay in Mombasa and some for Colombo
and Trinco. Life was better being an officer rather than a rating as one was much freer and living
conditions were more comfortable, specially overseas.
When we arrived in Trinco the signals office was not really finished. It was a concrete building without
windows and with a flat roof and it was very hot and uncomfortable. We worked watches (navel for shifts)
including an 8-hour night shift. There was 5 Officers and 1 Wren typist on each watch, and we were
coding and decoding messages to and from ships and Royal Naval establishments. The girls I worked with
became great friends, Eleanor Lauder was the second Officer in charge and the others were Mary Danby,
June Firth, Ann Norbury and our typist, Sheila Arnot who had been a good friend of mine in Mombasa. Our
social life tended to be with the same people.
A pleasant two storey building had been requisitioned as a WRNS Officers Mess with our sleeping quarters
opposite across a rough track. Jungle had been cleared to build these quarters. They were built of kajan
or straw, a popular haven for bugs of all descriptions. They were built in rows with concrete paths
connecting them to the ablutions block – rows of washbasins, a few showers and ‘thunder boxes’ which
the sanitary squad came to empty at the most awkward hour in the morning particularly unkind when one
had just come off and eight-hour night watch! We learnt later the Senior Naval Constructor had exceeded
his orders and given us single cabins for which we blessed him. The Wrennery was staffed by Singalese
and Goanese `boys` who cleaned our cabins, cooked and served meals etc.
The harbour at Trinco is one of the biggest in the world and was the main base for the Eastern fleet
providing anchorage for aircraft carriers, battleships, cruisers, destroyers and submarines and their depot
ships, fleet auxiliaries and a hospital ship. We made friends with many naval people, particularly
Submariners, and were sometimes invited to parities on ships. The Navy arranged to make a 12 foot
sailing dinghy available to the WRNS which was a real boon and meant we could sail across the harbour to
the main shopping street or go to beaches for picnics. On the whole we worked hard and played hard.
There were downsides when on more than one occasion a submarine didn`t return from patrol and the
crew was lost at sea.
We were able to go on leave every six months and I was fortunate in being invited to stay with Helen
Adams (nee Stevenson a St. L senior) who was the sister of Christina Guthrie (also a Senior) who was one
of my aunts by marriage. She lived in a nice house in the hills near Nuwara Eliya. Her husband was away
in the army. This was a beautiful area and a much cooler and pleasanter climate than Trinco.
By the Spring of 1945 the war in Europe was coming to an end and
those of us who had been abroad since the end of 1942 were due
to be sent home. We set off on a troopship in May and VE day
was announced when we were o the way. We came back through
the Suez Canal and the Mediterranean which was very interesting
and quite new to me. It was very exciting arriving home after two
and a half years away. Usually when you had served abroad you
were asked by the powers that be where you would like to be
posted for the remainder of your time in the WRNS. I said I would
like to be somewhere near London as I had friends around there.
Surprisingly I was sent to Greenock on the Clyde. I didn`t know
the west coast at all but unfortunately most of the ferries were
not running for lack of fuel and it wasn`t easy to get about. After
working there for about three months I was demobilised and
returned to the family in Birkenhead.
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‘Getting Folk Back'

So much has changed over the past 18 months: at the start of 2020 we had busy halls, and an active
social calendar and worship life. As things begin to ‘crank up’ again, it is probably the time to ask
ourselves: What is our 'direction' post-lockdown? What do we want our congregation to look like? Do
we want to ‘drift along’, or de we want to be proactive?

At its last meeting, the Session discussed such questions, and I ventured to suggest a theme for the

year, beginning in September: ‘Getting folk back’. The focus, clearly, is re-engaging you, our
‘folk’, with ‘live’ events, including worship, rather than just ‘on-line’. This is why services have moved to
be ‘live-streamed’ (in keeping with the Church of Scotland’s view that we need to keep our presence
‘out there’), and we are encouraging folk to come back so that the singing we are now allowed to do is
loud and joyful!

We have set up a small planning group for this year, with the remit of reflecting upon our 'Mission and
Outreach' events from the past which might encourage people folk to begin to come back to join in our
activities: eg: Film Nights; Concerts; St Andrew’s Night Ceilidh; Burns’ Night; BBQ; Beetle Drive; other
community events.

If you have any ideas for activities we could consider, please let us know. If you would like to be
involved in helping with some of the planning – LET US KNOW! Email/’phone/speak to the office, or
me, the Minister if you would like to be involved.

Jamie Griggs

St Anne’s Calendar 2022 abundant supply. This will only go ahead if there is
sufficient interest, so watch out for further
After the success of the 2021 Walking Group
information on the website or in print. They do make
Calendar, it has been suggested that St Anne’s could
ideal Christmas presents!
produce a calendar for 2022, with pictures of St
Anne’s throughout the seasons, of which we have an

Thank you to our loyal supporters for online shopping - at no extra cost to
raising donations for St. Anne's Church you! Every donation you raise makes
with #easyfundraising! The amount a difference to us so please sign up
raised to date is now over £1,188. at www.easyfundraising.org.uk and
If you haven't signed up yet, it's easy and choose as your cause St. Anne's Church -
completely FREE. 5,800 shops and sites Edinburgh.
will donate to us when you use Lyn Chalmers
easyfundraising to do your everyday

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Carol & Craig are 60!

Well, we recently celebrated our 60th Wedding Anniversary (21 July 1961); and would like to thank all of you for
the lovely cards and flowers and good wishes we received. It is good to know we have so many friends in St.
Annes.
Celebrations were quiet for obvious reasons but enjoyable with time spent with our family.
On Sunday 1 August we had a small part of the Service where we renewed our commitment to each other and
found it very emotional, thank you Jamie, as apparently did others who were there, and others who watched
online!
Hopefully it won’t be too long till we can meet up for a ‘cuppa’ and chat and we will bring the biscuits because
the cake will all be eaten by then.
Kindest regards to all,
Carol and Craig

Life and Work - The Magazine of the Church of

Scotland
Life and Work, founded in 1879, has been informing, uplifting, moving, connecting and
occasionally enraging the Church of Scotland for over 140 years.
To encourage new subscribers, Life and Work are offering a special Promotion.

Annual PRINT Subscription

Buy 12 issues for the price of 10 and pay ONLY £30
Purchase and save at www.lifeandwork.org/subscribe using promotion
code LWS2021

Annual DIGITAL Subscription

Receive 34% OFF when you buy 12 issues and pay ONLY £13.99
Purchase and save at https://pktmags.com/lwspromo

Promotions valid until 30 September 2021

Further information and resources can be found at:
www.lifeandwork.org/resources/life-and-work-sunday

Should you wish to receive your copy of Life and Work via St Anne’s, please
contact Myrtle Turner: 334 5966 or [email protected] and you will
be added to the distribution list.
 P a g e 1 0

Bethany Welcome Centre - Volunteer driver opportunities

Bethany Christian Trust who run the Welcome Centre (previously called the Care Shelter) also run a Care
Van service. They are looking for volunteer minibus drivers. Below is an extract from Naomi’s email:

“I am emailing today to ask for help for our other service, the Care Van. I realise some of you will already
volunteer for the Care Van whilst others will not know about the service.

The Care Van goes out every evening and 5 lunchtimes a week (Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday
and Sunday), serving those in the city centre who are experiencing food poverty. There is a set route the
van takes with approximate timings for each stop.

Unfortunately our insurance company has changed their policy and has reduced the upper age limit to 70
for our drivers. We aren’t able to change this, despite having asked. This has sadly meant that some of
our evening and lunchtime teams are now short of drivers and we are therefore looking for volunteers
who would be able to help on an adhoc or regular basis, either in the evening (8.30pm to late) or
lunchtime (11.50am to 3pm).

If you would be able to help in any way or would like more information please let me know.

Kind regards

Naomi [email protected] “
If you feel you could help with this, please contact Noel Proven 334 3499 or Lyn Chalmers 337 2839 or
contact Naomi directly.

Jack & Jill Club

As was intimated in the unable to meet since March on. If you or anyone you
December 2020 magazine, 2020 due to covid know is interested, please
Frances Tennant has retired as restrictions. It is possible let it be known. Frances has
organiser of the Jack & Jill Club that the club could re-open all the information, and she
after 19 years. We are extremely in September this year – will talk you through what is
grateful to Frances for her restrictions allowing – but to required.
dedication and commitment in do this we will require a Lyn Chalmers
this role. The Jack & Jill Club new team of leaders to Joint Session Clerk

have, like all other groups, been come forward to take this

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With the new school session about to start we hope you all enjoyed your summer holidays! We hope you
enjoy the facts and activities included for you below!

A Few Fun Facts about Summer

The first modern Olympic Games were held in the summer in 1896 in Athens, Greece.
The first day of summer is between June 20th and June 22nd every year. It is called the summer solstice
and is the longest day of the year.
The last day of summer is September 20th.
The Eiffel Tower actually grows about 6 inches in the heat of the summer due to the iron expanding,
Watermelon is one of summer’s best summer treats. Did you know that watermelons are not a fruit, but
a vegetable? They belong to the cucumber family of vegetables.
If you love ice cream, the summer season should be your favourite. July is national ice cream month.
July is also national blueberry month.
Frisbees were invented in the 1870’s as a pie plate, but in the 1940’s college students began throwing
them around. They are now a popular summertime toy.
More thunderstorms occur during summer than at any other time of year.
Ice pops were invented in 1905 by an 11-year-old boy.
 Church Services at St Anne’s

Church Services are now held in St Anne’s every Sunday at the usual time of 11am. Please register for
the service each week via the register page on our website at http://www.stannescorstorphine.org.uk/
register-to-attend-service.html. We look forward to seeing you there.

If you are unable to attend in person, the live service can be watched online from 11am at http://
www.stannescorstorphine.org.uk/live-broadcast.html.

Or if you prefer to watch it later the recorded broadcast can be viewed online, after the service, at http://
www.stannescorstorphine.org.uk/broadcast.html.

@st_annes_church

facebook.com/StAnnesParishChurch

@stanneschurchcorstorphine

Minister
Rev. Jamie Griggs

St Anne’s Parish Church,

1 Kaimes Road,
Corstorphine,
Edinburgh,

www.stannescorstorphine.org.uk
0131 316 4740
[email protected]

A Community of sharing - sharing Christ with community in faith, love, hope and service.