ST GILES’ NEWS
June
What’s inside
➢ Fresh Start
➢ Sacred arts
➢ Fresh paint
➢ Financial surprises
➢ Fresh faces
➢ Spring farewells
Scotland’s summer weather brings to mind a variety of words (some perhaps better left unprinted) but ‘changeable’ and ‘fresh’ may be amongst them As the season turns, so too does this newsletter, on those twin themes.
We hear of the fresh paint brightening Canongate Kirk, of the work of Fresh Start helping individuals rebuild their lives, and welcome a fresh face in the form of our new Communications Officer, Fraser.
Our Treasurer reports of a change for the better with the Cathedral’s finances, while our Minister offers a thoughtful reflection on the changes before us as the Cathedral prepares to introduce visitor charging, alongside exploring new opportunities for worship and music. As we look ahead and consider the steps necessary for a more secure future, we are reminded that change, though not always easy, can lead to something lasting and worthwhile.
In this edition, we also hear of the Jean Ferris memorial concert, explore more book recommendations as part of the National Year of Reading, and look ahead to the Edinburgh Festival of the Sacred Arts, promising a lively programme of music and creativity and shared experiences
For this, and more, we invite you to turn the page - afresh
Welcome
Welcome to the June edition of St Giles’ News In terms of the Christian Year we have completed our journey past the great high points – the Gospel stories of Christmas and Easter and then, towards the end of May, Pentecost and the birth of the Church.
Now we swing into what in some parts of the Church is called Ordinary Time because, it is said, the Sundays are numbered in the Ordinal In St Giles’ the custom is to talk in terms of Sundays after Trinity (this year the 31st of May) Either way there are something like thirty three Sundays before the Christian year draws to a close once more on the 22nd of November just before Advent begins
For those who lead worship, Ordinary Time can look a long slog. Week after week the same green banners and the sometimes seemingly endless following of chapter and verse with just the odd civic occasion to perk the interest
The jaundiced preacher needs always to remember that what the book calls Ordinary Time is not always so ordinary for those who sit and listen In the personal lives of those who gather in the Cathedral or listen on-line there will be significant ups and downs There are graduations and weddings in the family, a new baby, a promotion at work, a friend added to the circle For those who visit once this is a high point and a future memory to be treasured. While for others there are moments when the news is particularly bleak, the loss is sharp, and the pain or intolerable responsibility goes on and on.
God willing, as week by week we listen to Jesus’ teaching, engage with the struggles of the first Christians and renew our acquaintance with the ancient wisdom of the Hebrew bible there will be a word in season for those who do not find these times ordinary
We will listen together for the sacred word which can address our extraordinary experiences – the challenges we foresaw and now must face, the catastrophe we never envisaged, the remarkable blessing which we know we never earned
We now enter a season when as a worshipping community we apply ourselves to the routine and the pre-planned while always being open to the surprise, to discovering a new challenge in the widely shared and very familiar stories we will read
And if these coming months turn out to be abnormal for us as individuals or a community or a congregation or a nation then the God who knows each one will have something helpful and creative to say
May God surprise us in the routine and repetitive and may we know our creator close when life does not go as expected
News from down the road
The accompanying image shows evening sunshine streaming in through the north-facing windows of Canongate Kirk and illuminating our freshlypainted interior The redecoration has been a major project which required us to vacate the building for nearly four months, but we were delighted to be back in the sanctuary in time for the last weekend in April. Commitments that weekend included a wedding on the Saturday and both morning and evening services on the Sunday, so the pressure was on! We were of course delighted to welcome back friends from St Giles' to the monthly evening service Since then one or two further tasks have been completedthe wooden floor has been painted and a sign-writer has carefully renewed the pew numbering and other lettering elsewhere
Thanks to generous benefactors we took the opportunity to replace our outdated Audio Visual and Sound system at the same time and we are still getting used to that. The acoustics are currently even more challenging than usual as we still await the return of all the Regimental Colours, Standards and Banners that not only bring colour to our walls but cushioning to the echo! That should happen soon, though not absolutely everything will go back on the walls as before This includes Dr Warr's banner, which was commissioned from the Dovecot Studio to hang from a pillar of St Giles' when Queen Elizabeth II came to the Cathedral to receive the Honours of Scotland soon after Her late Majesty's Coronation in 1953 It eventually came to Canongate along with Dr Warr himself after his retirement Our Kirk Session recently agreed that it should be returned to St Giles' to hang once again from its original pillar. Not exactly a trade deal but a mark of our closer connections through our Parish Grouping Rev. Neil Gardner
Fresh Start has been working with people moving on from homelessness in Edinburgh for 26 years. We help people to make a home for themselves when they secure a social housing tenancy through the provision of goods and practical support, while also helping people develop the skills needed to sustain their tenancies The continued generosity of the St Giles' community enables us to keep supporting people to rebuild their lives.
A Year in Review: 2025 at Fresh Start
In a climate of inflation and increasing poverty levels in Edinburgh, the need for Fresh Start's services continues to grow While we're saddened that our services are still so necessary, we're incredibly grateful for the support of our community, and proud of the dedication shown by our staff and volunteers
In 2025, we distributed 20,020 Starter Packs from our warehouse, supporting over 2,500 households settling into new homes across the city 300 families registered for a Community Pantry membership – dignified access to affordable food where members can choose £25 worth of groceries for a fee of £5.
Our Community Kitchen stayed busy, dishing up 4,192 hot meals to the local community on Fridays. We also delivered 47 cooking classes where participants developed the skills and confidence to cook at home, while building a strong support network
2026 is already off to a strong start, with our Cookers for Christmas campaign raising a fantastic £30,126, which will fund the provision of white goods for people moving into unfurnished social housing We're looking forward to working with our community partners to continue delivering vital support services this year.
Clare's Story
Last year, Fresh Start supported Clare* with setting up her new home in Edinburgh After leaving a controlling marriage, Clare and her three children had spent a year homelesssharing one room in a friend's house, with no space or stability to call their own.
When they moved into permanent social housing, Clare was disappointed to find the walls covered in patches of plaster and peeling wallpaper, and no washing machine in the property After everything the family had been through, it was a disheartening start
Our Fresh Rooms team worked alongside Clare to paint the kitchen and living room in colours she and her children had chosen together Clare was thrilled with the transformation! We also provided a brand-new washing machine, ensuring she wasn't forced to take out a high-interest loan, and Starter Packs of household essentials which helped make the cost of moving more manageable for the family
When we checked in three months later, Clare told us she and her children were feeling settled in their new home She shared that the support she'd received had helped her to sustain her tenancy since moving in and given her the confidence to begin decorating her children's bedrooms
*Name changed
A letter from the Minister
Dear Friends,
As we approach the summer months, St Giles’ is experiencing a remarkable period of change. Some of that change has been visible and tangible; some of it, by necessity, has taken place quietly behind the scenes Change is rarely straightforward Even when it is essential, and even when it ultimately proves fruitful, it can unsettle us We naturally cherish what is familiar, and we rightly value the traditions and practices that have shaped us.
Yet one of the recurring themes of Scripture is that God’s people are continually called to look beyond the horizon they can presently see Again and again, God invites his people to leave behind certainty, to trust his leading, and to discover that what lies ahead is often larger and more gracious than they first imagined
I believe we are living through such a moment at St Giles’.
The changes we are undertaking have not been about change for its own sake Rather, they have been about preparing St Giles’ for the future: ensuring that our historic church remains not simply a treasured inheritance from the past, but a living, thriving congregation at the heart of Edinburgh and a place of spiritual and cultural significance for Scotland as a whole, as well as for our countless international visitors
As we look ahead, a new vista is opening before us. We are beginning to see more clearly the opportunities that lie before St Giles’ as the Kirk Session develops a strategic plan for the next 57 years focussing on who we are and how we achieve the best that we can be in real and tangible ways We can be a place of deep and faithful worship; a centre of hospitality and welcome; a gathering place for the city; a spiritual home for those seeking meaning and hope; and a national church who convenes conversations and ideas that contribute thoughtfully and graciously to the public life of Scotland
Every week we encounter people from across Edinburgh, across Scotland, and indeed from around the world who come through our doors Many arrive as visitors and leave having experienced something of God’s presence Many come carrying questions, burdens, or simply a longing for beauty and peace. The ministry of St Giles’ extends far beyond what we can always see The opportunities before us are therefore considerable
Of course, there remains much work to do We continue to face challenges, and there will undoubtedly be further decisions to make in the months and years ahead You may be aware of the difficult decision made to close the old shop This was made difficult because of having to say farewell to employees and volunteers who had given so much service to St Giles’ over the years, and for whose service and friendship we will remain grateful. However, the transition to a new St Giles’ retail experience, and one which is entirely integrated into an improved visitor experience for tourists and pilgrims had to happen. The new retail experience should be launched at the Cathedral’s West Door in mid-July While we say farewell, we will also welcome some new colleagues in the new role of Visitor Engagement Assistant, in addition to some of our current and continuing valued staff We will continue to always have a role for volunteers who bring an added value to the storytelling that takes place in the Cathedral, because of their personal love and connection with St Giles’.
With the Kirk Session’s approval Visitor Charging will commence in September (if all goes to plan). This will mean more intentional visitors to the Cathedral, in sustainable numbers and with increased resources for the future life, ministry and work of St Giles’.
September will also bring additional opportunities for worship at St Giles’, at 9:30 am before we open to visitors, and at the close of day at 6pm This will include midweek offerings of Holy Communion I am personally very excited about the addition to our worship offering on Thursdays at 6pm our new weekly Choral Evensong led by our marvellous St Giles’ Choir, led by Jack Oades and Jordan English, not to mention the addition of our new Student Choral Scholars.
Change is always challenging, even when we know deep down it is necessary It demands a great deal of us all Nonetheless, given our High Calling in Jesus Christ, in our time and in our context, we can approach that future not with anxiety, but with confidence; not with nostalgia alone, but with imagination; not simply asking how we preserve what we have inherited, but how we steward it faithfully for generations yet to come
I am deeply grateful for the patience, generosity, commitment, and faithfulness that so many of you have shown during this period of transition. The strength of St Giles’ has never rested primarily in its stones, magnificent though they are, but in the people who worship, serve, pray, and give of themselves week by week
Thank you for all that you do Together, let us continue to embrace the opportunities before us, trusting that the God who has guided St Giles’ and generations before us through centuries of change is leading us still
With every blessing, Scott
Meeting Fraser
St Giles’ is delighted to welcome Fraser Macdonald as our new Communications Officer. With experience of creative and community-focused projects in Edinburgh and a deep connection to sacred music, Fraser brings a thoughtful mix of organisational skill, storytelling enthusiasm, and long-standing appreciation for the Cathedral and its people. With a background that spans communications, community engagement, and - yes - a fair share of musical involvement, he reflects in this interview on the journey that brought him here, the spaces and stories within St Giles’ that inspire him, and his hopes for sharing the Cathedral’s vibrant present alongside its rich past
Could you tell us a little about your background and where you’ve come from?
I grew up in Perth, Scotland, and was introduced to the world of choral and sacred music through the National Youth Choir of Scotland. I moved to Edinburgh in 2019 to study music at the University of Edinburgh, and last summer completed a masters in composing for voices and instruments. During lockdown I co-founded a non-profit organisation, working for creatives across the city, focussing on event management, artist bookings, and community engagement. We expanded our team in 2025, which allowed me to take a background role as a director and focus on new projects and opportunities!
What first drew you to the role of Communications Officer at StGiles’ Cathedral?
My first time visiting St Giles’ Cathedral was in 2017, when I performed the Brahms Requiem with the National Youth Choir of Scotland in the Edinburgh Festival. Subsequently I have been fortunate enough to sing with the St Giles’ Cathedral Choir on several occasions; in the Honours of Scotland Service as part of the NYCOS chamber choir and in the recent performance of Duruflé Requiem conducted by Jack Oades
When I heard that St Giles’ was hiring a Communications Officer, I felt that it was the perfect combination of my interests: business development and communications, charitable work and community engagement, and sacred music and worship My experiences of working with Jack Oades and singing in the Cathedral had shown me what an exciting and ever-changing place St Giles’ was, so I jumped at the opportunity to join the team and contribute to the life of the Cathedral.
What is your favourite aspect of the St Giles’ building?
My favourite aspect of St Giles’ is the north window, with Jesus stilling the Sea of Galilee by Douglas Strachan Such vibrant purples and blues are rarely seen in stained glass, and the window is so detailed that I seem to find something new in it each time I look at it
If you could invite any historical figure to sit with you in StGiles’ for a chat, who would you choose and why?
I would sit down with Jenny Geddes, to finally end the discussion of how the riot was started, and what sort of stool she threw, or didn’t, as the case may be Either way, I think Jenny would be fascinating to chat to – although I would probably pick a location without any stools…
StGiles’ has centuries of history. How do you plan to balance heritage storytelling with highlighting present-day life as a place of worship and community?
The story of St Giles’, since 1124, has been a story of worship, of community, of religious politics, and of wide-spread cultural influence, and this is still the case to this day. Our history is very much alive: in national ceremonial and civic events, in the music sung and played throughout the cathedral, in the worship and sharing of the gospel, and in each visitor who enjoys a moment of rest, reflection, and peace in their visit
I see these elements as working hand-in-hand, not in opposition to each other, and I view it as my job to share the life of St Giles’ with the world, so that more people can participate in worship, community, culture, and heritage.
If the cathedral’s voice were a musical instrument, what would it be and why?
That’s an easy one – a splendid Organ, a Rieger, of course! The Cathedral has many voices and many moving parts, each with a distinct tone and purpose, yet somehow when each element plays together, we create something that is so much greater than the combination of its parts – a voice that can reach the far corners of Scotland and the rest of the world.
What’s
something people might be surprised to learn about you?
For my undergraduate composition class, I wrote my final piece to be performed in St Giles’ Cathedral! Moving People (2023) explores stories from my family history of the highland clearances, and modern stories from refugees living, working, and studying in Edinburgh. The piece calls for its audience to walk around the cathedral throughout the performance, listening to singers tell their part of the story – moving through place and time, experiencing displacement and migration as part of the concert experience Perhaps I will get the chance to perform it in St Giles’ one day!
Are there books, music, or places that bring you particular inspiration or joy?
There are so many pieces of music that bring me joy and inspiration, so I thought I would do my top three recommendations, with a short explanation as to why! Please do let me know your thoughts if you listen
John Eliot Gardiner conducts L’Orchestre Revolutionnaire et Romantique: Beethoven Symphony No 5 in C minor (2016 recording) The orchestra in this recording are standing, which brings an intensity and joy to the performance, which is unmatched in other interpretations, in my opinion There is also a fascinating BBC documentary on John Eliot’s interpretation and the history behind the piece.
Robert Pearsall – Lay a Garland, recorded by the Tenebrae Choir and Nigel Short This short piece was written in 1840 and sets text from the play The Maid’s Tragedy by Beaumont and Fletcher, when Aspasia’s betrothed is forced into a marriage of convenience The musical setting is absolutely heartbreaking and combines Renaissance-era melodies with 19th Century stories
Cymande by Cymande (1972) Cymande are an influential British funk group who formed in 1971, playing a fusion of soul, reggae, rock, and jazz. Oddly they are somewhat unknown in the UK, despite major success in the US markets You may recognise some of their tracks, as many have been sampled and reworked into modern songs across a wide range of genres Cymande is my go-to chill-out album after a busy day
Holding steady
The audit of the Consolidated Accounts of St Giles’ for 2025 has now been completed, and the accounts are ready to be approved by the Kirk Session at the beginning of June and then laid before the Congregation at the Stated Annual Meeting later in that month.
They paint an unusual picture in the recent history of St Giles’ finances The net Unrestricted income for the year – income which does not derive from endowment, legacies and donations with a specified purpose, from which the normal running costs of the Cathedral are deducted –amounted to £26,996 That might not sound particularly significant, in the context of overall income of £2m; but it sits in sharp contrast to last year’s equivalent figure of a £225,512 deficit Looking further back, the result for 2023 was a deficit of £116,809; in 2022, £147,190; and in 2021, when the pandemic was still having a severe impact on our activities, £350,617
So what has changed? It’s certainly not a fall in costs Our Giving to Grow assessment was raised from £135k to almost £160k. The annual cost of insuring the building and our activities within it rose to almost £150k; and our non-ministry salaries bill was £360k, up from £267k in 2024 In term of regular income, the generosity of the congregation has remained firm, almost matching the donations given in 2024 when we marked our 900th anniversary
The major uplift in income has come from Visitor donations. This time last year, we had just tentatively introduced the team known as ‘Welcomers’, who stand at the West Door and explain that it’s free to enter the Cathedral but that a donation would be gratefully received. That might, now, mean typically that one of a group of four tourists might donate £10 on behalf of the group The average donation for that hypothetical group is now £2.50 – which is a marked improvement on the average donation in 2024 of 31p! Overall, donations currently average about £1 per visitor, which has made a tremendous difference.
There is still a long way to go before St Giles’ finances are secure It’s the Kirk Session’s policy to hold a year’s worth of costs in free reserves – and with such geopolitical uncertainty and pandemic threats as we currently face, it’s hard for a Treasurer to sleep at night with only four months’ reserves to hand As we move to the next stage of charging an entry fee for tourists, a top priority will be to use any surplus to rebuild reserves to that all-important twelve-month level. For now, though? Thanks to the patience, generosity and hard work of a great many people, we’re holding steady.
Amanda Forsyth, Treasurer
Now in its 8th year, the Edinburgh Festival of the Sacred Arts runs from 16th to 22nd August 2026
The opening service will be held here in St Giles’ on Sunday 16th August at 11am, with Professor David Fergusson as guest preacher
The Festival celebrates the rich heritage of Christian-inspired creativity through music, visual art, poetry, performance, and architecture and also seeks to support and encourage contemporary involvement in the arts.
2026 has seen the third annual competition for young composers of sacred music The competition culminates in an event in Canongate Kirk on 17th August at which this year’s principal adjudicator, composer Cecilia McDowall will comment on the winning compositions, which will be performed by a professional vocal ensemble
Also at Canongate Kirk, on 19th August, the winning entries of the 2026 Scotland-wide Young Religious Poets Competition will be announced, and read along with poems by established poets and music from students from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.
Throughout the week an exhibition entitled ‘Bordering on the Sacred’ will be on display in the Undercroft of St Vincent’s Chapel, Stockbridge.
Under the theme of Exploring Sacred Space there are guided visits to sacred spaces in Edinburgh including St James (Scottish Episcopal) Church at Goldenacre, the historic Magdalen Chapel in the Cowgate and the Church of the Sacred Heart in Lauriston Street.
The varied recital programme includes the Mackintosh Choir singing the Tango Mass and a newly composed Magnificat by Au Arias; a programme entitled ‘Whatsoever You Do: Music for the Homeless Jesus’ by the Schola Cantorum of St Mary’s Catholic Cathedral ; a recital of Britten’s Baroque songs for tenor and piano and an evening celebrating the musical Wesleys.
At St Giles; on the evening of 20th August Sir James MacMillan will introduce his 1997 work ‘Ninian: a Concerto’ The work will be performed by Calum Robertson, clarinet, and Jack Oades, organ Uniquely for this performance, the original orchestral part has been transcribed for organ by Jack Oades
The Festival closes on Saturday 22nd August with a service of Vespers at Old Saint Paul's Scottish Episcopal Church
The full programme, and details of how to book tickets, can be found here: www edinburghsacredartsfestival org
Jean Ferris Memorial Concert
Remembering Jean Ferris, a highly respected and much loved member of our congregation, the Edinburgh Southside Choir gave a most enjoyable concert on 20th May Since Jean had been a member of several choirs, it was surely appropriate that she should be remembered in this way.
Throughout her long life, she devoted herself to the service of others, especially of those in need, through a number of voluntary organisations, among them the Edinburgh Clothing Store, the beneficiary of the retiring collection at the end of the concert
The Southside Choir, conductor Seonaid Lynn, accompanist Donald Thomson, gave a varied and well-balanced programme ranging from the traditional to the popular, much appreciated by the very large audience filling the entire east end to overflowing.
At the interval, Fiona Stimpson, the director of the Edinburgh Clothing Store, gave a talk on its work serving the needs of folk enduring deprivation: important to be reminded that there are so many more of them than we think
In the next issue, we shall be able to report the total contributed to this worthy cause
Spring Garden
The afternoon of Saturday 25th April was a golden one with a cloudless blue sky and a pleasant breeze: perfect conditions for Tony and Maureen Toft to open their magnificent garden.
There was a wonderful turn-out of visitors- 200 in the course of the three hours At all times, there was a pleasant sense of folk at their ease socialising in the beautiful surroundings, admiring the varying panoramas of lawns, borders, rockeries and shrubs Strategically placed sculptures surprise the eye in this garden and people lingered to appreciate them.
A magnificent silver birch is a focus at the end of one lawn, but so also is a stone trough of gentians and a wych-elm in full bloom. As always, the Toft tulips are peerless.
A great many members of St Giles’ congregation were present, as well as the Scotland’s Gardens devotees For everyone, it was a perfect setting for a memorable afternoon
Maureen and Tony Toft kindly nominated the St Giles’ Neighbourhood Group as their chosen charity £760 was a very pleasing dividend for the general fund of the Group To the Tofts, many thanks.
As we continue marking the National Year of Reading, we’re pleased to bring you the next instalment of our book feature, offering recommendations or reflection on books which have inspired or stayed with people in our community.
Easter Flowers
We thought it nice to capture not only some of the marvellous Easter flowers, but also some of those normally behind the scenes people who make the building so very joyful.
Membership
Weddings
"Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay." (Ruth 1:16)
Doris Carson and Steven Johnston, 9th May 2026.
Contact information
St Giles’ staff and office bearers can generally be reached by email on addresses in the style firstname lastname@stgilescathedral org uk or jobtitle@stgilescathedral org uk Some commonly needed addresses are:
Scott Rennie, Minister minister@stgilescathedral.org.uk
Sigrid Marten, Associate Minister SMarten@churchofscotland.org.uk
Jack Oades, Master of the Music jack.oades@stgilescathedral.org.uk
Sarah O’Connor, Head of Heritage & Culture sarah.oconnor@stgilescathedral.org.uk Beadles beadle@stgilescathedral.org.uk
Several members of the team also monitor the comms@stgilescathedral.org.uk address, which can be a good way to get a general question directed to the right person!
Useful telephone numbers:
The Cathedral Secretary
0131 225 4363
Beadles' Office 0131 226 0672
Finance Office
0131 225 8683
Heritage & Culture 0131 226 0674
Picture credits
We thank Peter Backhouse, Victor Ashton, Neil Gardner, Anne Maxwell, Sheana Ashton, and The Shasha Choral Project who have provided their photographic skills for several of the images
