Church Life
Church life at Edinburgh New Town Church is found in the many ways people come together, take part and share in the life of the community. Throughout the week and across the year, there are opportunities to connect, contribute and belong.
From groups and gatherings to music, culture, community and service, this is where the wider life of the church takes place. Some come regularly, others occasionally, but all are welcome to find their place within it.
Groups
& Gatherings
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The Undercroft Amnesty Group meets monthly on the last Monday of each month, from 12.15–1.00pm, to write letters campaigning for the release of prisoners of conscience.
The group meets in the Undercroft Café on George Street, where you are welcome to stay for soup, a hot dish, or simply coffee and cake. Alongside regular meetings, the group works with other local Amnesty groups on campaigns, exhibitions, fundraising events and occasional film nights.
All are welcome to come along, whether regularly or just to find out more.
Contact for more information -
The Book Group brings people together to explore the relationship between faith and daily life through shared reading and discussion.
Meeting regularly, the group offers a space for thoughtful conversation, reflection and learning from one another. Over time, strong friendships naturally develop as ideas are shared and perspectives deepen.
All are welcome to join, whether regularly or occasionally.
Contact for more information -
Creative Together is for anyone who enjoys making, crafting and creating, while supporting others through practical care.
The group produces a wide range of items for charities, including blankets, twiddle cushions for people living with dementia, hats for sailors and those experiencing homelessness, and trauma teddies and clothing for refugee children. Wherever possible, recycled materials are used, with additional funds raised through seasonal sales and events.
Alongside the making, there is a monthly coffee gathering to share ideas and enjoy time together.
All are welcome to take part, whatever their level of experience.
Contact for more information -
The Walking Group meets monthly, usually on the last Friday of the month, for walks organised by members of the group.
Routes are chosen to be accessible by public transport, helping to keep the group’s environmental impact low. Walks are relaxed and sociable, with a shared packed lunch along the way.
All are welcome to come along and enjoy time outdoors together. Everyone takes responsibility for themselves.
Contact for more information -
Sunday Conversation is a friendly and informal discussion held on Sunday mornings between 9.30 and 10.15 in the Undercroft Chapel.
Usually taking place on the second Sunday of the month, the group explores a range of topics, from Bible passages to current issues and wider questions of faith. The conversations are open, thoughtful and engaging, with space for listening, learning and differing perspectives.
All are welcome to join the conversation.
Contact for more information
Music, Arts
& Culture
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The Choir of Edinburgh New Town Church is a dedicated four-part choir made up of around fifteen volunteer singers alongside a small number of choral scholars.
Rehearsing weekly from September to June, the choir leads music at Sunday worship and at a number of special services throughout the year, including Advent and Epiphany carols, Lenten reflections and Christmas concerts. The choir also performs publicly, including concerts during the Edinburgh Festival.
The choir is led by our Director of Music, Ian Munro.
All are welcome to enquire about joining, whether as a volunteer singer or choral scholar.
See Church Music for more information -
Our peal of eight bells, installed in 1788 and the oldest in Scotland hung for full-circle change ringing, are an important part of the church’s life and sound.
The bells are rung each week after Sunday service, as well as for special events and occasions. A team of ringers of all ages meets regularly on Monday evenings for practice, and both visiting ringers and those new to bellringing are warmly welcomed.
All are welcome to learn or take part.
See Church Music for more information -
A regular programme of lunchtime concerts brings a wide range of musicians into the church, creating opportunities to enjoy live performance in an exceptional setting.
Organised by our Director of Music, these concerts feature visiting performers as well as local talent, offering music across a range of styles and traditions.
All are welcome to attend.
Contact for more information or vist our What’s On page
Community
& Charity
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Fresh Start is an Edinburgh charity supporting people who have recently moved out of homelessness and into a new tenancy.
On the first Sunday of each month, members of the congregation are invited to bring long-lasting food items and household essentials. These are taken to the Fresh Start warehouse, where volunteers assemble Starter Packs to help people settle into their new homes with dignity and stability.
All are welcome to contribute in this simple and practical way.
Contact for more information -
Getting started is simple. Reach out through our contact form. Members of the congregation support the work of Bethany Christian Trust by preparing and serving evening meals at the Rapid Re-accommodation Welcome Centre during the winter months.
A small team comes together several times each year to cook and serve a two-course meal for around 50 guests. Using fresh ingredients, the preparation is hands-on and generous, with a focus on offering warmth, care and hospitality.
All are welcome to be part of the team.
Contact for more information -
Edinburgh New Town Church has a long-standing connection with Christian Aid, supporting its work through fundraising, awareness and participation in key events.
This includes the well-known annual book sale, as well as other activities that help raise funds and support Christian Aid’s work addressing poverty and injustice around the world.
All are welcome to take part or support this work.
Contact for more information -
Edinburgh New Town Church has strong and longstanding links with Mulanje Mission Hospital in Malawi.
Over many years, members of the congregation have supported the work of the hospital through visits, fundraising and practical support. This has included contributions to healthcare provision, education and infrastructure, as well as ongoing relationships with staff and the wider community.
This partnership reflects a shared commitment to care, connection and global responsibility.
All are welcome to find out more or support this work.
Contact for more information
Festival
& Exhibitions
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Each year, Edinburgh New Town Church becomes a well-established venue within the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, hosting a wide-ranging programme of performances.
With a strong focus on music, the programme brings together performers from across the world, presenting classical and popular music, jazz, Scottish music, opera and more. The building’s distinctive shape and acoustics create a setting that many performers and audiences return to year after year.
The festival is supported by a dedicated team of volunteers who help welcome audiences, manage performances and support the running of events.
All are welcome to attend or take part.
Contact for more information -
The Undercroft Café regularly hosts a changing programme of exhibitions, showcasing work from local artists, photographers and wider creative projects.
Exhibitions have included a wide range of work, from contemporary pieces to international projects, offering a varied and accessible way to engage with art in an informal setting.
If you are interested in exhibiting your work, you are welcome to get in touch.
All are welcome to visit and explore.
Contact for more information
Giving
YourTime
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The Undercroft Café is supported by a team of volunteers known as Crofters, who play a central role in creating its warm and welcoming atmosphere.
Working alongside a professional catering team, Crofters help with preparing and serving food, welcoming guests and keeping the café running day to day. It is a practical and social way to be part of the life of the church, with time for conversation, teamwork and connection.
Whether you can offer time regularly or occasionally, new volunteers are always welcome.
All are welcome to find out more and take part.
Contact for more information -
Welcomers offer a friendly and reassuring presence at the doors of Edinburgh New Town Church, helping people feel at ease as they arrive.
Whether greeting those attending worship, events or simply visiting, the role is about offering a warm welcome, helping with directions and creating a sense that all are received and included.
It is a simple but important way to support the life of the church and its openness to the wider city.
All are welcome to find out more and take part.
Contact for more information