Bethany Night Shelter Catering Team
The Bethany Night Shelter runs from September to May and provides a warm, safe and secure overnight place to sleep for those who would otherwise be rough sleeping. Catering Teams from churches across the city provide, prepare and serve hot nutritious meals and hot and cold drinks.
Our volunteers, in teams of 6/8, currently cater on 5 nights of the session and on these nights are on duty from 7.00pm to 11.00pm.
Contact Person: Rab Burnett
Bereavement Support Group
The group aim is to give personal or family support to those who have recently lost a loved one. Help is also provided, if required, in the arrangements for the funeral service. The group make and send cards twice a year to recently bereaved families and arrange a special service in November, inviting family members of those who have died within the past year. Some members of the group are willing to visit bereaved families when it is appropriate to do so.
Contact Person: Moira Reid
Eco Congregation
Eco-Congregation is an ecumenical programme helping churches make the link between environmental issues and Christian faith, and respond in practical action in the church, in the lives of individuals, and in the local and global community. The parish is a registered Eco Congregation and makes conscious attempts to look after its local environment in all its services and actions.
Contact Person: Rab Burnett
Gardening Group
The Garden Project is restoring the back garden to make it a peaceful and pleasant place for parishioners. The group hopes to grow flowers for use in church (to cut down on flower miles) and possibly to have a wildlife section at the bottom end of the garden. There are plans for artwork by St Ninian’s pupils. The aim is to link with Pope Francis’ annual Creation Time liturgy in September and with the parish’s Eco-congregation status. The group meets from 10am on Wednesday mornings and all are welcome.
Contact Person: Cath Norman
Men’s Group
This group is open to all men in the parish and the surrounding area. It meets once per month for a mixture of social purposes, discussions, outside visits and visiting speakers.
Contact Person: Des Brogan
One World Group
Formed in 1976, this group was one of the first of such type in the diocese. The Group meets every second Monday in the Hall. Its aim is to raise awareness in the parish to situations of injustice and poverty at home and abroad. Group members are involved in campaigning to relieve such situations of injustice as well as raising funds to support projects both at home and overseas. The success of the group comes from the commitment and enthusiasm of its members coupled with the support and generosity of parishioners and friends.
Contact Person: Carol Mulvenna
Open Door
This group provides soup, sandwiches, chat and friendly company. It meets every Friday in the Hall from 12.30pm – 2pm and is open to parishioners and friends in the local community. Families especially welcome.
Contact Person: Moira Reid
Over 60’s
This is one of the liveliest and best-attended groups in the parish and has been running for around 30 years. The self-supporting group meets every Monday, starting with a cup of tea/coffee served around 1.20 pm with eats supplied by the members at set tables. Currently, there is a membership of 38 who sit at six tables, and new members are allocated to a table. There are a range of bus trips buses and outings for meal eg Ravelston House Hotel and the Leith Dockers Club.
The afternoon is enjoyed by all and for some people, it is their only day out in the week. It is first and foremost a social occasion but the group also collect and support the parish over the whole year, through their weekly subs, and fundraising events.
Contact Person: John McDowall
St Vincent De Paul
The St Vincent De Paul Society is a prayerful organisation whose main aim is to give assistance to needy families or single people in the community. It provides both financial and spiritual help. Where there is a need, SVDP members will provide person to person contact whether at home or in hospital.
St Andrew’s & Edinburgh SVDP Group own and maintain 5 caravans, 4 at Port Seton and 1 at Kinghorn. St Ninian’s contribute financially to this project each year and often send a needy family for a one-week holiday. Transport to and from the caravan site is provided by our members.
At Christmas SVDP St Ninian’s gives financial help towards the provision of food hampers to many needy families in the more depressed areas of Edinburgh. Donations are given to several organisations including St Catharine’s and St Margaret’s Lunch clubs.
Contact Person: Jean Callaghan (President)
Thursday Club
The Thursday Club is a group of people with and without learning difficulties who meet to socialise with their friends. They meet every Thursday evening from 7pm till 9pm in the Church Hall. Members pay a small fee (50p unwaged or £1.00 Waged) to help with running costs. Club nights are relaxed with a choice of activities and plenty of time to catch up over a cup of tea. Every evening ends with circle time where songs are sung and everyone has the opportunity to share news or offer a prayer.
Contact Person: Irene Ewing
