Outreach Events September to December 2026
Thursday 17th September at 7pm - (date to be confirmed)
Community Conversations - The Anxious Generation
We continue our topical conversation series with a discussion on how today’s technology- and social media-focused society affects children’s mental health.
There will be a presentation with an opportunity to ask questions too. If you are concerned about this issue and want to know more, please come along.
This is open to members of the church and the wider community and is free of charge.
Saturday 3rd October: Music @ St. Columba’s –
The Bristo Community Concert Band
Please join us in the sanctuary at 7pm to enjoy this fantastic local community band, established in 2014, which enjoys playing and performing a wide range of music. There are no tickets needed for this event but donations for the band and towards the refreshments will be gratefully received.
Sunday 11th October: Harvest Lunch
This will follow the Harvest Service and take place in the large hall. It will be a wonderful way to share what the Lord has provided with friends old and new.
Further details will follow later.
Friday 30th October to Sunday 1st November:
Festival of Flowers
Blackhall St Columba’s Church will host a Festival of Flowers in support of the ‘Tour de 4’ cycle event, the brainchild of Sir Chris Hoy, which was set up following his diagnosis with Stage 4 cancer in 2023. Proceeds from the Festival will be distributed among five cancer charities nominated by the ‘Tour de 4’: Prostate Cancer UK, Breast Cancer Now, Maggie’s, Cure Leukaemia and Macmillan Cancer Support.
Entry is free but donations would be appreciated.
Saturday 28th November: WATCH Committee Christmas Fair
from 2-4pm The annual Christmas Fair will take place once again in the church buildings with all the favourite stalls like the book stall and the home baking stall along with the popular goodie baskets and the tearoom etc. Come along and support our marvellous committee which is raising funds this year for Parkinson’s Disease UK. Please refer to the church website for more details nearer the time.
Sunday 6th December: Movies @ St Columba’s
Join us at 6.30pm for a modern classic Christmas movie, ‘Elf’ (PG). This feel- good movie is a family favourite and stars Will Ferrell as Buddy the Elf, a human raised by Santa’s elves. Please feel free to dress (up) as you wish. We defy you not to leave smiling and with a spring in your step.
Seasonal refreshments will be served. There is no charge but donations to cover costs will be gratefully received.
Thursday 17th and Friday 18th December: Nativity
(further details to be confirmed nearer the time)
This year our ‘Nativity’ is going to look a little different. We will be staging aperformance called ‘It was on a Starry Night’ in the sanctuary each evening at 5.30pm. As well as our joyful, musical performance of ‘the greatest story ever told’, there will an escape room for children aged 8 upwards, a tearoom and our wonderful biennial Christmas Tree Festival. What a fantastic way to help us all prepare for the big day itself!
Outreach Events May-August 2026
Saturday 16th May at 7pm: Music @ Blackhall St Columba’s – St David’s Brass Band
We always enjoy having the band leading one of our services during Advent but it does restrict them somewhat to Christmas music and fairly gentle stuff at that. This is an opportunity for them to give us a full concert and show some of the breadth and depth of the musical talent they have. There will be a wide range of classical as well as jazz and brass music to enjoy so this will be a great evening out. Refreshments will be served. As always, there is no charge for tickets but donations for the work of the band will be much appreciated.
Saturday 23rd May at 7pm: Dessert Island Discs
Please join us in the sanctuary at 7pm to be whisked away to a desert island to meet with our latest shipwrecked adventurer who will share their choice of music and chat about their life. This will be followed by the sharing of some delicious, sweet treats and a time of fellowship. Tickets are not required and there will be no charge for this event. Donations to church funds will be gratefully received.
Saturday 6th June: Blackhall Sports Day
This annual event takes place in Ravelston Park from 12-4.30pm and we, as a church. take a stall to engage with the local community. Anyone who is available and willing to help with this should contact Shona Cook on 07981 970054.
Sunday 14th June (straight after the morning service): Church Picnic
Let’s celebrate summer together this year with a picnic at Ravelston Park, Craigcrook Road (at the nursery end). Please bring your own deckchairs, rugs etc and a picnic. We hope to have games for all ages too. In the event that the weather is not favourable, we will have our picnic in the church hall.
Wednesday 15th or 22nd July (TBC): Trip to Rosslyn Chapel
We are planning a pilgrimage/trip to Rosslyn Chapel in July. The exact date is to be confirmed but the plan is to arrive for the 10.30am guided tour which should finish by 12 noon. We will have our lunch and then attend the 1pm worship service before returning home. Tickets would be £12 (adult) and £10 (concessions). Once we know how many people would like to come along, we can try to organise car sharing. If you are interested in this event, please contact Shona Cook on 07981 970054 as soon as possible and no later than 31st May 2026.