st giles` cathedral the high kirk of edinburgh parish profile

ST GILES’ CATHEDRAL
THE HIGH KIRK OF EDINBURGH
PARISH PROFILE
JANUARY 2014
Scottish Charity Number SC003565
St Giles’ Cathedral: The High Kirk of Edinburgh
A brief introduction
St Giles‟ is the historic town church of the city of Edinburgh. Christian worship has been offered on
the site of St Giles‟ for at least 900 years and the church holds a unique position in the development of
Christianity in Scotland. The colourful history of St Giles‟ includes aspects of catholic and reformed
styles of worship and governance, reflecting different stages of the church‟s life over the centuries –
as Cathedral, as High Kirk of the town and now as a city centre church with a gathered congregation,
and a unique role to play in the life of the city and the nation.
St Giles‟ is often regarded as the “mother church of Presbyterianism”. In keeping with successive
editions of the Church of Scotland Book of Common Order, its worship is both catholic and reformed,
with resonance for Christian people of many different denominations. The liturgy employed in
worship at St Giles‟ is widely valued not only by regular worshippers but by many from all over the
world, of different faiths and none. The people of St Giles‟ hold especially dear:Broad theological thinking within a traditional catholic or universal liturgy
Challenging and thought-provoking preaching
A tradition of Holy Communion celebrated every Sunday as well as during the week
A rich tradition of inspiring music from across the centuries
A worshipping environment which encourages all to feel at home, irrespective of belief
The number and variety of services which take place every week
An openness to all, every day of the year
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A beautiful and historic church building
The church‟s central and valued role in the life of the city and the nation
A concern for world issues and a commitment to ecumenism
The people of St Giles’
St Giles‟ is a gathered city centre congregation.
The parish boundary marks out a small area of the city centre, roughly from the Grassmarket and the
Cowgate in the south, to the platforms of Waverley railway station in the north, and from Castlehill in
the west to the Netherbow in the east. Within that small square boundary are 918 households and a
population of 1,856 (Presbytery of Edinburgh figures).
The congregational roll on the other hand contains around 500 members, almost all of whom live
outwith the parish boundary, but who come to St Giles‟ to participate in its life and worship for many
and varied reasons. Nevertheless, the congregational roll does not provide a strong indicator of the
composition of the congregation on any given Sunday. Members sit alongside many other regular
worshippers, students, tourists and regular and occasional visitors.
The people of St Giles‟ also include more than the worshipping community. Around 900,000 people
come into St Giles‟ every year, many of whom come as tourists, but all of whom are free to
experience as much or as little as they wish. All are welcomed by a team of over 100 volunteer guides
– many of whom have no other active connection with St Giles‟, but all of whom are committed to
promoting its life and history.
The average age of the congregation is increasingly high. We see it as a challenge for the future to
engage more fully with people of all ages. There is a large student population in our city, who have
occasionally become involved; their participation in the past has depended largely on the efforts of
different assistant ministers. Though there are few young families currently on the roll, children are
always welcome to participate in our acts of worship. Not least because of lack of suitable space,
however, it has so far been difficult to provide crèche or Sunday school facilities. It will be a physical
and practical challenge to find ways to involve children and young people more in the life of our
church, but we are open to fresh and imaginative ideas.
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Worship
At the heart of the worship of God at St Giles‟ is the value attached to thought-provoking prayer and
challenging preaching, within the context of a broad theological outlook, and grounded in a traditional
catholic or universal liturgy. Services are greatly enhanced by a strong tradition of high quality,
inspiring music as part of two of the Sunday morning services. A distinctive element of worship at St
Giles‟ is the custom of celebrating Communion with the people gathering in a circle around the Holy
Table.
Every week at St Giles‟ there are twelve acts of worship:On Sundays
8am – a service of Holy Communion with short sermon, but without music.
10am – Holy Communion service, with sermon, congregational hymns and choir. The choir
usually sings the Kyrie, Gloria in excelsis and Agnus Dei from a wide range of settings.
11.30am – morning service, with sermon, congregational hymns and choir.
8pm – an evening service, with sermon and congregational hymns. This service is the most
flexible in terms of style and in congregational participation. Holy Communion is celebrated
on the last Sunday of every month.
On Weekdays
8am, Wednesday and Friday – a short service of Holy Communion, normally said in one of
the smaller side-chapels.
12 noon, Monday to Saturday – the Daily Service: a short time of readings, reflection and
prayer, for all who may be in St Giles‟ at that time.
Holy Week, 8pm Monday to Friday – evening service with choir.
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Specific services
In addition to these regular acts of worship, services for specific organisations or events, some of
which are of civic or national importance, take place at St Giles‟ on Sundays and on weekdays. These
currently include, amongst others: Kirkings of the City of Edinburgh Council and the Scottish
Parliament, academic services, special services for the Edinburgh International Festival and the
General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, Remembrance Day observances, St Andrewstide, major
commemorations and celebrations, and Installations of Knights of the Order of the Thistle.
Her Majesty The Queen, other members of the Royal Family and distinguished dignitaries are
received and participate at a number of special services.
Ministers
We are fortunate to have a part time assistant minister. A number of retired ministers also provide
support on a monthly rota. There is additional support from postgraduate ministers or divinity students
on long or short term placements with St Giles‟. We are delighted to welcome many visiting preachers
from home and abroad.
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Stewards
A team of around 120 volunteer stewards, drawn from the congregation and serving on a six weekly
rota, help to ensure that Sunday services run smoothly.
Cathedral Choir
Worship is greatly enhanced and enriched by the Cathedral Choir, providing a strong tradition of high
quality, inspiring music. As well as singing at two morning services every Sunday, the choir also
sings at many other services during the year, including Holy Week and Watchnight services. In
addition to its liturgical duties, the choir also gives a number of concerts in St Giles‟ each year, and
has toured across Europe, the USA and Canada.
Other music
In our weekly „St Giles‟ at Six‟ Sunday evening concert series, we provide a platform for a wide
variety of performers, both from the local community and further afield. These concerts are free of
charge, and have a large and loyal following. In addition to this, there are many informal concerts
hosting choirs and other performers from around the world, and the world famous Rieger organ of
1992 features in organ recitals throughout the year. Invaluable support for the musical activities of St
Giles‟, including occasional new commissions, is provided by The Friends of the Music of St Giles‟
Cathedral, a registered charity founded in 2007.
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Music roles
Organist and Master of the Music – the Organist and Master of the Music is responsible for the
oversight of all musical activity within St Giles‟. The main part of his role is in the training and
direction of the Cathedral Choir. The post is currently linked to a lectureship in music at Edinburgh
Napier University, with 50% of time ascribed to each role.
Assistant Organist – the Assistant Organist‟s role is to accompany the Cathedral Choir and play the
organ for Sunday services. He also deputises for the Master of the Music.
Organ Scholar – The Herrick Bunney Organ Scholarship has been established using funds raised
during the St Giles‟ Appeal (part of the fundraising efforts for the restoration and renewal of the
Cathedral). The role is a training one, and the Organ Scholar deputises for the Assistant Organist in
his absence, and plays at the Sunday 8pm service on a regular basis.
Church organisation and activities
St Giles‟ has a unitary constitution (quoad omnia). The Kirk Session currently comprises 35 elders
and operates through committees. The congregation is divided into seven districts, each of which is
the responsibility of a group of elders under a district convener. The organisation of annual social
events within each district helps to create a sense of community amongst our gathered congregation.
There is nominally also an eighth district, without any elders, which comprises those who have moved
away from Edinburgh, but who wish to remain on the congregational roll.
Community
The Neighbourhood Group was established in 2006, involving a small band of members who have a
keen interest in supporting less fortunate people in the city, especially those who are homeless. The
Group tries to serve both practically and financially by becoming actively involved in raising money,
supplying goods and immediate support, through charity concerts, can collections, Advent coffee
mornings, Lenten lunches, and support for Homelessness Sunday. Additionally, the Group provides a
„Night Kitchen‟ team for Bethany Trust on a number of occasions each winter, working from a
designated church hall in another parish, and funding and providing an evening meal, breakfast and a
night‟s lodging for homeless people.
The Group‟s members and others are also actively involved with Christian Aid, The Grassmarket
Mission, 6 Victoria Terrace, the Rock Trust, Streetwork and the Grassmarket Community Project.
They give support to Fresh Start. Two of the members help run the Edinburgh Clothing Store and the
Group tries to offer financial assistance to this worthy venture. Annual can collections are held in aid
of Cunningham House and the Cranston Street hostel and, since 2006, the Group has tried in practical
ways to befriend Cunningham House.
The Poor of the Parish Fund, which is a restricted fund managed by the Kirk Session, supplies funds
for the Neighbourhood Group to distribute to local organisations.
Education
Occasional bible study meetings, Lenten discussion groups and book groups are held. One of several
future challenges is to explore more fully how best this work can be developed.
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Communication
The Cathedral website (www.stgilescathedral.org.uk) gives information on worship and music,
visiting St Giles‟, the building and its history, and life at St Giles‟.
A booklet listing the names and addresses of all the members of the congregation is periodically
updated and sent to all those on the roll. Lists of the stewarding teams and their leaders are also kept
up to date and sent to all those involved.
The Visitor Services Manager and her assistant and team of volunteers play a vital role in keeping the
visiting public informed of all aspects of the building and its history.
The people of St Giles‟ are not always fully aware of the extent of activity which is carried out by
elders, the Neighbourhood Group or by others within the life of our church. We consider better and
more effective communication to be a key desire for the future and one which we believe, if done
properly, can and will engender a greater sense of community for all the people of St Giles‟, as well as
increasing opportunities for participation and social contact. This could include, but might not be
limited to, a more effective use of our website, social media and our occasional parish magazine.
Buildings and amenities
The church building
St Giles‟ Cathedral is a large cross-church, with many mediaeval and modern additions and
alterations, and a central tower capped by an open crown which forms a distinctive feature on the
skyline of the city. Major restoration of the church building was undertaken in the 19th century and in
1911 the Thistle Chapel was built as a chapel for the Order of the Thistle. Further restoration works
have been carried out in the late 20th and early 21st centuries and are now substantially complete. The
church contains many important artefacts of national and international importance, including stained
glass windows (the window after Burne-Jones and the Robert Burns memorial window are just two
examples) and nearly 100 memorials commemorating many famous Scots and Scottish soldiers.
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The sanctuary is located at the crossing, under the central tower, and the congregation normally
occupies the nave and the chancel (known colloquially and respectively as “the West End” and “the
East End”). Smaller chapels of varying shapes and sizes occupy the periphery. Some of these are
devoted to silent prayer and the lighting of candles, others are used for evening services or for
weekday celebrations of the Sacrament.
In addition, the church houses a number of functioning office spaces which are key to maintaining the
life of the building and the congregation, including offices for the minister and assistant ministers, an
office for the Visitor Services Manager and her assistant, which also serves as a room for the
preparation of the elements for Holy Communion, for the counting and banking of weekly offerings,
and as a base and cloakroom for Sunday stewards. There is a further room for use by the beadles.
The church also houses the Cathedral shop which is run by a full time manager supported by both
paid staff and volunteers and which sells a wide range of books, souvenirs and music. The Lower
Aisle of the church is home to the Cathedral Café and the music library and is also the place where the
Cathedral Choir gathers in preparation for services.
Despite the many uses which are made of the Cathedral building, space is still scarce. We recognise
that there is much that cannot readily be done at St Giles‟ without additional space. This has been a
problem for us for some years. We are always on the lookout for solutions but we fear this issue will
continue to challenge us into the future.
Renewal and restoration
Over the last several decades, St Giles‟ has undergone a large project of renewal and restoration,
funded by the St Giles‟ Renewal Appeal and including support from Heritage Lottery Fund and
Historic Scotland. The renewal and restoration project has given us the Lower Aisle space under the
church, a magnificent Rieger organ, a wind and water-tight building, a central sanctuary, disabled
access, new office space within the church, improved modern lighting, cleaned and repaired windows
and cleaned and refreshed stonework. Most of the renewal has now been completed with only more
minor works still to be undertaken. The church building is in better shape than it has ever been.
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Manse and flat
The present manse is located in the New Town of Edinburgh and is a large Georgian terraced
townhouse, within which there is a separate basement flat also owned by St Giles‟. In addition to the
manse, there is a small flat in the Old Town which is presently occupied by an ordained minister
studying for a PhD at New College, who also serves as a part time additional assistant minister.
Cathedral staff and finances
Staff
Apart from the ministers, the salaried staff of the Cathedral consists of a team of 15 people focused on
daily life and worship at St Giles‟. They include the Master of the Music and the Assistant Organist
(mentioned above), a full time minister‟s secretary, two part time staff at the Cathedral Finance Office
(located in Signet Library), a full time Visitor Services Manager plus full time assistant, a full time
shop manager and four other members of shop staff, and a full time head beadle, assisted by two
further beadles: one full time and one part time. The staff of the Cathedral Café is separately provided
by catering managers under a franchise arrangement.
Finances
The finances of St Giles‟ Cathedral (“St Giles‟”) are complex as they incorporate three separate
entities: St Giles‟ Cathedral, St Giles‟ Renewal Appeal Trust (a separate charity) and St Giles‟
Luckenbooths Limited (a wholly owned trading subsidiary). This brief description only applies to St
Giles‟.
Income comes principally from offerings, visitors and investment income. Around 60% of our
expenditure goes towards payments to central funds, salary costs for our full-time and part-time staff
and insurance. Total funds on hand at the end of last year amounted to £4.7m of which unrestricted
funds amounted to £2.7m. Liquid funds available for general use were £0.4m representing about six
months‟ expenditure.
Although St Giles‟ is among the most visited tourist venues in Scotland, attracting more than 900,000
people each year, we are still unable to meet our annual financial commitments without dipping into
our reserves and so there is a pressing need for the future to resolve this situation by increasing
income and controlling costs.
Future challenges
The congregation is conscious of starting a new chapter in the long history of St Giles‟ and, excited by
this prospect, is open to challenge and change. Like many other churches, we face the problems which
come with an ageing congregation, a diminishing roll and increasing costs, but we also have the
privilege of receiving so many worshippers and visitors from around the world. We see great potential
in enhancing the unique position of St Giles‟ in order to continue to minister to the city and beyond, to
forge links with other churches and to promote Christian unity.
As well as maintaining those things which we hold dear as set out on pages 2-3, some of the tasks
which we particularly wish to tackle as we enter this next chapter in the history of St Giles‟ include:enhancing how we provide worship and facilities for children and young people;
building on our programme of education for the congregation and visitors;
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developing better means of communication with and amongst the congregation, and with the
wider community;
promoting participation by the people of St Giles‟ in the work of the church in the
community.
Our next minister
The role of minister of St Giles‟ is multi-faceted and demanding. St Giles‟ seeks a minister who will
help us rise to the future challenges which we have set out above and who will:promote the Gospel by building upon St Giles‟ traditions of liturgy, preaching, Sacrament and
music;
facilitate a Christian witness and welcome to all, wherever they may have come from;
provide imaginative and innovative leadership: for the congregation, for everyone who works
in St Giles‟, and for all who are associated with the activities of the church during the week,
whether as employees, volunteers or visitors; and
maintain and encourage the strong connections we already have with civic and national
organisations.
How to contact us and apply
If you have any questions about St Giles‟, or if you are considering applying for the position of
minister of St Giles‟, please contact us. Applications should be sent by Friday 11th April 2014
comprising (a) a curriculum vitae and (b) a personal statement.
Applications should be sent to:The Clerk to the Nominating Committee
Kay Hamilton, St Giles' Cathedral, Edinburgh EH1 1RE
km.hamilton@icloud.com
Informal queries may be made in confidence to:The Interim Moderator
The Reverend Brian Hilsley, 35 Lomond Road, Edinburgh EH5 3JN, 0131 552 3328
minister@wardie.org.uk
St Giles’ wishes to acknowledge grateful thanks to Peter Backhouse
for permission to use the images which appear in this Parish Profile.
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