The Local Church
Our Local Ecumenical Partnership
Origins
The LEP has come from many years of engaging with St Columba’s, particularly on peace and justice issues, and Greyfriars on local social concerns. Recently members of the LEP have conducted annual pilgrimages to Lindisfarne, Inchcolm and Inchmaholm. Together we are exploring how to develop our role in the centre of the Old Town of Edinburgh particularly with respect to the homeless and underprivileged.
Activities of the LEP
We share four united services a year. The liturgy of the host congregation is normally followed, with communion led by all clergy and happily shared with and by all. It is agreed in the constitution that all Ministers of the LEP are licensed to conduct communion services (the Bishop of Edinburgh licenses the Ministers of AUC and Greyfriars to conduct communion at St Columba’s by the Castle). The programme for Holy week services and other activities are organised as a joint event. We have shared Lent Bible studies and other activities. We jointly participate in activities and support individual Churches’ initiatives. For example AUC members participate in provision of Greyfriars Parish meals. The LEP has upheld a high degree of mutual Ministerial support. We share social events. The LEP is organised through a steering committee comprising Ministers/rector and two congregational representatives from each Church.
THE COVENANT OF THE LOCAL ECUMENICAL PARTNERSHIP
We are united in Christian faith. We believe in one God in whose love we pray, celebrate and worship together.
We are all special. We rejoice in our individual strengths and seek to learn positively from our respective traditions.
Focusing on the love which binds us together, we pledge to continue to develop our worship, study and work together.
We serve the same community and encounter the same problems. We commit ourselves to working together to establish a united and positive Christian presence in the centre of Edinburgh. We will respond to the challenges of the future with determination.
We look forward, with enthusiasm, to this journey together. We pray that others will join us in this vision. We will praise God, our guide, in all our life's work together.
May God grant us grace, Jesus Christ insight and the Holy Spirit strength to grow in this shared covenant. Amen
Hire a room
AUC has a number of rooms available for rent on a sessional basis, morning, after-noon or evening.
What's on
Find out what events and activities are taking place over the coming weeks.