THE people who gather in this church are active in building a society rooted in God’s justice and compassion. Some spend hours each week volunteering to support people in crisis. Others work on the front line of projects campaigning for justice. Some offer professional expertise: providing legal advice, designing community spaces, or teaching new skills to those seeking a fresh start. Others campaign for environmental conservation and human rights, beautify public spaces, organise cultural events, or bring hope through music and the arts. Members of the congregation of St Michael and All Saints are engaged in some of the most significant and meaningful work there is.
In Scripture and the Church’s tradition, Christians are called to ‘build the kingdom’—not as an optional side project, but as part of daily discipleship. Why? Because God calls Christians to work for a world that better reflects God’s goodness: a world where love overcomes hatred, justice remedies injustice, and compassion offers hope. This mission is the calling of every Christian and the heartbeat of Christian life.
St Michael and All Saints is a place where people gather to be renewed for this work. Through worship, prayer, and community, it offers strength and sustenance to those who live out their faith through service. It is a spiritual ‘filling station,’ where connections are made, burdens are shared, and the vision of God’s kingdom is brought to life.
EACH year, the Vestry (Board of Trustees) selects specific charities to support. Through collections, events, and other initiatives, the church raises awareness and funds for these causes. From supporting medical projects in under-resourced regions of the world to funding education projects, these efforts allow the congregation to collaborate in making a tangible impact locally and globally.
ST Michael and All Saints supports St Salvador’s Community Food Initiative, a non-referral food pantry located in Stenhouse, Edinburgh, which provides essential assistance to individuals experiencing financial hardship. Food donations are collected on a table at the back of the church, and volunteers coordinate the delivery of items to the pantry.
This partnership reflects the congregation’s commitment to meeting immediate needs in the community and offering hope through practical acts of service.
AMIDST the bustle of Tollcross, the church’s garden provides a place of peace, reflection, and welcome. Open to all, it is a quiet sanctuary, whether for rest, contemplation, or simply a moment of stillness. Distinct from the open expanse of the nearby Meadows, its enclosed setting offers a sheltered refuge in the heart of the city. Volunteers from the church and local community care for the space, ensuring it remains inviting and well maintained. The garden provides a meaningful connection with the surrounding neighbourhood—an expression of hospitality in a busy world.
ST Michael and All Saints values its relationships with other churches in Tollcross and beyond, sharing resources and working together where possible. These partnerships take many forms, including liturgical celebrations, pastoral care, learning, and community engagement. Through them, a wider sense of Christian witness is fostered, strengthening mutual support and deepening the church’s presence in the city.
Priests from St Michael and All Saints are often out and about in Tollcross, engaging with local residents, businesses, and community groups. These relationships build connections, offer support where needed, and ensure the church remains an active part of the life of the neighbourhood.
IF you are looking for ways to put your faith into action, Edinburgh offers an abundance of volunteering opportunities. Here are some resources to help you find roles that match your interests and availability:
Volunteer Edinburgh → A comprehensive platform for connecting people with local volunteering roles, searchable by interest, location, and time commitment.
Edinburgh Voluntary Organisations’ Council → Highlights opportunities through its network of charities and voluntary groups.
Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations → Offers a dedicated volunteering section to help find opportunities across Scotland, including Edinburgh.
ANOTHER great way to find volunteering opportunities is by speaking with other members of the congregation. Hearing firsthand about their experiences can help you understand what’s involved and connect you with like-minded partners in service.
Sunday • 10:30 High Mass
A service with choral music, organ, incense, bells, and elaborate ritual Read more →
Wednesday • 11:00 Low Mass (Lady Chapel)
First Saturday of each month • 12:30 Rosary Mass
ST Michael and All Saints invites you to mark some of the most significant moments of the liturgical year with special services featuring glorious music from one of the finest choirs in the city, vibrant Anglo-Catholic liturgy, and preaching that speaks to the heart. These services are true highlights of the calendar, offering excellent opportunities for reflection and celebration. Whether you’re a frequent attendee or joining for a special occasion, these events are sure to inspire.
Take time to reflect this Lent through an evening of readings and music that showcases the qualities of this soul-searching season. It’s an invitation to pause, listen, and be still.
One of the most dramatic and moving evenings of the year, Maundy Thursday takes you from the intimacy of the Last Supper to the stark moment of abandonment. As the story unfolds, the powerful liturgy, accompanied by exquisite music, will draw you into a profound and unforgettable experience.
In a fast-paced world, this Three-Hour Vigil invites you to slow down. Experience the day’s depth through powerful readings, thought-provoking preaching, moving music, and moments of silence for reflection.
Celebrate new beginnings. Just when the sun has vanished, a sacred mystery unfolds: a light shines in darkness. This uplifting tradition brings hope and celebrates the joy of resurrection.
Mark the moment when a wind of change swept through the world, igniting the Christian movement. This celebration of Pentecost embraces new possibilities with fiery music. Afterwards, enjoy a reception in the Cloisters Bar next door.
A concert within the Octave of Corpus Christi celebrates devotion to the Blessed Sacrament through music. Experience moving settings of devotional texts alongside stirring organ compositions. This journey through themes of faith offers profound contemplation of the sacred mysteries.
Celebrate Marian devotion in the inimitable Anglo-Catholic tradition, featuring flower petals, processions, and the grandest of grand choral music. The concluding service of Edinburgh’s Festival of the Sacred Arts offers a moment to be inspired.
Embrace the beauty of Catholic ritual, no matter your tradition. Slip on some proverbial lace for the occasion and join a fabulous Come-and-Sing event. A full choir rehearsal precedes the service. Sign up online to participate.
Enter the season of Advent through a dramatic and awe-inspiring service, filled with candlelight, stirring choral music, and readings, drawing all who attend into a profound sense of waiting and wonder.
Celebrate the Christmas story through the beloved Service of Nine Lessons and Carols. Scripture readings and carols recount the journey from creation to the birth of Christ. The service, accompanied by exceptional choral music, offers a moment of reflection, joy, and a deep connection to the true meaning of Christmas.
Listen to recent sermons and reflections.
‘A Reasonable Temptation’ • Sermon preached by the Revd Oliver Brewer-Lennon on the 1st Sunday of Lent (Luke 4:1-13)
‘More than great television’ • Sermon preached by the Revd Oliver Brewer-Lennon on Ash Wednesday (Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21)
‘The Beatitudes aren’t reassuring’ • Sermon preached by the Revd Oliver Brewer-Lennon on the 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Luke 6:17-26)
‘Presbyopia’ • Sermon preached by the Revd Oliver Brewer-Lennon on the Presentation of the Lord (Luke 2.22-40)
‘Whose story is it?’ • Sermon preached by the Revd Oliver Brewer-Lennon on the 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time (Luke 4.14-21)
‘How to be a holy family’ • Sermon preached by the Revd Oliver Brewer-Lennon on the Feast of the Holy Family (Luke 2:41-52)
‘Christmas Clickbait’ • Sermon preached by the Revd Oliver Brewer-Lennon on Christmas Day 2024 (Luke 2:1-14)
‘His eyes—how they twinkled!’ • Sermon preached by the Revd Oliver Brewer-Lennon at Midnight Mass 2024 (John 1:1-14)