What is the Guild?
The Guild is a branch of a national organisation within the Church of Scotland. We follow a national theme each year, and we support projects chosen nationally along with other Guilds in Scotland. The motto underlines that everything we are and do as a Guild rests on our relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ:
Who is it for?
All are welcome at our meetings – male or female, old or young, Church of Scotland member, any other Christian or other faith or none.
How do I know what’s on?
Church magazine, weekly notice sheets, posters and syllabus (physical copies available at the Centre Entrance, the Offering House, or the welcome desks in church – e-version below). As well as the main item or speaker, all meetings include worship, news and usually refreshments. Our syllabus for 2026/27 is based on the National Guild Strategy “Let us Build a House” with this session’s theme being “Beyond The Walls”.
What does the Guild have to offer?
A wide variety of different get-togethers : speakers who may be informative, thought-provoking, interesting, fun; social evenings with entertainment, coffee mornings, annual historical walk. Plenty of opportunities to be part of a caring fellowship, linked by a love of Jesus, and to contribute in action or with money to good causes locally, across Scotland and across the world.
Do I have to sign up to be a member?
No.
You can come to one meeting only or as many as you wish. There is a small charge per meeting, currently £4 for the Monday evening meetings, which includes refreshments. Regular “members” pay an annual capitation fee (£18 this year) which goes to Guild Headquarters to support the central administration. At the beginning of the session you can choose to pay a lump sum of £57 for all of this season’s Monday evening meeting fees (including Christmas Wreath Making and Scottish Evening).
Fees for Wednesday afternoon meetings will be £4, paid at each meeting.
Who runs it?
A committee of about 7 people elected each year at the Annual General Meeting. They are led by a Convener, currently Gladys Montgomery (on the left below), and the other two you may need to be in touch with are the Secretary, Elaine Hermina (in the middle), and the Treasurer, Linda Brown (on the right). Their contact details are in the syllabus.
What does the Guild support?
We support in our prayers, with our money, and sometimes with our presence, our own church and the others in SEECOS, one or more of the national projects each year, youth and school work in South East Edinburgh and any community needs which come to our attention. In the autumn we support the Blythswood Shoebox Appeal and promote it in the congregation.
What are these national projects?
The project we supported last year (2025-26) was Release International’s Operation Hope/Egypt. They work with persecuted Christians across the world and plan to “build a house” together with Christians in Upper Egypt facing persecution and discrimination.
This year (2026-27) we are supporting Playful Beginnings (Crossreach) and Bear Necessities. A child’s early years can have an impact that lasts a lifetime. The Guild’s supportwill ensure infants have the best possible start in life by developing strong,positive relationship between parents and children.
How does the Guild raise funds?
We have Sales Tables at some meetings (Bring and Buy), Christmas and Spring Coffee Mornings (great social occasions!), Social Evenings with entertainment, any surplus from meeting fees and donations.
COME AND JOIN US!
We invite you to come along to any of our meetings, or to our special events, and see for yourself why it’s good to be part of the Guild.
Enjoy the fellowship, learn something from the speakers, have fun at social events, participate in something worthwhile!
