Youth and Children

Children and young people welcome!

Our churches warmly welcome young people of all ages. Clergy, volunteers and youth & children’s workers across the Diocese are working hard to include young people in church and encourage their faith. We listen to young people, valuing their insights and questions about God, life and church.

This page highlights some of ministry with and to children and young people across the Diocese of Edinburgh. More detailed information about our Diocesan-wide ministries are available at the links or via the dropdown menu above. Further information about Provincial offerings and resources for congregations are available via our Mission and Ministry Resource page. The Advisor for Christian Life (the Revd Fee Reynolds) is the central point of contact for all churches in their work with children and young people and can be contacted at: freynolds@dioceseofedinburgh.org.

At this time of continued, and escalating, conflict we offer these thoughts and resources to support children, young people and families: How do we talk with children about war?

Play Church

Play Church is a child-sized altarscape which invites children to play, dress up and explore worship. Edinburgh Diocese’s portable Play Church is the only one of its kind in the UK.

Since its launch in 2016, Play Church has been on a pilgrimage, staying with each host church in the Diocese for a season of the Church year. Play Church is currently with St Columba’s by the Castle in the Old Town of Edinburgh.

You can learn more about our unique Play Church project here.

Youth (12-18 year olds)

Our young people of Secondary School age meet regularly from across the Diocese to build and sustain friendships, explore faith, and share in food together. These events are open to anyone aged 12-18 and more details (plus required consent form) can be found on our Youth page.

Grants for Youth and Children’s Work

Small grants are available from the Diocese. Applications are invited throughout the year, with no specific deadline apart from the end of the year. For more information and to get an application form, p lease click here.