Christian Aid Anniversary Service

Monday April 28 2025

Val Brown, head of Christian Aid Scotland, at St Giles' Cathedral. (Picture: Christian Aid)

Christian Aid has unveiled plans for a special service in Edinburgh next month to commemorate its 80th anniversary.  The First Minister John Swinney will be guest speaker at the service, which is taking place at St Giles’ Cathedral.

Christian Aid’s foundations date back to 1945 in the aftermath of the Second World War, when it responded to the huge refugee crisis in Europe.

The 80th anniversary service will also feature contributions from the charity’s Chief Executive Patrick Watt, Christian Aid’s global thematic advisor Temwa Kasakula, music from Siskin Green and poetry that has been written to mark the anniversary by former Head of Christian Aid Scotland, Kathy Galloway.

The current Head of Christian Aid Scotland, Val Brown said: “This is a milestone year for the organisation. It felt important to mark 80 years with a service that enables some deep reflection on what we’ve achieved while also recognising the many challenges facing us today, not least conflict and the climate crisis.

“While this is a service of worship, fundamentally it’s also about saying thank you to our supporters and those who continue to give, act and pray for global justice and an end to global poverty.”

During the service Scottish folk trio Siskin Green will perform the song ‘When I Needed A Neighbour’, a song that was originally written for Christian Aid back in the 1960s and is still popular in churches and school assembles today.

The service takes place on Saturday May 17 at 7pm. All are welcome.  If you’d like further information go to https://www.christianaid.org.uk/events/christian-aid-80th-anniversary-service-st-giles-cathedral or email Christian Aid’s Edinburgh office on edinburgh@christian-aid.org 

An exhibition called the Unstoppable Power of Hope, showcasing some of Christian Aid’s work over the past eight decades, will be on display at St Giles’ from the middle of May.

Life and Work is the magazine of the Church of Scotland. May issue out now

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