End the bend: dishwasher sees the back of aches and pains
Positioned somewhere between a domestic undercounter and a commercial ‘pass-through’, the new Nelson dishwasher has been ergonomically designed to avoid the need for the operator to bend.
Passthrough dishwashers make the washing process in a professional kitchen fast and efficient, especially important during busy periods – but they’re often too expensive for organisations on a limited budget.
‘Back problems are the most common occupational ailment for staff and volunteers working in a church context,’ explains John Nelson, managing director of CRE National 2019 exhibitors Nelson Dish & Glasswashers. ‘The Advantage Plus AD51 Ergo provides an affordable solution for people who may not need to invest in a pass-through but who want a comfortable means of loading and unloading a dishwasher.’
Highly specified, and energy and water efficient, the Ergo lends itself to forming part of a dishwashing system with appropriate tabling and shelving – something usually only possible with a passthrough machine. It also features a useful base cupboard for storing baskets and chemicals.
* Nelson Dish & Glasswashers are on stand S105 at CRE National 2019
> Who’s exhibiting at CRE National 2019?
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‘Veira the Voice’ returns to Sandown Park
As much at home singing opera at Glyndebourne as gospel at Godalming Baptist, Jonathan Veira’s considerable vocal and comic talents make him a hugely popular performer.
He has performed across the globe in a variety of roles and musical styles from Mozart to John Adams. In addition to operatic roles, Jonathan regularly broadcasts on BBC radio and TV, has recorded numerous CDs (his latest being the Hymns Project) and performed in TV programmes across many genres.
‘It will be great to return to CRE National 2019 with my old friend Cindy Kent MBE (who will host Cindy’s Bar),’ said Jonathan. ‘I look forward to performing a short programme of what I can offer to the modern church – and renewing many friendships.’
Jonathan will be a guest on Cindy’s Sofa at lunchtime on Wed 16 Oct, before performing at 3pm on the same afternoon. His books and CDs will also be available.
> Who’s exhibiting at CRE National 2019?
> Book tickets for CRE National 2019
From no fixed abode to pastures of plenty
Ending homelessness is Green Pastures’ big vision – and your church can be part of it.
That will be the message to CRE National 2019 from Pastor Pete Cunningham, Vicki Woodley and Andy Cunningham, members of a local church in Southport, who raised their own funds and purchased two flats in 1997.
‘We housed a couple with a child living in a garage, along with a single mum and child living in a derelict caravan,’ explained Pastor Pete. ‘The rest is history. We are now housing more than 1000 customers across the UK and the Lord is growing our ministry every year.’
Pastor Pete pastored several churches before taking on the small congregation in Southport in 1993.
‘At first, we provided temporary accommodation in our church building, for homeless individuals and families,’ said Pete. ‘We used our fellowship room, a converted garage and church cellar, making them as pleasant as possible. But the local environmental health department informed us we were contravening the law.’
He maintains that the years since have been some of the most wonderful they have experienced in the service of God.
‘Our first resident, a single mother aged 21, had been living in one room with her baby,’ he recalled. ‘What a joy it was to help her and fulfil God’s word. It appeared to us that the 21st Century church was not so eager to help the poor as the one we read about in the 1st Century.’
Today, Green Pastures have partners all over the UK, housing hundreds of formerly homeless people.
‘We have seen some amazing changes in people because they have a key to their own home,’ said Pete. ‘Alcoholics are free from alcohol addiction. Drug addicts are free from drug addiction. Unemployed young people with life skills problems are now working. Most wonderful of all is the number of people who have come to Christ, not through our preaching of the Gospel, but by our doing the Gospel.
‘We dream of every church in the UK having at least one house to house the homeless. That would mean an additional 100,000 people would be housed and cared for. We’ll be at CRE National 2019 and CRE Midlands 2020, showing local church leaders and members how they can join us in this exciting initiative.’
• Green Pastures will be on stand S110 at CRE National 2019
> Who’s exhibiting at CRE National 2019?
> Book tickets for CRE National 2019
All kinds of everything
At the opening of CRE North in Manchester, ‘a 50-strong children’s choir delighted former Eurovision winner Dana with a re-run of her winning song, All Kinds of Everything – but with different lyrics.’ So begins a report on the two-day CRE exhibition in March this year in Northern Life magazine.
ByCRE
Prayers for Brexit
Visitors to CRE North posted prayers for Brexit the day after Prime Minister Teresa May saw her latest Brexit Agreement with Brussels defeated in Parliament. The Brexit Prayer Wall was CRE’s response to the Archbishop of Canterbury’s call for five days of prayer in the approach to Brexit. Dana, a former MEP, was among the many who posted prayers.
The prayers were part of a prayer ministry initiative at CRE North, with its own stand, and a dedicated team, Colin and Sandra Findlay. Says Colin: ‘To be involved in prayer ministry is such an honour for us, and we really noticed the benefit of meeting again many of the exhibitors, and picking up on some of their worries and concerns. It was such a blessing to have our own area, where we could take people to pray with – that was invaluable to us.’
The Brexit prayers are listed below, warts and all, just as they were written.
• Please bring the power or reason to all involved in the negotiations for Brexit.
• Please bring your light and truth into our country and into decisions made. May they be godly decisions honouring to You.
• We lay before You the life of our nation and long for your gentle rule to be established here.
• Where there is division we call upon you for unity, where there is hate please bring love, where there is selfishness, bring selflessness, where there is greed, bring generosity, where there is hopelessness bring hope, where there are lies, bring your truth, and where there is darkness bring Your light Almighty God.
• Deuteronomy 4:7 ‘For what great nation is there who has a God so near to them as the Lord our God is to us in all things for which we call upon Him?’ Lord may we as a nation call upon you.
• We pray that you would grant truth and compassion to the media as they report on Brexit.
• Father God we call out for Your Holy Spirit to work and dwell in our land and in our leaders.
• In this time of change and trauma lead us by your Holy Spirit, we pray. Give wisdom to our politicians and leaders.
• Lord thank you that you know what is going to happen. May Your church be a light of peace and reconciliation in Jesus’ name.
• We pray for God fearing, righteous leaders.
• Lord grant our leaders wisdom and wide vision. Defeat the darkness of division and xenophobia. Bring peace, hope and love.
• Lord so many people feel fearful of what the future holds would you help Your Church to be a community where all feel welcome, heard and loved.
• Lord we know that Brexit will cause some disruption and realignment here and in Europe, we pray for this to be achieved with understanding, patience and with a sense of common purpose.
• We pray that God’s wisdom and strength will guide us and His Holy Spirit fill the nation.
• Lord please bring Brexit to pass and grant greater freedom to Your Church.
• Show your church the truth about Brexit.
• Job 12:13 ‘True wisdom and power are found in you God.’ Please bring your wisdom and power to those serving in our government.
• Please bless all those who work in government.
• Lord may Your Will be done in our country.
• Dear Lord, please have Your way.
• Lord, speak to your church in the UK – so they cry out for mercy and grace for the UK.
• Dear God in whom we find true love, mercy and compassion would you help us as we take our next steps in the Brexit decisions. May we strive to love each other, to embrace our differences and show respectful kindness to all.
• We pray that God will have His way and bring peace and security to our country and that democracy is respected and businesses can have surety in how to proceed.
• Dear Lord, please guide all involved in making the right decisions, not just for Britain but for all nations. In Jesus’ name.
• We pray for unity.
• 1 Chronicles 29:12 ‘Power and might are in Your hands, Lord. It is at Your discretion people are made great and given strength.’
• Wisdom, hope, peace, God’s fingerprints in it.
• Lord please grant Teresa May humility and clarity of vision.
• Loving God you were wounded and broken for us. Help us to bind up the wounds in our nation and bring us your peace and wholeness.
• God heal our land.
• Turn the will of the people to Your Will. may Your way rule, govern and protect this land.
• Daniel 9:4 ‘O Lord, the great and awesome God who keeps his covenant of love with all who love him and obey His commands, we have sinned and done wrong, we have been wicked and have rebelled, we have turned away from your commands and laws.’ Forgive us Lord.
• May your will be done O Lord in our land.
• Lord we pray for wisdom for our government.
• Micah 2:13 ‘The Lord breaker goes before me.’ Let our country ‘break’ through this confusing situation and move according to Your Will O God.
• We pray for healing on all sides as we break off from the European Union.
• Dear God grant humility and strength for all working in Parliament as they represent their communities.
• Lord Jesus please be with our ministers in Parliament at this time when our country is in such need of your wisdom. We pray for the outcome you would have.
• Let’s be free and trust God.
• Father God grant wisdom and vision for the Prime Minister and Party leaders as they negotiate the political future of our nation.
• We pray for our leaders, that they will lead wisely, listen attentively, exercise grace and know peace in their deliberations. Guide them as they make decisions about future relationships with Europe.
• Lord, we pray that your will be done and that your kingdom becomes evident during these trials over Brexit. Let people know You are in charge.
• Lord – 1 Timothy 2:2 – Lord we pray for leaders, for blessings on all, those with whom we agree and those with whom we don’t.
• Lord, please break us from the idolatry of nations, end the sin of injustice and turn our eyes and hearts to you.
• Lord we pray for wisdom as to how the borders are to be reclaimed and re-established.
• Please bring us through the chaos of Brexit. May Your Name be honoured once again in this land. Your will for us to be done.
• Please Lord, help our way forward to Brexit.
• Gambling with millions of people’s lives and livelihoods is a sin. Tearing down bridges and building barriers is a sin. Brexit is a sin. Good Lord, bring repentance and deliverance for Brexit.
Rock of cages: SU introduce creative sports outreach
A circular cage will be in use at CRE North – not to restrain over-enthusiastic visitors but to demonstrate just how easy it is to use a sports setting for outreach.
‘It’s just one of the resources we are introducing to churches at Event City,’ said Richard Witham, national sports mission leader for Scripture Union. The cage can be used to enable two teams of two to play football, cricket or hockey in short matches – drawing a crowd and the opportunity to connect with the local community.
And with the cricket world cup coming to England later in the year, SU are promoting Sticks for Stumps – a whole raft of related resources aimed at helping churches create occasions to present the Christian message.
‘From cricket on the beach to a school assembly, the material is there to be used,’ said one-time rugby player Richard, who knows how sport can bring together groups of any age. ‘It isn’t difficult to create a faith-sharing opportunity when sport is involved. The resources we have are tried and tested for churches, schools and community groups. They are also great for Messy Church – or Sweaty Church – when all ages can share a sporting activity but also pause for prayer or a short talk.’
Scripture Union will be involved in a seminar at CRE North, Your church and sports ministry, (4pm Wed 13 March) when a number of Christian organisations, involved in various sporting ministries, will present a range of opportunities now available.
• Scripture Union on are stand A 36 at CRE North
> Who’s exhibiting at CRE North 2019?
> See the seminar programme for CRE North 2019
> Who’s exhibiting at CRE Sandown Park 2019?
Bean bags, biscuits and books, books, books
Bean bags, biscuits and books, books, books are one man’s vision for the perfect ‘quiet spot’ in every church.
Dave Gatward, managing director of Kevin Mayhew Publishing, said: ‘I want to start a revolution in which churches choose a place where everyone, whatever their age, reads together, where an 89-year-old sits down and enjoys a book with a child of three.’
The company imprint, Palm Tree, is to launch new books in an ever-expanding range for children with the first in the series available at CRE North next week. The first ones include Bible Birds and Beasties, What Happens when You Die, Grandpa? and Dedication Prayers, along with The Classic Children’s Bible.
‘We will publish new books in the series at least twice a year in an ever-expanding range,’ continued Dave, who wants churches to start a children’s library ‘filled with amazing books that they will want to read again and again, and thus learn more about just how much God loves them. Books are the best gifts – they never run out of batteries.’
He also aims to see churches hold prize-givings, celebrating children’s achievements by the presentation of books ‘they will carry with them for the rest of their lives.’
Palm Tree plan to release a book with the Christmas story in September, and Dave hopes others in the range will be used to mark dedications and Christenings.
‘Don’t let the family walk away with nothing,’ he said. ‘Give them a book. Write in it some lovely things from the church and keep in touch. Visitors to our stand at CRE North will be able to get a special pre-order offer complete with samples of the first set of titles. This has me tingling with excitement. I have absolute faith in the transformative power Palm Tree books will have in churches and families.
‘These are books chosen with care and love. I want churches to fall in love with them and to be desperate to find out what’s coming next. And I want children to have books to love, books to be read to and from, books at church and books at home.’
• Kevin Mayhew are on stand C29 at CRE North
> Who’s exhibiting at CRE North 2019?
> See the seminar programme for CRE North 2019
> Who’s exhibiting at CRE Sandown Park 2019?
Feed the Hungry: Book your place to lend a helping hand
It’s simple, communal and creates a high nutrition resource to feed some of the poorest children in the world.
And now you can find out how it all works by booking your place to join a Hand to Hand food packing demonstration at CRE North next week (13/14 Mar).
The activity entails a team of 10 CRE visitors filling bags with dried rice, soya and lentils along with a sachet of micronutrients. These bags are then weighed, sealed, labelled and boxed. Each pack contains six meals (one each for six children) and every box of food helps feed a family of six for a month.
‘Food packing is very simple and creates an end-resource sent by Feed The Hungry UK to some of the poorest children in the world,’ explained Gwyn Williams, the charity’s operations director. ‘It’s also a great way to involve your local community in a worthwhile activity.’
There will be several opportunities to join a Hand to Hand food packing team at CRE North. It will require one hour of your time and you will join a team of nine others.
Wed 13 Mar
11am to 12pm
2pm to 3pm
6pm to 7pm
Thur 14 Mar
11am to 12pm
1pm to 2pm
Stuart Bell, leader of the Ground Level Network and Senior Pastor of Alive Church, Lincoln, said: ‘I am delighted to commend Hand to Hand food packing to churches as it enables people to come together to pack food in a fun and enjoyable way, but also think about how it can be used as an opportunity to connect with their local community.’
• Feed The Hungry – Hand to Hand are on stand P63 at CRE North
> Who’s exhibiting at CRE North 2019?
> See the seminar programme for CRE North 2019
> Who’s exhibiting at CRE Sandown Park 2019?
Conserving history, safeguarding the future
Conserving the history of a church is a key to safeguarding its future.
So says Jenny Banks of CRE North exhibitor Fine Art Restoration. She should know. Unique conservation projects take her Carlisle-based company all over the country – from the Scottish Highlands to the Isle of Wight.
‘It is fascinating to visit churches, country estates and historic properties,’ said Jenny, who recently worked on a project for Stratfield Saye, the elegant estate of the Duke of Wellington. She was asked to assess an oil painting depicting a hatchment in the church on the estate grounds. Hatchments traditionally represent the heraldic achievements of a person once deceased, and are displayed in their home, church or family chapel. Fine Art Restoration’s trained art handlers collected the artwork, bringing the necessary equipment to navigate its challenging position at the top of a staircase over the church vestibule.
Above: The hatchments before after conservation work.
‘The conservation work was substantial and involved removing varnish, repairing tears and relining the canvas,’ explained Jenny. ‘We also filled losses, matched pigment for retouching and restored the artwork’s deep reds and shining golds to their original grandeur. We also replaced the stretcher bars, restored the frame and re-varnished the painting to provide a lasting protective finish.’
The managers of Stratfield Saye were delighted with the results.
‘It was a privilege to be invited back to assess a further two artworks displayed in the church as part of our ongoing conservation commitment,’ says Jenny. ‘Artworks displayed in churches are more exposed to environmental and incidental damage, being situated in older historic buildings and also being busy places of worship. Our team of experienced conservators assess artworks, furniture and specialist items within churches and create condition and conservation reports – vital for the long-term maintenance of treasured church contents.
‘Carefully conserving the history of a church is a key to successfully safeguarding its future.’
• Fine Art Restoration are on stand P16 at CRE North
> Who’s exhibiting at CRE North 2019?
> See the seminar programme for CRE North 2019
> Who’s exhibiting at CRE Sandown Park 2019?
Big screen events to quiz nights: Christians In Sport target huge mission field
From the retired golfer to a young sailor, churches should find out who plays sport in their congregations – and help them reach out to fellow sports people.
‘More than ten million people play competitive sport each week across the UK and that is a huge mission field,’ said Margy Dry, events co-ordinator for CRE North exhibitor Christians in Sport. ‘We exist to reach the world of sport for Christ and help Christians reach those in their local area with the good news. People who are keen on sport can be missionaries in the gym, on the running track – wherever they are.’
The organisation helps equip Christian sportspeople to share the gospel with teammates.
‘We seek to partner with and encourage churches,’ explained Margy. ‘Our priority is to see sportspeople maturing in Christ in their local church and being supported to shine for him in their local sports clubs and teams.’
Training sessions help members live out and share the gospel and there’s advice on hosting quizzes, tournaments and big-screen events to invite teammates to.
‘Our staff can also provide full support and speakers are available upon request for both training and guest events,’ said Margy, adding ‘We realise that no two churches are the same, but we would love to help you think through what sports mission might look like in your context. Chat to our representative at CRE North for advice and information.’
• Christians In Sport are on stand A36 at CRE North
> Who’s exhibiting at CRE North 2019?
> See the seminar programme for CRE North 2019
> Who’s exhibiting at CRE Sandown Park 2019?