Yearly Archive 2020

ByDave Hall

Full-on week for the Fullers

Next week will be a full one for the Fullers.

On Monday (2 Mar) Paul Fuller, owner of Fullers Finer Furniture, and son Oliver will be presented with the prestigious Furniture Makers’ Company, Master Certificate in Furniture Making – an award sponsored by City and Guilds and City of London. Oliver will be presented with the Apprentice Certificate in Furniture Making.

Each application is assessed by a panel of representatives from the Furniture Makers’ Company and the applicant must provide evidence of achieving an appropriate level of responsibility within the industry and having a technical knowledge in the relevant sector. 

The presentations will be made by the Lord Mayor, Alderman William Russell.

Based in Weston-super-Mare, Fullers Finer Furniture was established in 1985. From humble beginnings the company is now recognised as a major supplier of quality furniture to churches and other places of worship. 

From bespoke items to their award-winning, gas height-adjustable Canterbury and York lecterns, and from restoration work to a complete refit, their dedicated team provides a personal, comprehensive service.

‘The recognition of our individual skills and experience means a great deal to us,’ said Paul. ‘The fact that we will both be presented with our respective certificates at the same ceremony will make it a truly memorable day. I feel proud to have two generations of award-winning furniture makers in what is a family business and look forward to what the future brings.’

• Fullers Finer Furniture are on stand D16 at CRE Midlands 2020

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ByDave Hall

Sharing faith: Tim helps us go timid-free

For almost nine out of 10 of us who lack confidence in sharing our personal Christian testimony, help is at hand.

The new Living & Telling course from CRE Midlands exhibitor Agapé UK is a series of 10 free videos created to help Christians communicate their faith – naturally, helpfully and as a way of life.

Agapé UK’s Tim Moyler and Dave Pegg of the PACE Trust were challenged by research from the Evangelical Alliance suggesting 87 percent of UK Christians lack confidence in sharing their spiritual journey with others.

‘Over the past few years we have developed the course in Exeter and it seems to transform the lives of those who attend,’ said Tim. ‘Leaders of churches and organisations across the country began asking us if they could run the course, too, but it was all on bits of paper, video clips and in our heads!’

Time and Dave realised that Living & Telling had to become a series of highly-interactive videos.

‘As the project got underway many brilliant communicators such as Phil Knox, Matt Summerfield and Grace Wheeler offered to join the team and present a session,’ recalled Tim. Living & Telling was launched at CRE National 2019 and Tim reports having more than 250 helpful conversations with church leaders about the course at Sandown Park.

‘Many have been in touch to say they are already running the course with house groups,’ said Tim. Agapé UK will profile Living & Telling at a seminar at CRE Midlands (3pm, Wed 5 Mar) and guide visitors through their brand-new website.

‘The videos are easy to run and can be downloaded free of charge,’ said Tim. ‘A beautifully-produced, low-cost workbook has been produced for each group member. Come to the seminar and we will give this to you, free of charge.’

• Agapé UK are on stand B13 at CRE Midlands 2020

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ByDave Hall

Is your church building underinsured?

As many as 80 percent of non-household buildings in the UK are underinsured – many of them churches, according to CRE Midlands exhibitor Access Insurance

‘Some people believe that, because the building will never be totally destroyed, it is not worth insuring for the full amount,’ said James Hill of Access. ‘They assume they only need recompense for the damage done but that is rarely the case. Many insurance policies have an “average” clause, designed to ensure the buildings are insured for their full value. Such a policy means that if you insure only 50 percent of the value of the building you will only receive 50 percent of any claim, regardless of its size.’

Access will introduce church leaders to their online valuation service at CRE Midlands – a safe haven for many churches and charities anxious not to face potential damage without proper cover.

‘We also find the insurance value of many church properties remains unchanged for years –with the value of the building rising considerably above the insurance figure,’ said James. ‘This would prove disastrous in the case of severe damage. If you think you may face problems like these come and talk to us.’

• Access Insurance are on stand F15 at CRE Midlands 2020

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ByDave Hall

The new you will be wearing bamboo

Clerics sporting clothes made of biodegradable bamboo could soon be de rigueur – if one CRE Midlands exhibitor’s ideas catch on.

Lottie Sparey, 34, is founder of Lottie’s Eco, a husband and wife team from Worcestershire who make clergywear from organic bamboo.

‘It is Lottie’s first CRE and we are excited to welcome her unique collection to the exhibition and specifically our presentation on the first day – Clergy on the Catwalk,’ said event director Brett Pitchfork. Lottie began the company after working in South Africa for Playtex and Wonderbra.

‘I have a passion for creating something that is beautiful and comfortable. True comfort lies in that ahhh… feeling when you put something on after a hard day,’ she said. ‘I was studying contour fashion at De Montfort University in Leicester and became interested in creating next level clothing that would look great and also protect the planet.’

She first discovered the qualities of bamboo in South Africa.

‘It is an amazing product, replenishing itself once cut within a year,’ she said. ‘A prolific grower, it needs no fertiliser or chemicals and very little water. It is 100 per cent biodegradable, absorbs more carbon dioxide from the air than cotton or timber and releases more oxygen into the environment. Unlike polyester and nylon synthetic fabrics bamboo breathes and has a unique softness which makes for great wearing.’

Clergy on the Catwalk at CRE Midlands (11am, Wed 4 Mar, Inflatable Theatre) will also feature a wide variety of formal and informal ecclesiastical clothing from leading designers like Hayes and Finch, Collared clergywear and designer Rev Naomi Nixon, new CEO of the Student Christian Movement. In her spare time, Naomi makes clerical tops and dresses to sell in Coventry’s St Clare’s at the Cathedral.

• Lottie’s Eco are on stand D13 at CRE Midlands

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ByDave Hall

Pixel perfect: Vote for your favourite church photograph

All nine photographs are superb – and visitors to CRE Midlands will be invited to choose their favourite.

Run by Ecclesiastical insurance, Parish Pixels is a national competition celebrating UK churches through photography. Judges have already selected nine regional winners but visitors to the Ecclesiastical stand at CRE Midlands can vote for the one they think should be the overall winner.

‘There are so many unique and fascinating items, stories and people in our churches and we are highlighting these,’ said Michael Angell, church operations director at Ecclesiastical. ‘The response to the competition has been fantastic and we received some incredible images that show why our churches are so special.’

Representatives from the regional winning churches, all receiving £1500, will be invited to attend a celebratory lunch in October 2020, where the overall winner will be announced. The winning church will receive £5,000.

‘We welcome CRE Midlands visitors to vote for their favourite photo at our stand,’ said Michael. ‘Our church insurance consultants will also be available to discuss any insurance requirements – including your church, home or vicarage – and financial planning for retirement.’

• Ecclesiastical insurance are on stand E32 at CRE Midlands

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ByDave Hall

Released prisoners: Government turns to Pastor Pete

Of 66,000 people released from prison each year, some 36,000 will go back behind bars – but now one CRE exhibitor has been approached by the government to help tackle the problem.

A Ministry of Justice pilot project is being run in four areas of the UK to try and reduce the re-offending rate by 10 per cent – and Green Pastures, a charity based in Southport, are a strategic part of the initiative.

‘It is wonderful to know that, at last, the government has approached the Church to help address a problem they have had for the past 40 years,’ said Pastor Pete Cunningham, founder of the organisation.

In 1999, Pastor Pete his son Andrew and Vicki Woodley, already housing the homeless in their church building, put their hands in their pockets and purchased two flats in Southport to give homeless people somewhere to live. The first recipients were a single mum and her child. Two decades later, there are now 400 people housed by the charity at any one time and thousands more have benefitted over the years.

In 2003, a chaplain from North Staffordshire found out about the work and asked Green Pastures to buy a property in Stoke-on-Trent – so his team could take ex-offenders from the prison gate to house and care for them.

‘Taking a step of faith, we bought a property for someone else,’ recalled Pete. ‘The results were amazing! As we provided more housing, the re-offending rate reduced. Now we partner with 80 other churches across the UK and house more than 1080 people. Many of our partners look after ex-offenders and a good percentage stay out of prison and become good citizens.

‘The model is simple. Any church or charity with a heart to house the homeless are welcome to talk to us at CRE Midlands and we will guide you through the process. Many people we house go on to have faith in Jesus Christ. This is our modus operandi – saving souls. Our properties and staff work to that end.

‘For those who cannot work with homeless people direct, it is possible to invest in the work with a good return – and you can be certain your funds are working ethically.’

• Green Pastures are on stand P65 at CRE Midlands

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ByDave Hall

Choral stage risers will hit the high notes

Now your choir can sing farewell to unsteady benches, stools and chairs – thanks to a product seen at CRE Midlands for the first time 

‘With SICO® Harmony Choral Stage Risers, you just roll each self-contained 3- or 4-step unit into place, lower the steps with one fluid motion to the floor, lock it to the next unit, and it’s showtime!’ said Bob Ferns of Lighthouse Audiovisual.

When in use, each unit rests on 10 to 12 solid points of contact, so the risers remain solid and quiet. Each step is fully carpeted and positioned to keep heels from slipping off the back edge.

‘A standard rear guard rail folds down for transport and storage and prevents unwanted opening when not in use,’ said Bob. ‘We also highly recommend our new side-rail system for extra safety, and increased peace of mind.’

The risers have a quick reverse-step system that makes it easy to change the riser configuration from traditional semi-circular arrangement to straight or other interesting combinations – without tools! 

The 3-tier riser takes up less depth and its top riser is only 24″ (60.9 cm) high, making it a safe choice for small- or medium-sized groups and young children.

‘When you have a larger group, or are setting up risers in a confined area, the 4-step unit features a top tier at 32″ (81.3 cm) – increasing overall capacity,’ said Bob.

• Lighthouse Audiovisual are on stand B35 at CRE Midlands

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ByDave Hall

A million set to pray for the Muslim world

It began 28 years ago in the Middle East – today, a million Christians across 37 different languages and nations will pray for their Muslim neighbours.

Thirty Days of Prayer for the Muslim World is an annual prayer guide with stories written by ordinary Christians who live alongside, serve and love Muslim people. This year the 30 days run from 24 April to 23 May. 

‘God is answering the prayers of many, as a growing number of Muslims are choosing to follow Jesus,’ said Dan Challis of CRE Midlands exhibitor Interserve, an international, non-denominational mission that has served Asia and the Arab World for 160 years. ‘More Muslims are changing allegiance to Christianity than at any time in church history. This phenomenon has gone hand-in-hand with an unprecedented global movement of Christians praying with love for Muslims during their fasting month of Ramadan.’

As Dan points out, it is one thing for a Muslim to begin the journey of faith in Christ but another to keep pressing on in the journey, year after lonely year. 

‘If they are rejected by their birth community, without really finding a new community in Christ, they are left isolated and vulnerable,’ said Dan. ‘They need Christ’s followers to be a new family to them.

‘For the first time in history, believers of Muslim background are becoming a significant stream in the world Christian movement! But in a generation’s time, will the stream still be growing stronger? Will today’s believers be multiplying the message through their Muslim friends and families? And will each one of us, today, play our small part in this vision? Will we love, encourage and equip that precious believer of Muslim background whom Jesus has entrusted to us?’

• Interserve are on stand P8 at CRE Midlands

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ByDave Hall

Mike’s mission: Supporting your mission

A man who spent ten years as a pilot in Africa is hosting the first-ever Mission Resources Exhibition (MRE) in two weeks’ time – alongside CRE Midlands.

Flying missionaries to and from isolated areas for Mission Aviation Fellowship, Mike Frith was amazed at the difficulties they faced. So, 20 years ago, he set up OSCAR – One Stop Centre for Advice and Resources – to provide areas of help for mission workers.

‘We try to help them in any way, whether they need a car when they are in the UK, specialist training or any other area of life,’ said Mike.

And mission workers at CRE Midlands can get advice from many different experts at MRE (Wed 4 Mar only), held in the Oak Tree rooms at NAEC, Stoneleigh Park.

‘We will be in a separate building just yards away from CRE and have gathered together specialists who can take the leg work out of finding relevant information,’ explained Mike. MRE will welcome mission workers, those considering mission work, missionaries returning from their places of work and non-UK Christians coming to the UK as Christian workers – directing them all to areas which will serve them best.

OSCAR’s independence from any other organisation gives it a unique position in the UK mission scene.

‘We don’t promote one organisation or service over another but give an unbiased representation of those that operate in any particular field,’ said the 55-year-old who is celebrating 20 years since launching OSCAR. ‘Visitors to MRE will be able to take advantage of the notice board giving information on the many vocational opportunities currently available.’

Mike will also lead a seminar ­– Mission: serving as senders – at CRE Midlands (11am, Wed 4 Mar).

A pre-registered ticket to CRE Midlands allows free entrance to OSCAR’s MRE where the exhibitors include:

• Access underwriting
• AFVS (Advice For the Voluntary Sector)
• All Nations Christian College
• Big Church Day Out
• Christian TEFL
• Durbin plc
• Ichthus Motor Services
• Key Travel
• Kingdom Bank
• Lee Abbey
• Mission & Relief Logistics Ltd
• OSCAR
• Redcliffe College
• Salt Insurance
• Shunem Trust
• Stewardship
• Syzygy
• Talent Trust Consultants
• Thrive Worldwide
• Whitefield Christian Trust
• WRS Limited Insurance Brokers

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ByDave Hall

Be old, be strong: ‘Acidic ageism’ in churches condemned

Should churches asked older parishioners to leave to attract younger families?

It was widely reported to have happened at Grove United Methodist Church in Minnesota recently.

Louise Morse, media and communications manager of CRE Midlands exhibitor Pilgrims’ Friend Society, believes ageism is all too common within the UK church.

‘Older people have lived through decades of acidic ageism,’ she said. ‘Many have left churches because the churches are deliberately reaching out to younger people.’ She told Premier Radio that the decision is ‘unscriptural’ and sends a ‘dreadful message to atheists’ that the older generation do not belong. Referencing the books of Peter and Titus, Morse believes that different generations come together for a healthy church.

‘The Bible says that the glory of the young is their strength,’ she said. ‘The glory of older people is their wisdom and there’s no way you can learn wisdom unless you live through experiences. You can acquire knowledge, but you don’t learn wisdom. God has made specific roles for older people to cascade that knowledge to the young.’

Louise’s book What’s Age Got To Do With It?, which shows readers how to recognise and combat ageism, will be available on the Pilgrims’ Friend Society stand at CRE Midlands 2020.

• Pilgrims’ Friend Society are on stand E12 at CRE Midlands 2020

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