Yearly Archive 2020

Make the most of that mask!

One Scottish woman is determined to make the ubiquitous facemask a positive talking point.

‘I want it to be an opportunity to share our faith in a fun way,’ said Margaret Wyllie who launched CRE exhibitor Holy Socks 20 years ago. ‘It’s a new addition to our range and one we wish wasn’t required. However, in these Covid days, it seemed a good idea to introduce some biblical masks and team them with our socks. Who knows, they might start a conversation. If you have the socks on your feet, you can show them off, too!

‘We’ve started with our Jonah design and hope to introduce more in the coming weeks.’

Masks are sold singly with the same A4 story leaflet giving the reason behind the design. They are also available with a pair of Jonah and the Whale holy socks, accompanied by an A3 story leaflet. 

‘Jonah and the Whale was one of our first sock designs when we started the company,’ recalled Margaret. ‘Holy Socks were born partly out of a desire to have a quiet, non-threatening way of opening a conversation about the Christian faith. Covid makes that conversation urgent now. I hope the Jonah masks do as good a job as the socks have done over the years.’

The masks are in two colours, hot pink and grey version and have a 93.6% particle filtration efficiency (PFE) rating protects against particles and viruses. Both are 2-ply, reusable and washable.  

Click here for more information.

• Holy Socks will be exhibiting at CRE National 2021 (Sandown Park, Esher, Surrey, 12-14 Oct)

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From stained glass to lightning strikes: get a world of advice

Offering all that’s new in church and heritage matters with a special focus on restoration and refurbishment – that’s Ecclesiastical and Heritage World.

To boost the readership of its print version, the magazine, which has existed in print and on the web for more than 20 years, is now offering a free annual subscription. All the publishers ask is coverage of the postage and packing costs of £4.80 per year – that’s for four issues!

To take advantage, click here to provide them with your email and the name and address of the subscriber. They will arrange everything else for you.

‘Visitors to our website will find a searchable directory of all the expert services their church could need: from specialist architects and surveyors or technical wizards offering live streaming of church services to new sound systems or heating and lighting,’ said Ecclesiastical and Heritage World’s Steve Foley. ‘There’s metalwork, stained glass and even advice on keeping you safe from lightning strikes!’

You will also read a regularly-updated section previewing upcoming CREs and containing an array of experts offering services for your church. Back issues can be viewed here

‘If your church has a story to share or if you are an expert with services to offer the sector, we would love to hear from you,’ said Steve.

For more information click here.

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New door opens for key workers

As the country clapped for key workers, one organisation wondered how they might continue to bless them in the foreseeable future.

Lee Abbey is a Christian community in Devon that has welcomed guests for more than 74 years – to join in inspiring worship, prayer and teaching. 

‘Whether it’s as part of an individually-guided retreat, a “walk and talk” or a family-themed break, the lives of guests and community have been transformed as they encounter God,’ explained Lee Abbey’s Grant Forrest. ‘Like many places, we have pivoted and adapted to the changes 2020 has brought, but we remain true to our vision of seeing the Church renewed, lives transformed and people encountering God.’

The challenge of offering the ministry of hospitality with a smaller community needed some creative thinking, which led Lee Abbey into identifying a unique opportunity to bless key workers.

‘Their contribution to the wellbeing of the country has been hugely significant in recent months,’ explained Grant. ‘Many are now feeling the need to rest, retreat and be refreshed so we’re delighted to open two additional self-catering properties on our estate, specifically for them, at just £60 per night. Recognising our response is faith based, we go forward in faith, believing others too will want to be part of this initiative.’

Lee Abbey’s bursary fund will make this possible.

‘We’re looking for supporters to help us raise the £23640 needed,’ said Grant. ‘Could you help bless a key worker?’

Click here for more information.

• Lee Abbey will be exhibiting at CRE South West 2021 (17-18 Mar) and CRE National 2021 (Sandown Park, Esher, Surrey, 12-14 Oct

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‘Bikers’ bench’ is fitting memorial to 59 Club founder

Motorcyclists who make an annual pilgrimage to Lincoln Cathedral can now witness the woodworking skills of CRE exhibitor Nicholas Hobbs.

Influenced by the Arts and Crafts Movement, Nicholas has crafted a bench in memory of 59 Club founder Fr Graham Hullett. Positioned in the Lady Chapel, it provides the ideal spot for contemplation by motorcyclists in memory of Fr Hullett. Officially recognised by the Church of England, the 59 Club was formed in London during the 1960s, a period infamous for clashes between Mods and Rockers.

The club claimed a worldwide membership of more than 10,000. A rider himself, Fr Hullett wore his dog collar under his leathers and ostensibly ran the club without rules. Nevertheless, he gained respect by being a father figure to many, approachable and down to earth, offering them moral, occasionally financial support and attending court cases. He visited prisons and carried out the duties of a cleric ­­– marrying, christening offspring and burying those who perished in road accidents. 

He had a long-lasting influence amongst a large group of disaffected youngsters. In recognition, a number of early members clubbed together in 2005 to buy a Royal Enfield Bullett 500 for Fr Hullett – to get him back in the saddle and on the road again. Upon his death, Fr Hullett’s specially-painted bike was left to a member of the Spirit of 59 who subsequently offered the bike to auction to fund the permanent memorial bench at Lincoln.

Each December, on the anniversary of its dedication, motorcyclists travel to Lincoln Cathedral from around Britain, gathering in the Lady Chapel to remember the man as they sit on the bench and later meeting in a local pub to recall stories from an earlier era.

Nicholas, who studied creative design at Loughborough University, makes functional furniture to commissions.

‘I create work that will stand the test of daily use and the test of time,’ he said. ‘It was my great pleasure to be invited to make this memorial bench which, alongside the Pumfrey family bench, is available for use by pilgrims for reflection every day.’

Nicholas has created many memorable items including a blanket chest in selected, figured English oak which is in the permanent Arts & Crafts collection at Leicester City.

Churches and cathedrals regularly draw on Nicholas’ specialist skills to create striking, long-lasting items, blending a strong architectural design style with the exacting construction standards of the Arts & Crafts tradition. 

Click here for more information.

• Nicholas Hobbs will be exhibiting at CRE National 2021 (Sandown Park, Esher, Surrey, 12-14 Oct)

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High five for church wi-fi

When two of your premises are divided by a main road and the rectory is even further away, how do you link them up?

St Giles Church, Northampton called CRE exhibitor Midshire Business Systems who installed an easy-to-operate system that pumps wi-fi through all three sites.

The church runs various groups such as parent and toddler, blood donor (NHS) and English language lessons for the community, and members can access the system as well. Wi-Fi points were installed on the ceilings so that perfect signals were distributed around all three buildings. A VoIP (voice over internet protocol) telephone system allows the use of handsets in all three premises, linking them and enabling calls to be transferred between sites with a click of a button. All calls are also free of charge.

A wireless bridge transfers the broadband wirelessly over the road, eliminating the need for an extra analogue line and broadband, avoiding the problem of the church’s thick walls which make it difficult for a wireless signal to penetrate. 

‘We were delighted with the way Midshire installed a telephone system and broadband in both the main church and the parish office,’ said Helen Goff, the church’s officer administrator. ‘The work was carried out efficiently and professionally. After sales care, including any teething issues and trouble-shooting, has been equally met with efficiency, professionalism and a thoroughness in seeing a job through to the end.’

Social distancing has made it more important ever that a wi-fi solution is in place to avoid forcing people to crowd around in a tight area.

Martin Hill, senior salesman for Midshire, said: ‘Most churches I now deal with have a wi-fi solution. It is required for laptops, PCs, interactive screens, digital signage printers, card reading machines (donations), and mobiles etc – all equipment which we can supply.’

Click here for more information.

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New church development that’s streets ahead

Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to link three disparate buildings with an internal street.

That was the task facing EMJ Architects in 2012 by Grace Church in Yate, near Bristol.

The growing fellowship had purchased a development site comprising a former physiotherapy centre and an older building dating from around 1880. A new 220-seat meeting hall and entrance also needed to be constructed that was welcoming, warm, light and comfortable.

‘In essence, the hall was to be an extension of someone’s own home,’ explained EMJ director Esmond Murray.

The design focused around an ‘internal street’ – a large, multi-purpose circulation space that would remove the need for a series of corridors and could be used as a meeting or activity space in its own right. The street would be angled to allow central access to the new meeting hall, while a timber-clad wall, appearing as a continuation of the external cladding, would visually draw visitors to the heart of the building.

The work was completed in 2019.

‘It was a challenge to avoid impacting detrimentally on the setting of the locally listed building, while providing an attractive and legible entrance to the church,’ said Esmond. ‘A key element of that was to break down the overall mass of the design by wrapping the main body of the new meeting hall and the existing building with flat roof elements, lessening the overall visual impact of the proposal and keeping its overall height to an appropriate level.

‘Our aim, in all our work, is to produce design solutions that are attractive, practical, sustainable, sensitive to their environment and that above all respond to the individual needs of each client.’

Click here for more information.

• EMJ Architects will be exhibiting at CRE South West 2021 (17-18 Mar) and CRE National 2021 (12-14 Oct)

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Online church: where do we go from here?

If you have been streaming services from inside someone’s home, how will you replicate that intimacy when you broadcast from a church building?

That’s the question posed by CRE exhibitor DM Music.

‘Coming from a home, the service will probably have been personal, relaxed and intimate in style, delivered directly and closely to camera,’ said DM Music’s Iain Harvey-Smith. ‘However, a simple, single camera streaming system showing a wide, distant shot of the front of church, coupled with reverberant audio, will present a very different style of church.’

Ian suggests that developing a style for the weekly Sunday service stream may take time.

‘For continuity and to keep some of the familiar style you have been using during lockdown, you could pre-record small segments from home that appear at the beginning or end of your live stream from church,’ he said. ‘If you’ve been using Zoom you may consider sustaining  the interaction, perhaps at the end of the service – via a screen in an area where you would normally serve refreshments.’

DM Music offer a complete solution for streaming and audiovisual requirements – supply, design, quotation, installation, training, service, support and free advice.

‘Don’t rush into streaming, look to build on the elements you may have already,’ said Iain. ‘Aim to develop your style, operators and equipment as the ministry grows.’

To find out more visit DM’s Quick Expert Guide.

• DM Music will be exhibiting at CRE National 2021 (Sandown Park, Esher, Surrey, 12-14 Oct)

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Trust me, these could be perfect gifts

The Christian Gift Company has grown from selling a few hundred lines in 2011 to a few thousand, including mugs for ministers.

‘Our range is pretty extensive and therefore we hope that we have something for everyone,’ explained the company’s founder, Marianne Needham-Bennett.

The company stocks greetings cards, stationery, notecard packs, prayer cards, colouring and Bible journalling resources, jotter pads, perpetual calendars, promise boxes and notebooks.

‘We also sell gold, sterling silver and fashion jewellery for men and women, including crosses, tree of life, doves, hearts, Ichthus fish necklaces and bracelets, plus accessories such as scarves and socks,’ said Marianne. ‘Whether you are a vicar looking for something with which to celebrate or commiserate with your parishioners, or for something small to thank church wardens or with which to welcome new members to your church, we believe we have a card and/or a gift just right for you!’

The company bring together products from a wide range of suppliers including Just Cards, Holy Socks, Jonathon Hemingray and Hannah Dunnett, enabling you to buy your favourite cards and gifts all in one place. Once on their mailing list you will receive 10 per cent off your first order and a twice-weekly email containing information on new products and a ‘word of encouragement’ written by Marianne.

‘With the country in varying degrees of lockdown, the ability to send presents directly to people you are unable to visit or be with, could be invaluable for maintaining the truly caring and meaningful spirit of Christmas later on in the year,’ she said.

Click here for more information.

• The Christian Gift Company will be exhibiting at CRE National 2021 (Sandown Park, Esher, Surrey, 12-14 Oct)

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Take a breath and have a biscuit

Take a breath ­and have a biscuit – that’s Anne Wray’s advice to clients seeking financial advice during the pandemic.

‘We make people feel so welcome that, before Covid-19, they often dropped into the office for a coffee,’ said Anne. Now, with many meetings conducted through the Internet, she posts them a biscuit – so they can still meet over coffee!

It’s no wonder clients feel part of a family. Working alongside Anne are her daughter, Melanie (an independent financial adviser and mortgage adviser), son Tom (office manager, training to be a para-planner) and granddaughter Megan (office administrator). 

‘We like to think that anyone seeking our advice becomes part of the extended family,’ said Anne. ‘In fact, they are now helping to find mortgages for the children of our earlier clients!’

The company was formed more than 25 years ago. Anne left school and began working in a finance office – ‘because in those days girls didn’t go to university.’ That was followed by five years with Methodist Insurance, looking after the life pensions. When new regulations were invoked, the Methodist Church did not want to continue and Anne took that side of their work privately. She opened up the business to others after a few years offering a large range of financial help, including protection, mortgages, savings, investments, pensions, wills, trusts and funeral plans.

Now, because of the pandemic, there is significant uncertainty for many, particularly as the next round of Government intervention is implemented.

‘But it is a good time to take a breath and consider the future,’ she explained. ‘One of our principle objectives is to help people achieve and maintain their desired lifestyle. A major element in this process is to ensure the target lifestyle can be funded, preferably in a tax-efficient way, which involves a combination of tax planning, investment planning and cash flow management.’

And all that is where the company’s years of experience come into action – particularly for clergy and their families, and the wider Christian community. 

Taking the biscuit could mean a blessing.

Click here for more information.

• Anne Wray will be exhibiting at CRE National 2021 (Sandown Park, Esher, Surrey, 12-14 Oct)

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Covid-19: young people learning to ‘value what they have’

More than one in three young people between the ages of 16 and 24 in the UK say they have learned to cope with adversity since the outbreak of Covid-19.

In a survey by the Prince’s Trust, 37 per cent said they have gained coping skills or emotional resilience. A consultation with 150 children and young people showed they felt they had learned new hobbies, picked up old ones, and appreciated time to reflect. They also said they had experienced gratitude.

Luton-based Youthscape’s centre for research has analysed a series of surveys by various organisations on young people and their experiences during Covid-19 – and have amalgamated the findings. Most young people in one survey of 13 to 24-year-olds said they enjoyed spending more time with their parents – but had begun to worry more about their parents and family. A Barnardo’s survey of eight to 24-year-olds found an increase in issues related to mental health and wellbeing. The top feelings expressed by the youngsters were boredom (51 per cent), worry (28 per cent) and feeling trapped (26 per cent).

One 13-year-old boy said: ‘It has made me realise that the future is more unpredictable than I thought. I don’t know what will go on in the future, so I am going to value what I have now.’

One of a number of studies on young people and Covid-19 showed an increase in anxiety – and that anxiety rose the older the children got. Among those struggling were older teenagers, girls, those from black or minority ethnic backgrounds, those not in education, employment, or training and some already struggling with poor mental health.

Lucie Shuker, director of research at CRE exhibitor Youthscape, said: ‘We know the virus has heavily impacted young people’s mental health. All have experienced loss over this time, whether time with family and friends, education or normal teenage experience. But some who were already vulnerable have had a particularly rough time with increased anxiety, loneliness and depression.’

The local youth work team at Youthscape have developed a resource in response, for use with young people in schools.

‘It’s called Thrive and can be used by teachers, school visitors and churches to help teenagers process their return to school and develop resilience and mental wellbeing in these few weeks and months,’ said Lucie. It features four short films with teaching from Dr Kate Middleton and stories from some amazing students, ten creative activities suitable for self-guided or classroom work ready to be delivered by teaching staff with printable activity sheets.

Click here for more information

• Youthscape are exhibiting at CRE National 2021 (12-14 Oct 2021)

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