Itching to be switching? Andrew gives your church the power
It is still complicated for churches to change energy suppliers and save money – so it makes sense to use the services of someone who can look after the complicated paperwork.
Andrew Silley is an award-winning energy broker – the first independent consultant to win at the prestigious TELCA Energy Awards 2019. For more than 10 years he has been on a mission to bring Christian values to a market that is more complex than you might imagine with trust, transparency, integrity, honesty and understanding watchwords of his service.
A popular exhibitor at CRE, the former church warden has built up a wealth of knowledge about the various energy companies and how to switch from one to another.
‘Householders can change quite easily now,’ he said, ‘but it is more complicated for churches. Church volunteers often have other jobs and do not have enough time to understand the problems of switching accounts and take the easy way out, leaving things as they are. But with my experience I can make the switch easier, look after the complicated paperwork, and save them money in the process. It also leaves them more time to attend to Kingdom matters.’
The impact Andrew’s had on clients is significant. One inner London vicar said: ‘Andrew has become a good friend to our church and has always gone the extra mile. We are deeply grateful for his expert service.’
The name might be Silley but Andrew’s business is certainly not. And placing your energy supply contracts through Andrew will help support The Message, an organisation passionate about sharing the love of Jesus to some of the poorest and hardest to reach in our communities.
Click here for more information.
• Andrew Silley will be exhibiting at CRE South West 2021 (Westpoint, Exeter, 17-18 Mar) and CRE National 2021 (Sandown Park, Esher, Surrey, 12-14 Oct)
CRE At Home
See the CRE At Home resources guide!
Our next exhibitions
CRE South West 2021
17-18 March 2021
Westpoint, Exeter
CRE National 2021
12-14 October 2021
Sandown Park, Surrey
Lockdown spurs outbreak of ‘weird-free’ evangelism
Lockdown could have inhibited Christian witness – instead it has spurred many churches to take a fresh look at sharing their faith.
Recent research by the Evangelical Alliance, under the title ‘Changing Church: Responding to the Lockdown Crisis’, confirms a significant increase in people who are looking for spiritual answers from the Bible, prayer and their local church.
And Living & Telling from Agapé UK has been welcomed as an engaging way to conquer our faith-sharing fears, with any group or church now able to run the course in their own homes.
One member said: ‘We had a great time together. With Zoom we were able to break off in pairs which worked really well for me. From the security of my own home I felt I could be more honest and vulnerable with the person I was paired with. The course content really makes you stop and think about how you can share your faith in Jesus without being weird.’
Agapé Europe had to halt applications after more than 100 students from 22 countries registered for their launch of Living & Telling some weeks ago and three countries are currently translating of all the resources.
Gavin Calver, chief executive officer of the Evangelical Alliance, said: ‘Living and Telling is a simple, practical and powerful tool to help us all start sharing our faith more effectively. I wholeheartedly encourage every Christian to get involved.’
Tim Moyler, of Agapé UK, said: ‘If you are a Christian, and find yourself reticent to talk about your faith (or even if you are ready and raring to go), Living & Telling is for you. We believe that helping people discover Jesus can be done by all kinds of Christians, so this course is suitable for everyone.’
Click here for more information.
• Agapé UK will be exhibiting at CRE South West (17-18 March 2021
Westpoint, Exeter)
Join our mailing list to make sure you receive a free copy of the CRE At Home 2020 handbook, which will be posted in October
Our next exhibitions
CRE South West 2021 – 17-18 March 2021
Westpoint, Exeter
CRE National 2021 – 12-14 October 2021
Sandown Park, Surrey
The begging letter that blessed a nation
Insurance broker Chris Knott thought he was entering a cattle shed in Malawi – only to find out it was a school.
Filled with compassion, the Oxford graduate, who studied law before moving into insurance, sold his business in a management buy-out and set up Starfish Malawi – a charity which has since helped hundreds of thousands of children. It now leads bible explorer classes in 30 schools, hundreds of secondary school students have been sponsored and thousands of primary school children are being taught as UK schools link with them.
‘When most people get a begging letter from Africa it goes straight into the waste-paper bin but 17 years ago Chris wrote a tentative reply to a pastor and then decided to visit a country he had never thought about before,’ explained Peter Bell, head of fundraising for the charity.
Malawi is one of the world’s poorest countries, in which one in four of the 19 million people are under 14 years old. But that simple letter has resulted in a massive impact in the land to which Christian explorer Dr David Livingstone took the message of Jesus Christ in 1859.
Starfish Malawi now run a school-linking programme, currently involved in approximately 30 construction projects, from adding toilets, to building complete school blocks, teachers’ homes, school halls, offices and libraries. A Gateway project provides over 10,000 free reusable sanitary kits to girls and more than 200 pastors are given access to Christian study books through pastor’s resources libraries. Some 4000 children have had nursery education, food, clothing provision and child healthcare.
‘From July this year, four villages in the rural community, with an estimated 13,000 people, will have access to the facilities at our new Hope Clinic, providing free adult and child outpatients care,’ said Peter.
As a response to the recent Covid 19 crisis, Starfish Malawi has provided 80 washstands to be installed in the Salima town centre and in rural areas, together with distribution of face masks, made by a sewing group. The washstands use foot pedals to provide clean water and liquid soap.
‘It’s all embracing – life encapsulating,’ explained Chris. ‘This is a job which demands the whole of you – just to give a bit of yourself is not enough.’
The Starfish story speaks about how even the smallest act of a young child can change a life forever.
‘We can’t help everyone but we help as many as we can – one at a time!’ said Peter.
Click here to find out more about Starfish Malawi.
Photo: A Starfish Malawi nursery education site.
• Starfish Malawi will be exhibiting at CRE National 2021 (Oct 12-14, Sandown Park, Esher, Surrey)
Join our mailing list to make sure you receive a free copy of the CRE At Home 2020 handbook, which will be posted in October
Our next exhibitions
CRE South West 2021 – 17-18 March 2021
Westpoint, Exeter
CRE National 2021 – 12-14 October 2021
Sandown Park, Surrey
Packer pulls out all the stops
From cathedrals to churches, schools to private homes, one man pulls out all the stops to keep the music flowing.
Tony Packer started Viscount Organs Wales 12 years ago, to coax new life into traditional organs or, where necessary, suggest a suitable replacement.
‘We are a unique, refreshing and dynamic professional team of organists and technicians whose aim is to help people get the very best from their chosen instrument,’ said Tony, 59, who took to playing with electronics as a ten-year-old and moved into the business as an adult. ‘We help from a simple home practice organ to school, church or cathedral! We are the only company to offer high quality instruments custom-built in the UK, at surprisingly modest prices.’
Tony, who has 34 years’ experience in the field, worked in Las Vegas – where such equipment abounds in many guises. Among some of the artists he worked for were Sammy Davis Junior, Willie Nelson and Barbara Mandrell – specifically her giant stage piano that Tom Hanks played in the hit movie ‘Big’. He then returned to ply his trade in the UK music industry.
‘We will ensure that your instrument is perfectly installed, voiced and tonally finished to the highest standard when installed in its new home, combining this with technical support and a solid warranty,’ he said. ‘Our in-house engineers are always available to guide and assist you for any operational, servicing and general maintenance needs.’The company can work in any situation, fully ensuring that social distancing and hygiene are top of the list.
‘In these unprecedented times, why not let us be part of your endeavours to reunite our world in music and singing?’ said Tony. Click here for more information.
• Viscount Organs will be exhibiting at CRE South West (17-18 Mar 2021, Westpoint, Exeter)
Photo: Members of Carmel Baptist Chapel in Pontrhydfendigaid in Ceredigion, Wales with their Viscount Chorum 40 – a very popular model in Welsh chapels.
Join our mailing list to make sure you receive a free copy of the CRE At Home 2020 handbook, which will be posted in October
Our next exhibitions
CRE South West 2021 – 17-18 March 2021
Westpoint, Exeter
CRE National 2021 – 12-14 October 2021
Sandown Park, Surrey
Read yourself away from the jaws of fear
A real privilege to help nurture faith in times of crisis and point people to Jesus.
That’s how Michael Belcher has summed up his role as marketing manager at publishers Lion Hudson during the pandemic.
‘Being locked in for long periods has meant books have become more important than ever,’ said Michael. ‘We praise God that we are able to continue to publish titles that support and encourage. Covid-19 has served us with a stark reminder of our mortality but we believe some of our new books can help to ease some of the frustration and fear.’
In an intensely personal journal, Malcolm Duncan’s Good Grief guides the reader through grief and loss, examining how it changes us and affirms that God is with us every step of the way.
In a forthcoming title, What Good is God?, Professor Robert White and Reverend Doctor Roger Abbott bring together a variety of voices to explore how we respond to tragedies, from both practical and faith-led viewpoints.
The children’s publishing team has listened to requests from parents, teachers and children’s workers for books that open a dialogue with children about mental health and emotional well-being. To that end, Debbie Duncan has launched God Cares, a new series for children which provides a biblical approach to discussing emotions and behaviour.
The series works at two levels: illustrated readers aimed at 5 to 7-year-olds and chapter books aimed at 8+ years. Additionally, The Good Thing About Bad Days by Margaret McAllister is a warm, practical book full of advice, suggested activities and encouraging messages to help young children (5 to 9 years) express and cope with their emotions.
Click here for more information. If you sign up to Lion Hudson’s newsletter you will receive a free ebook.
• Lion Hudson are exhibiting at CRE National 2021 (12-14 Oct)
Join our mailing list to make sure you receive a free copy of the CRE At Home 2020 handbook, which will be posted in October
Our next exhibitions
CRE South West 2021 – 17-18 March 2021
Westpoint, Exeter
CRE National 2021 – 12-14 October 2021
Sandown Park, Surrey
Making a difference this Christmas is on the cards
If your church sends greetings cards to the local community, there are 50,000 reasons why you should source them from Just Cards Direct.
The company was established in 2007 and designs and sells high-quality Christian cards and gifts.
‘We support craft projects in Africa,’ said the company’s founder Anne Stiles. ‘So far we have donated £50,000 to Christian charities.’ Having received numerous requests for their products, Just Cards now offer a dedicated churches’ account and discount.
‘You will receive 25 per cent off all of our products, including cards, notebooks, colouring products, colouring pencils, coasters, mugs, keyrings and lots more,’ said Anne.
There’s also an invoice facility with 30 days’ free credit, which means no delay in getting your supplies.
‘Even if you’ve never sent cards before as a church, this year might be a good time to start,’ said Anne. ‘With thousands of people isolated in their homes through Covid-19, why not send a Christmas card to those in your parish, or a small gift hamper to a struggling family?’
For more information click here.
Join our mailing list to make sure you receive a free copy of the CRE At Home 2020 handbook, which will be posted in October
Our next exhibitions
CRE South West 2021 – 17-18 March 2021
Westpoint, Exeter
CRE National 2021 – 12-14 October 2021
Sandown Park, Surrey
Trust130: Insure your house and bless your church
One church in Leicestershire is staying at the heart of the community, thanks in part to a leading insurance company.
St Catherine’s Church, in Burbage near Hinckley, recently refurbished its kitchen – and £910 from Ecclesiastical Insurance came in very handy during the process.
Under Ecclesiastical’s Trust130 campaign, every time a new customer takes out a new home insurance policy the company offers to donate £130 to the church or cathedral of the customer’s choice.
‘Trust130 has been great for us,’ said Revd Andrew Hall, rector of St Catherine’s. ‘We have run a regular advert in our parish magazine, put posters in the porch and mentioned it in services. The response has been really terrific.
‘The kitchen is very important to the church members and also to the wider community. In normal times, we use it for luncheon and parent-and-toddler clubs, the Mothers’ Union, the WI, the choir, bell ringers… you name it, they’re in there!
‘It was looking very tired and in need of updating but with the help of the Ecclesiastical money and other donations we now have a space that is very modern and fit-for-purpose.’
Trust130 was launched in 2017, to celebrate Ecclesiastical’s 130th anniversary. To date, the company has given more than £325,000 to 845 parishes around the UK. Click here for more information.
• Ecclesiastical Insurance will be exhibiting at CRE National 2021 (Sandown Park, Esher, Surrey 12-14 Oct)
Join our mailing list to make sure you receive a free copy of the CRE At Home 2020 handbook, which will be posted in October
Our next exhibitions
CRE South West 2021 – 17-18 March 2021
Westpoint, Exeter
CRE National 2021 – 12-14 October 2021
Sandown Park, Surrey
Hoops, hope and a helping hand
The tranquil croquet lawn at the College of St Barnabas has seen little action this summer – another casualty of Covid-19!
The college is still a haven for some 60 elderly people, however, just as Canon William Cooper planned when he started the home in 1895.
‘Despite restrictions on visitors, and face-masks hiding the features of the staff, it is still a place to which Anglican clergy can retire and feel relaxed,’ explained Mike Herbert, a manager at the college.
The virus forced the college to cancel events during the annual Patronal Festival Week in June. This year sees the College celebrate its 125th anniversary.
‘We had a whole string of events planned to mark the milestone,’ explains Mike, ‘but the only one that could go ahead was my own 125km sponsored walk.’
Fr Kevin Scully, warden at the college, said: ‘Meeting the social welfare and healthcare needs of an ageing population is one of the major challenges of our time and the emergence of Covid-19 has made it all the more difficult.’
A one-time journalist and actor, Kevin moved from Australia to the UK to train for the priesthood and served as curate and rector for many years in London’s inner city, before taking on the challenge of leading the college.
‘There are significant number of Anglican clergy approaching retirement over the next decade and many will have inadequate retirement provision,’ he pointed out. ‘People also wish to remain in their own homes for as long as they are independent enough to do so but when they do need care it often has to be more specialised care because of their advancing years. Both are capacity and cost issues that need to be addressed urgently – the clock is ticking.’
The College of St Barnabas, a community of retired ordained and lay Anglicans, is an independent charitable care provider.
While Covid-19 makes it much more difficult for the dedicated staff to achieve the college’s worldwide mission, it is a place which offers comfort and care to those in need.
All those years ago Canon Cooper saw many former priests in the workhouse. His determination to prevent that led to the college’s formation. 125 years on, clerical poverty still exists and the need is ever-present.
Click here for more information.
• The College of St Barnabas will be exhibiting at CRE South West 2021 (Westpoint, Exeter, 17-18 Mar) and CRE National 2021 (Sandown Park, Esher, Surrey, 12-14 Oct)
Join our mailing list to make sure you receive a free copy of the CRE At Home 2020 handbook, which will be posted in October
Our next exhibitions
CRE South West 2021 – 17-18 March 2021
Westpoint, Exeter
CRE National 2021 – 12-14 October 2021
Sandown Park, Surrey
Three vicars discuss the ‘pillars of priesthood’
It’s an unlikely title for a BBC radio series but the formula has proved so popular that a book containing the best moments is launched next week.
Three Vicars Talking (SPCK) brings together Revd Richard Coles who particularly loves funerals (‘where you go into the mystery of God’), Revd Giles Fraser who loves baptisms (‘where you enter into the body of Christ, you’re reborn’) and Revd Kate Bottley who particularly loves weddings (‘they have really good canapes and champagne and I get to wear nice shoes!’)
‘Baptisms, weddings and funerals are the three great pillars of our job,’ said Coles, who has reported from CRE for BBC Radio 4. ‘I think funerals are the greatest privilege of what we do’. The three share stories of poignant deathbed moments and funerals which didn’t go quite to plan. They discuss handling pain and fear, funeral etiquette, unusual requests and funerals which have been especially hard – including Fraser burying his best friend and having a crisis of faith after a child’s funeral – as well as their often-outrageous plans for their own ‘sending off’.
Covering marriage, the three discuss unusual wedding requests, including Coles being asked to dress as Long John Silver for a pirate-themed wedding. Bottley, who was a special guest at National CRE in 2015, divulges her wedding ‘tool kit’ (including sewing kit, spare shoes and socks, and a spanner). Ultimately, all three agree that weddings can be ‘utterly beautiful and wonderful.’
The three discuss baptising premature babies and baby loss with Fraser sharing how the death of his brother as a baby still has a lasting impact on him. Yet there is time too for discussing lighter subjects, including unusual baby names and traditions, the logistics of baptising babies when you’re short and a lively discussion about favourite fonts!
Reflecting during lockdown, the three consider Easter 2020 to be ‘the weirdest in our careers’ (Coles), while Fraser describes it as ‘the most Eastery, certainly the most Lenten Lent I’ve ever been through’.
The three also consider what the church will look like post-lockdown, sharing their hopes and fears.
Click here for more information.
Photo: Neil Morrow, BBC
Join our mailing list to make sure you receive a free copy of the CRE At Home 2020 handbook, which will be posted in October
Our next exhibitions
CRE South West 2021 – 17-18 March 2021
Westpoint, Exeter
CRE National 2021 – 12-14 October 2021
Sandown Park, Surrey
Against the pandemic odds, the (plain) truth is out there
One magazine received an unexpected boost during lockdown with more requests to reproduce its articles.
‘Shortly after attending Midlands CRE in March, as lockdown descended, an encouraging pattern emerged amongst some elderly readers,’ said Mary Hammond, editor of The Plain Truth.
Throughout the pandemic, government guidance has meant that the majority of church members aged over 70 have been unable to attend services, personal prayer activities or other events in person.
‘We’ve witnessed a growing number of requests to use or reproduce our articles,’ said Mary. ‘We’ve also seen a huge rise in the number of requests – 900 to date – for our free book of inspiring articles previously appearing in our magazine by Rev Roy Lawrence.’
One housebound 93-year-old widow in the Midlands was so inspired by Roy’s book that she asked for another copy to go to a frail (non-Christian) friend in hospital to ‘give her some Christian encouragement in her time of need’.
One 95-year-old man, Mr AJM, wrote: ‘Brother David Jardine’s article is the best summing-up call to current effective prayer I have seen. I would like permission to share his “Lessons learned” in my next prayer letter.’
A delighted Mary commented: ‘The pandemic has meant that many elderly Christians may indeed be restricted – but not restrained – from sharing their zeal for the Gospel.’
• For a free subscription to The Plain Truth, click here
Join our mailing list to make sure you receive a free copy of the CRE At Home 2020 handbook, which will be posted in October
Our next exhibitions
CRE South West 2021 – 17-18 March 2021
Westpoint, Exeter
CRE National 2021 – 12-14 October 2021
Sandown Park, Surrey