Church takes huge strides to reduce carbon footprint
A church that reduced its carbon footprint by 80 per cent led to the architects behind the transformation being short-listed for a prestigious national award.
Promoted by The Architects’ Journal, the AJ Retrofit Award recognises and celebrates the design expertise behind the renewal and repurposing of existing buildings, setting a precedent for ways to slash the industry’s carbon footprint.
Archangel Architects, exhibiting under the name Church Build at CRE Midlands 2023, did not get the winning entry but as founding director Nigel Walter said: ‘Even being named on the short list was an accolade which we appreciated and was a testimony to the quality of the work.’
The reimagining of Downing Place United Reformed Church in Cambridge, completed in 2021, created an open and inclusive church and community centre. The church embraced the opportunity of redevelopment to significantly reduce its carbon emissions through upgrading the building fabric, installing energy efficient services (MVHR, LED lighting, solar PV panels) and switching to renewable energy suppliers. The absolute reduction in CO2 by the redevelopment has proved dramatic.
At the outset of the project, two years of historic gas and electric bills were compared with Church of England benchmarks which revealed energy use was 80 per cent more than the C of E average for the halls, and more than double the average for the church. After 12 months in use actual annual CO2 emissions were calculated. The church showed a reduction of 80 per cent and the halls a reduction of 77 per cent.
The Rev Nigel Uden, the church’s minister, said: ‘Downing Place Church has recognised that sustainability is a crucial issue for our time, not only for ourselves but for the whole planet and future generations. As part of our response, the church has established a group which aims to help develop our theological understanding of sustainability; take appropriate decisions regarding the church’s own life; act co-operatively with others who share the same goals and encourage personal lifestyle commitment.’
Margaret Reynolds, architect and member of the building committee, said: ‘I examined two years of energy bills in 2019 and realised what a huge amount of energy we were using.
‘We were delighted to find the building retrofit measures we proposed were so effective in reducing the carbon emissions. All the redevelopment work and expense proved very worthwhile.’
Nigel, a specialist conservation architect with 30 years’ experience of community-based architecture, added: ‘One of the greatest triumphs of this project has been that it has acted as a catalyst for the whole church community to embrace sustainability. We have achieved a lot for a relatively small budget though there is always more to be done.’
• Church Build will be on stand F3 at CRE Midlands 2023
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Organisations looking to book a stand should contact James Batterbee 0161 250 2306 (E: james@creonline.co.uk) or Carol Malpass 0161 250 2467 (E: carol@creonline.co.uk)
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Siloam: the ‘kitchen table’ project punching above its weight
Richard Norton is as determined to help the suffering throughout the world as when he set up Siloam Christian Ministries in 1982.
Previously believing Communism was the way forward for the world, Richard had become a Christian and this dramatic change in direction led to his helping a mission providing bibles to countries where Christianity was not welcomed. He then formed Siloam, supporting indigenous Christians working in a variety of countries and recently this has included providing support for those in Ukraine.
‘Not everyone will want to support the appeals for Ukraine on TV made by larger aid organisations because they might feel their modest financial contributions would be miniscule to the overwhelming need,’ said Richard. ‘But, by supporting Siloam you know for certain that your gift, backed up with your prayers, will go a long way to putting aid into the hands of caring believers on the far side of Ukraine.’
Siloam is also helping people after the devastating earthquakes in Turkey and assisting co-workers in Israel working for Love to the Needy – currently under increased pressure as refugees from Ukraine and Russia and other nations have added their needs to the many suffering from poverty in Israel, the land which gave the mission its name thanks to Jerusalem’s Pool of Siloam.
In Israel, the organisation has recently provided nylon backpacks containing t-shirts, socks, rain ponchos and other vital clothing items. Recently it has helped Love to the Needy provide new shoes to children and adults living in poverty in 11 locations as well as three outreaches for street people in Tel Aviv.
‘We might be a small “kitchen table” charity based in Leamington Spa with five workers – three of whom are part-time,’ said Richard, 79, ‘but we punch above our weight in providing for the needs of others in the developing world. We support projects worldwide which do not enjoy the financial support of other more prosperous UK charities and we are looking forward to meeting existing supporters and making new friends at CRE Midlands 2023.’
Siloam Christian Ministries are on stand C21 at CRE Midlands 2023
Book your ticket for CRE Midlands 2023 here from as little as £3
Organisations looking to book a stand should contact James Batterbee 0161 250 2306 (E: james@creonline.co.uk) or Carol Malpass 0161 250 2467 (E: carol@creonline.co.uk)
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Introducing the ‘me and eucharist’
A Birmingham pastor who started his own company creating easy-to-use communion containers, will exhibit his products for the first time at CRE Midlands (8/9 Nov, Cranmore Park, Solihull).
Bayo Oniye explained: ‘I was at a conference where the visiting speaker used a similar, all-in-one-system and realised how useful it was. When I contacted the company I heard nothing, so I decided to create my own, much-improved product.’
Holding a Masters’ degree in medical engineering, Bayo sold hip and knee replacements to orthopaedic surgeons before becoming co-pastor with his wife Bakang, a pharmacist, at Five Grace Church in Birmingham.
Together they started mmeyou – ‘a combination of two words — Me and You – from the words of our Lord Jesus: “This is My body (Me) which is broken for you (you).”’ The prefilled (all-in-one or separate) communion cups of red grape juice have a choice of packaged communion cracker or wafer.
‘Our vision is to serve the local church with a great tasting and hygienically-packaged product, especially important after Covid-19,’ said Bayo. ‘These are Holy Communion elements made from 100 per cent natural ingredients – ideal for individuals, families, small groups, churches and people taking part in services online. No matter how small or great your needs, we are here for you.’
Bayo believes mmeyou products are particularly useful for pastors taking communion in people’s homes.
‘While our containers have a large tag for opening purposes there is also a special pack for people who find it difficult to open the containers with the wafer in a small pouch,’ he explained.
Bakang, who looks after quality control, ensures there are no chemical preservatives in the drinks. There is also up to 100 per cent more drink (7ml of red grape juice per cup) than similar products, with a long shelf-life – eight months from manufacture. The cups can also be recycled.
• mmeyou are on stand DS5 at CRE Midlands 2023
Book your ticket for CRE Midlands 2023 here from as little as £3
Organisations looking to book a stand should contact James Batterbee 0161 250 2306 (E: james@creonline.co.uk) or Carol Malpass 0161 250 2467 (E: carol@creonline.co.uk)
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Eyes down for the next Big Church Read
When Steve Barnett heard of The Big Thames Valley Read, in which everyone who lived alongside the river was encouraged to read Three Men in a Boat, he thought a similar idea would work in a church setting.
‘I reckoned everyone reading the same book at the same time would build fellowship and deepen faith,’ said Steve, who runs St Andrew’s Bookshop, exhibitors at CRE Midlands 2023.
Many years later, during lockdown, he was talking with Andy Lyon from HodderFaith about ways to get people reading. They decided to create The National Big Church Read if they could get either John Mark Comer or Pete Greig to join in. And both agreed! Three years on there are now over 40 Big Church Reads to choose from.
‘We encourage groups and churches to journey through a specific book together,’ said Steve. ‘The author records a short video for each week in which they encourage people to talk about the book. This can be played from the Big Church Read website.’
What has excited Steve is that people are drawn into reading who might not normally – and many read the whole book.
‘In our survey we discovered a third of the respondents said they didn’t usually read Christian books, and others said they didn’t finish books they had started,’ he said. ‘But all the people who did not normally read the whole book, did so.
‘We are hearing of how groups have been drawn closer, faith deepened and lives changed. This is why more than 90 per cent of those who have already been involved in a Big Church Read say they will join in another.’
‘I just want to see more people reading and taking advantage of the wonderful books which are available,’ added Steve.
• The 3rd National Big Church Read starts on May 24
• St Andrew’s Bookshop are on stand C23 at CRE Midlands 2023
Book your ticket for CRE Midlands 2023 here from as little as £3
Organisations looking to book a stand should contact James Batterbee 0161 250 2306 (E: james@creonline.co.uk) or Carol Malpass 0161 250 2467 (E: carol@creonline.co.uk)
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‘Jones the music’ on song for CRE Midlands
With 24 musicals under his belt, musical maestro Roger Jones (above) will bring a Birmingham-based choir to CRE Midlands 2023 (8/9 Nov) for a 50-minute performance of his sixth musical – Saints Alive.
Now 74, Roger recalls becoming a Christian in the late 1960s because of the work of Christian Endeavour. When the mission celebrated its 100th anniversary in 1981, he was asked to write a musical to mark the occasion.
‘As the mission’s motto was “For Christ and the Church” I thought Pentecost would be a wonderful subject,’ he said. Saints Alive will be a revised version of the musical which Roger completed last year, when he added a song and made other changes to the original.
‘It includes 11 numbers highlighting events in Acts One and Two,’ he said. ‘It has a Songs of the Spirit section with a new setting for Breath on me Breath of God and others. Peter’s sermon on the day of Pentecost gives the whole presentation an evangelistic touch.’
The musical has been performed in many parts of the world – including a memorable one in Jerusalem in 1983, the first of many trips Roger has made to the country. His vision for musicals began as head teacher at Aston Manor School (now an Academy) in 1973. The school choir performed Jerusalem Joy – a performance he wrote around Jesus’ ride into the holy city on a donkey.
He then wrote five more musicals before going full time into Christian music, becoming director of Christian Music Ministries, publishers of his music and other books.
Birmingham-born, Roger also hosts Heart and Soul, a two-hour weekly programme on Brumside Radio, presenting church music. In between he chats to guests. He is looking forward to seeing old friends and making new ones at CRE Midlands.
• Christian Music Ministries are on stand DS42 at CRE Midlands 2023
Book your ticket for CRE Midlands 2023 here from as little as £3
Organisations looking to book a stand should contact James Batterbee 0161 250 2306 (E: james@creonline.co.uk) or Carol Malpass 0161 250 2467 (E: carol@creonline.co.uk)
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Why there’s no need to fear the staging process
Be it a choral production, theatrical performance or presentation of ideas, an event is so much better if it can be viewed easily.
‘A stage helps to create the perfect platform,’ said Bill Bates (above, seen at CRE 2022), business development manager at Gopak Ltd. The British manufacturer and long-standing CRE exhibitor has been producing its Ultralight Staging System since 2006 alongside a range of lightweight folding tables – firm favourites with churches nationwide.
One church in Sheffield bought a Gopak stage when Covid-19 struck. For the first time their church services were transmitted online and a stage gave the music group and speaker much more visibility. The system is still in use.
Meanwhile a ladies’ singing group decided a portable stage would enhance their performances and a Gopak system won the day.
‘Our Ultralight staging system, constructed from aluminium like all other Gopak products, is a simple folding option ideal for any organisation without a permanent stage,’ said Bill. ‘It is great for choirs, musicians and performers who go from venue to venue and need to ensure they have a raised stage.
‘We have a range of 14 additional staging packages that include apron-fronted options, catwalks and drum risers. With straightforward assembly and disassembly, Ultralight is ideal for churches with limited time or space. Unlike many other options, our stages are made in Britain with care.’
While the company started in an East Sussex shed in 1954, it moved to purpose-built premises in Hythe, Kent in 1973 from where it has been producing its range of award-winning products.
‘We have supported CRE from its inception in 1985 and it is a great opportunity to discuss new products with a huge number of prospects and existing customers in one place,’ said Gopak’s Diane Ponting.
• Gopak are on stand P65 at CRE Midlands 2023
Photo: Bill Bates, business development manager at Gopak Ltd
Book your ticket for CRE Midlands 2023 here from as little as £3
Organisations looking to book a stand should contact James Batterbee 0161 250 2306 (E: james@creonline.co.uk) or Carol Malpass 0161 250 2467 (E: carol@creonline.co.uk)
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How refugee Maral was embraced and empowered
Maral Berberian (above), who fled Aleppo seeking refuge in Armenia when war broke out in 2011, is now part of a women’s craft co-operative supported by CRE exhibitor Embrace the Middle East.
‘I treasure our group of women artisans,’ said Maral, who learned traditional Armenian embroidery techniques as a child in Syria. ‘The women enjoy their handicraft and the ambience of harmony and joy which they have crafted themselves – with the warmness coming from their hearts.’
EmbraceME, a member of the World Fair Trade Organisation, is supporting social enterprise in the region by providing an international market for fairly-traded handicrafts created by Maral and her colleagues. Founded three years ago by Sonya Varoujian, Noor and Katu create hand-painted rosettes and hand-embroidered felt eggs.
Dan O’Callaghan, head of trading for EmbraceME, said: ‘They source uniquely beautiful handicrafts from fair trade artisans in Armenia. Their motto, “artful giving with a conscience”, spells out everything they do – sourcing raw materials locally, finding talent in rural communities and providing fair wages and safe working conditions for all their artisans.
‘The name, Noor and Katu, translates as “pomegranate and cat”. In Armenian culture the pomegranate is a symbol of life and abundance, while cats are traditionally revered.’
Hand-painted wooden rosettes are laser-cut by women war veterans with disabilities from the Armenian war. Designs inspired by ancient church carvings, cross stones (khachkars) and monasteries are created by Anna, Satenik and Arusyak – art teachers who fund their school, pupils and community in Koghb by selling handmade products.
‘We had to fund the school somehow,’ said Anna. ‘The three of us are art teachers, so we decided to create our own products. All our time outside the classes is dedicated to this project.’
As Dan added: ‘When you choose fairly-traded, hand-crafted decorations and gifts from Embrace, you are supporting the life-changing work that our partners do throughout the Middle East and ensuring that artisans can continue to provide for their families and communities.’
• Embrace the Middle East are on stand E3 at CRE Midlands 2023
Book your ticket for CRE Midlands 2023 here from as little as £3
Organisations looking to book a stand should contact James Batterbee 0161 250 2306 (E: james@creonline.co.uk) or Carol Malpass 0161 250 2467 (E: carol@creonline.co.uk)
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Benefact outrank Asda and churches pocket the difference
Essential support to churches and their communities is now available through new grant-giving programmes from Ecclesiastical, Benefact Group and their charitable owner Benefact Trust.
The Building Improvement Grants programme helps protect and enhance churches and Christian buildings – ensuring their continued use for generations to come. The programme will support capital costs such as essential repairs and improvements, conservation and restoration and energy-efficiency measures. Also, the new Community Impact Grants Programme, which helps projects making a positive and transformative impact on lives and communities, is also now open for applications.
These initiatives come at a time when the Benefact Group has been named the UK’s third-largest corporate donor to charity, according to the Directory of Social Change – The Guide to UK Company Giving 2023/24. This has been achieved by donating all dispersible profits back to churches, charities and communities.
In fact, the Benefact Group finished higher in the rankings than corporate giants such as Vodafone Group plc, Goldman Sachs International and ASDA Stores Ltd. The group has given almost £200m to good causes since 2014 and is aiming to reach its ambitious cumulative target of giving £250m by 2025.
Mark Hews, group chief executive at Benefact Group, said: ‘Owned by a charity, here at Benefact Group all available profits go to good causes, helping to transform thousands of lives for the better. The more the group grows, the more we can give and make an even bigger difference in society.’
Their flagship Movement for Good Awards is now in its 5th year and enables individuals to nominate their favourite charity (or charities), putting them into a draw for a chance to receive an award. This year they will be giving away over £1m in three main ways:
£1,000 draws – nominate a favourite charity at any time for the £1,000 draw. There will be three £1,000 draws this year, giving away between £120,000 and £150,000 in each.
£5,000 special draws – four themed special draws over the year, giving 10 awards of £5,000 in each. The first draw will be launching soon, so keep an eye out on their website for these limited time themed draws.
Larger Grants – These £10,000+ grants are available from July to support larger transformative projects get off the ground.
• Ecclesiastical are on stand P29 at CRE Midlands 2023
Book your ticket for CRE Midlands 2023 here from as little as £3
Organisations looking to book a stand should contact James Batterbee 0161 250 2306 (E: james@creonline.co.uk) or Carol Malpass 0161 250 2467 (E: carol@creonline.co.uk)
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Why there are 29,000 reasons to use a trusted energy broker
When the gas supplier to St Andrew’s Church, Islington, went into administration the church made a sensible decision – to call in a specialist energy broker.
Regular CRE exhibitor Andrew Silley, 64, found the church a more competitive supplier than the Ofgem supplier of last resort. However, due to the company’s poor practice, the contract never went live – an issue which didn’t come to light for a couple of months. Andrew raised a complaint with the supplier, who refused to accept any responsibility.
A former churchwarden himself, Andrew then submitted a complaint to Ofgem who upheld the complaint, found against the energy supplier and agreed to Andrew’s suggested resolution – that the PCC of the Barnsbury Team Ministry should not be financially disadvantaged as a consequence of the ‘negligent’ actions of the supplier of last resort. The remedy agreed by Ofgem is that the supplier has been instructed to credit the Barnsbury Team Ministry approximately £29,000 over the next three years.
The company concerned challenged Ofgem’s decision but this was dismissed and Andrew is now working to ensure payments are made to the PCC of Barnsbury Team Ministry.
None of the staff at St Andrew’s have had to spend any time securing the outcome – they simply had to be patient and trust Andrew’s expertise!
‘Lots of churches, charities and businesses think they can do it best when it comes to renewing energy supply contracts. Why use an energy broker?’ said Andrew. ‘But this episode demonstrates why it is worth getting expert advice.’
Andrew, who has exhibited at CRE for many years, is committed to using his industry knowledge and expertise to help churches and charities get the best deals for their energy. National retail chains, schools, care homes, churches and charities are amongst his customers.
‘I will usually get customers a better price from energy suppliers than they can obtain for themselves,’ he said. ‘I’m also available to be used by my customers as a remote consultant, to deal with issues that might arise.’
Things can go wrong when switching between suppliers and that’s where his industry knowledge and expertise comes into its own. He will never invoice for his services and offers a completely ‘hands free’ service that will save churches and charities time, effort and money. His work saves churches time and the hassle of dealing directly with energy suppliers.
• Andrew Silley is on stand C35 at CRE Midlands 2023
Book your ticket for CRE Midlands 2023 here from as little as £3
Organisations looking to book a stand should contact James Batterbee 0161 250 2306 (E: james@creonline.co.uk) or Carol Malpass 0161 250 2467 (E: carol@creonline.co.uk)
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Pursuing a dream and changing a life
‘Your “student” has done better than she ever imagined possible,’ read the message. ‘We have obtained funding from seven out of 12 applications!’
They are words which blessed Sean Tully, a trusts and foundations specialist with more than 20 years’ experience in grant-making and trust fundraising. Sean now works for CRE exhibitor and sponsor Action Planning, a specialist consultancy for charities and other non-profit organisations.
‘It was a simple piece of work but had a profound personal effect on the volunteer, who prefers to remain anonymous,’ said Sean. ‘It’s always good to hear our support is bearing fruit for an organisation but the message went on to reveal a valuable personal benefit, too.’
The message continued: ‘The whole process caused me stress and angst. As a newbie to the village in which I live, what would it be like if I achieved nothing for the community? I realised there are things I can put my heart and soul into that can turn into something special from a starting point of nothing. In this respect the process has been life changing – thanks to your experienced counselling. So this is a very personal thank you for helping me through the process and for challenging what I was doing, to make it more relevant. We are now obtaining tenders for our project and the whole village is excited about the prospect of a new space for community to flourish.’
Action Planning’s work with churches ranges from very simple challenges like this, to complex challenges such as the successful bid compiled for the Diocese of Oxford in which a £2m grant was won from the Church of England Strategic Development Fund.
‘This client testimony came as a welcome reminder never to underestimate the impact we can have on the people we work with, regardless of the size of the prize,’ reflected Sean.
The thank-you letter concluded: ‘Bid writing is a lonely job and one which I had not tackled before but only by doing the job does one discovers what is involved. I am now thinking about what else I could tackle that I never thought I could do – singing is one of my thoughts!’
Sean commented: ‘Singing tuition in not among the many services we offer at Action Planning, but if our support inspires our clients to sing as well, we’re very happy with that!’
• Action Planning will be on stand B15 at CRE Midlands 2023
Book your ticket for CRE Midlands 2023 here from as little as £3
Organisations looking to book a stand should contact James Batterbee 0161 250 2306 (E: james@creonline.co.uk) or Carol Malpass 0161 250 2467 (E: carol@creonline.co.uk)
Click to view the latest floorplan and price list for available stands