Yvonne Bell: how a chasuble changed her life
When Yvonne Bell’s vicar asked her to make him a chasuble she didn’t even know what one was.
‘He had to take me into the vestry to show me! I had no idea how many clerical vestments there were,’ recalls Yvonne, who had switched from attending a free church to join the Church of England. She was also at college studying art which included work on textiles.
Overnight, her life changed completely.
Creating the chasuble took her beyond the canvas prints, posters, greetings cards and postcards she had been designing. Her clerical range now includes stoles, copes, mitres, lectern and pulpit falls as well as church banners painted on silk using permanent silk dyes.
The Rt Rev Sarah Bullock, Bishop of Shrewsbury, recently had a cope made by Yvonne (pictured) to represent the area in which she ministers. Made of dupion silk and lined with cotton, the cope includes paintings of local features such as rivers, canals, birds, animals, ducks – and a green tractor.
‘It had to be green because that is the colour the local farmer drives,’ explained Yvonne.
‘The Bishop was thrilled to bits.’
It’s a reaction she invariably gets when one of her clerical creations is worn in front of a congregation. Based in nearby Deanshanger, Northamptonshire, Yvonne will be at CRE 24 introducing her range of artistic products including greetings cards and prints. She will take orders for clerical items if visitors want a special gift for a vicar or church. She will also have a range of teddy bears available for which she has created special clerical garments.
• Yvonne Bell is on stand A11 at CRE 24
CRE 2025
To book a stand at CRE 25, contact:
James Batterbee
T: 0161 240 4500
E: james@creonline.co.uk
Why ease of use is the key to church AV
Churches don’t have an endless supply of volunteer AV technicians – and that’s where we come in.
So says DSAV’s Dan Herbert (above) in the latest in a brand new series of CRE Exhibitor Podcasts showcasing a range of organisations you can expect to meet at CRE 24.
‘A lot of the audio-visual systems we install are geared around ease of use,’ explains Dan. ‘Nine times out of ten you can simply turn it on at the beginning of the service and turn it off at the end.’
Dan points out how many AV companies will look at what happens in church on a Sunday in isolation from the rest of the week.
‘The Sunday service is the culmination of what happens over seven days in church but what takes place in midweek is just as important,’ he maintains. ‘The verger may need to turn on the system for a service or stream a funeral, for example. That’s where ease of use really has to come into it.’
A lot of the systems DSAV install come with personal training.
‘It always amazes me that there are still churches out there with no system whatsoever,’ says Dan. ‘We’ll make sure we are there for your first service and return three or four weeks later to answer any questions you may have.’
Click here for the full podcast and here for an introduction to all the interviews on offer.
• DSAV are on stand B15 at CRE 24
CRE 2025
To book a stand at CRE 25, contact:
James Batterbee
T: 0161 240 4500
E: james@creonline.co.uk
Konnect Radio: join the journey at MK
This year we are ‘going big’ at CRE 24 – with a mobile studio and full team.
So says Gareth Cottrell (above), who launched Konnect Radio three years ago.
‘The exhibition holds a special place in our heart,’ said Gareth. ‘It was the first event we ever attended and this year visitors and listeners will be able to hear interviews and live broadcasts from the Marshall Arena.’
The station began three years ago when Gareth, 40, used 20 years’ experience in commercial and BBC radio to set up the new station. It provides a regular supply of Christian and
mainstream music, to bring ‘positive, safe, family-friendly content with added fun and laughter.’
Konnect is available over the internet with a series of day-time presenters and non-stop 24-hour music. It now reaches more than 60,000 people across the UK. Evangelist J John presents a weekly show on Wednesdays from 8pm and singer-songwriter Sue Rinaldi presents the Sunday breakfast show from 8am. Gareth himself hosts the weekday breakfast show, waking the nation from 7am.
‘We are a positive alternative to other stations,’ said Gareth. ‘We believe music helps
people on a spiritual journey whether that be through a new encounter or developing an existing faith.’
Anyone can listen via the Konnect app, through a smart speaker (just say ‘play Konnect Radio’) or at Konnectradio.com.
• Konnect Radio are on stand E31 at CRE 24
CRE 2025
To book a stand at CRE 25, contact:
James Batterbee
T: 0161 240 4500
E: james@creonline.co.uk
Talking frankly, what are you here for?
You’re unique – but what has God put you on this earth to achieve?
It was a question Frank Bennett (above), one of the founders of Crosslink Transformation Network, was unable to answer, in spite of being a Christian for 18 years.
‘The question gripped me intensely and I was captivated by it,’ Frank told CRE News. ‘I asked myself “Why can’t I answer this question?”. Surely, I should know the answer. I made a commitment there and then that I would find the answer and in doing so also identified what I believe to be my life mission which is “to help people find their true place in God and to go on to release their full potential in him and for him”. There, in 23 words, is my life mission statement which has guided me ever since.’
Frank’s book Gateway to Destiny is the result of his experiences.
‘It can help you find the answer you want in just a few days if you wish, or you can space it out over a longer time if that is more suitable,’ explains Frank. ‘Either way it’s there for you to discover your “whats” and to define them well enough so that you take the first step on your journey.’
CRE 2025
To book a stand at CRE 25, contact:
James Batterbee
T: 0161 240 4500
E: james@creonline.co.uk
Last chance to nominate your volunteer of the year
You have until this Friday (26 July) to nominate your volunteer of the year, as part of the new Benefact Group Charity Heroes Awards.
Supported by CRE 24 exhibitor Ecclesiastical, the awards are designed to celebrate and support people working tirelessly to make positive change. They are open to charities and not-for-profits, including churches, based in the UK and Ireland. The winners will be awarded £5,000 and runners up £1,000.
With six categories, churches are invited to apply here via a quick and simple form. Here are the awards, and what the judges are looking for:
Volunteer of the year – Volunteers who have gone over and above, making positive impact for charities, dedicating their time and energy to a great cause
Climate action project – Charities which have inspired and motivated action to tackle the climate crisis
Local community initiative – A project which has reached the heart of a local community to tackle a local issue
Digital fundraising initiative – Inspiring digital fundraising which has created new sources of income and motivated supporters
Small charity, big impact – A small charity (with a turnover of less than £1m) that has made a big impact
Charity leader of the year – A charity CEO or other senior leader who is a role model for others by championing a cause and inspiring change
The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony in London on Thu 28 Nov. An additional colleagues’ choice award will also be announced during the ceremony.
Helen Richards, church operations director at Ecclesiastical, part of the Benefact Group, said: ‘We are delighted to support the volunteer of the year award as part of the launch of Benefact Group’s Charity Heroes Awards 2024. This new awards programme celebrates and supports charities and churches working tirelessly to make positive change.
‘Ecclesiastical is proud to be part of Benefact Group, a family of award-winning specialist financial services companies and the third largest corporate donor to charity in the UK. Owned by a charity ourselves, charitable giving is at the heart of what we do. All our available profits go to good causes and the more our group grows, the more we can give.’
• Ecclesiastical are on stand A1 at CRE 24
CRE 2025
To book a stand at CRE 25, contact:
James Batterbee
T: 0161 240 4500
E: james@creonline.co.uk
Worship without the worry: simple, affordable solutions from CCLI
Through a growing number of carefully-selected partnerships, CCLI now offers a whole range of solutions for churches – from worship software to tracks, apps to administration tools.
‘Traditionally, visitors have approached our stand at CRE with questions only about copyright and licensing,’ explained CCLI’s Rich Burrough. ‘But last year marked a significant change, with the introduction of the CCLI Family. A logical next step from copyright licensing has been to empower churches with content that can be used under those licences. Now we want to provide time-saving applications and tools that enhance church services and activities where that content is used. Our DNA is to serve the church and that’s what the CCLI Family is all about.’
First to join was WorshipTools, a small team of software developers who are all involved in worship in their local churches. Central to WorshipTools’ vision is that their applications can be used for free. Having started with Presenter, which is simple, yet fully-featured presentation software, WorshipTools now provides online planning and church database management applications appropriately called Planning and Community, as well as a digital music stand app called Charts.
‘All WorshipTools applications are built with the needs of churches in mind,’ explained Rich, ‘they’re easy to learn and connect seamlessly together, saving time. And, of course, they can all can be used free, forever!’
With the growing adoption of tracks in worship, their next partnership was with Loop Community. Loop provides a range of track solutions, from sophisticated multitracks that can supplement the sound of larger worship teams, to simple Lite tracks, designed for congregations who may not have any musicians available.
‘All tracks are easily customisable, either online, or using Loop’s free Prime App,’ said Rich, ‘making them a more flexible alternative to backing tracks.’
The latest member of the family will be introduced at CRE 2024. Sunday Sounds provides quality patches and templates for keyboards. As sound designers and worship musicians, Sunday Sounds’ team understands the needs and challenges faced by worship keyboard players. As well as their library of sounds and song-specific patches, Sunday Sounds’ solutions include apps, software and hardware to help keys players.
‘Just as CCLI grew out of the need for copyright solutions, the CCLI Family is about providing simple, affordable solutions to the challenges faced by today’s churches,’ said Rich. ‘And not just churches with technical know-how and big budgets. We believe we have solutions for every church, no matter their means.’
And they’re not stopping there!
‘We hope to have something very new and exciting to introduce at CRE 24, which a growing number of our customers have been asking for,’ said Rich. ‘Want to know what it is? Come and meet us in Milton Keynes!’
• CCLI are on stand C42 at CRE 24
CRE 2025
To book a stand at CRE 25, contact:
James Batterbee
T: 0161 240 4500
E: james@creonline.co.uk
Aintree Baptist: scaling the planning application hurdles
Making personal, face-to-face contact with experts in their field is the unique value of CRE – as Rev Geoff Bentley of Aintree Baptist Church, Liverpool found out last year.
He met Mark Newall, director of BCHN Architects, at CRE 23 in Solihull. Their conversation led to the company being invited to plan the remodelling of the Victorian era building.
‘We are now progressing the design towards a planning application via our collaborative design process,’ said Mark. The whole congregation has been involved in the planning process with company experts holding a series of meetings to determine individual church members’ views.
Original thoughts of demolishing the building had been put forward before but these were rejected by the Liverpool planning department. BCHN were asked to remodel the present building, demolish existing extensions and create a new development to include a meeting hall for at least 200 people, various smaller meeting rooms, a reception area, office and foyer café, along with storage areas.
The new plans include redeveloping the present building to two stories, without overlooking adjacent properties, and working out how visitors can park either in the church car park or other nearby areas.
‘It was a long process as we wanted the whole church, neighbours and other stakeholders to be satisfied with the final plans,’ said Mark. ‘We hope to make the planning application in August.’
Based in Shrewsbury, BCHN Architects began life in 1963 as Leonard Baart Associates and has evolved through various changes until becoming BCHN Architects in 2023 following the merger of Baart Harries Newall and Bott Cruise Architects.
‘The collaborative relationship we form with our clients is central to the way we work, with dialogue at the heart of everything we do,’ said Mark.
Pastor Bentley, who took over the leadership of the church in 2017, situated near the historic site of the world-famous Grand National steeplechase, said: ‘We are seeing the closure of many churches and other publicly accessible buildings, but we are growing numerically. We can serve the community in a wider and more effective ways if we have the facilities to support these tasks.’
‘Our job was to provide those facilities and in consultation with the church, that is what has happened,’ said Mark.
• BCHN Architects are on stand F5 at CRE 24
Photo: Members of Aintree Baptist Church consider plans to modernise their church.
CRE 2025
To book a stand at CRE 25, contact:
James Batterbee
T: 0161 240 4500
E: james@creonline.co.uk
Get some sound advice from CRE first timers
From a single lectern microphone to a full sound system with lighting and screens, MTS Live can meet the needs of your church, however big or small.
‘With dynamic lighting and video wall, we were able to create a fantastic party atmosphere for the 20,000-plus visitors to the Big Church Festival,’ said Keith Forster, who launched MTS Live in 2006. ‘And what we did for that event can be done on a smaller scale to make church services easier to understand.’
Based in Oldham, the company, which will exhibit and provide technical resources to CRE 24 for the first time, is heavily involved in providing sound, lighting, video and staging for major conferences, awards shows, exhibitions, festivals and community events. It also has a busy installation department. Alongside the company’s more commercial work it offers support, both practical and financial, to churches and other Christian organisations. A good example would be their continuing work for The Message Trust.
‘We cover the vast majority of their UK events, everything from a small PA system for a day’s work in school or prison, through to larger conferences and outreach gigs as well as completing extensive installation work at their HQ in Manchester,’ explained Keith.
‘Our in-depth professional knowledge and wide-ranging experience allows us to calmly and flexibly meet the demands of our varied clients.’
When The Ark, Isleham moved the growing church to a green oak building outside the village, MTS Live created a full 3D visualisation of the space so the design could be viewed and changes made before any installation work. The MTS Live experts assisted The Ark’s team with the installation, programming and commissioning of the lighting system.
‘We look forward to talking to church leaders at CRE 24 about any problems they may have with their systems,’ said Keith. ‘It will be our first visit to the exhibition and we know that visitors will find us receptive to any problem or proposal. There is nothing that our skilled team will not be able to solve!’
• MTS Live are on stand P32 at CRE 24
CRE 2025
To book a stand at CRE 25, contact:
James Batterbee
T: 0161 240 4500
E: james@creonline.co.uk
From pass the plate to tap the app
The brand-new Tap To Give contactless app from iKnow Church is now available, allowing people to donate by simply tapping their bank card or their own phone against the phone with the iKnow giving app installed.
The money is then securely transferred from donor to church bank account.
iKnow Church is one of the first organisations in the UK to develop a contactless app of this kind, beating many secular donation platforms. With a smartphone all that is required, specialist contactless-giving hardware does not need to be purchased. Many contactless solutions charge a subscription but the iKnow app can save the church an additional monthly payment as it is included as part of the iKnow Church package of resources.
Since the soft launch of the app, iKnow has found the average donation to churches using contactless giving is £8.89 with donations given so far starting at just £1 and going up to £100.
‘Before the global pandemic many churches still had a sizable number of donations given through cheques and cash placed in the offering basket,’ explained iKnow’s Kyle Cottington. ‘Situations surrounding Covid-19 quickly pushed giving to online where donations could be made digitally 24/7, through online banking or website forms. For many people, habits have changed following the pandemic and the amount of people who carry cash continues to decrease.’
Andrea Best of New Life Bible Church, said: ‘As a small church, we were pleased to be able to download the iKnow Church app via our mobile phones, which was easy to set up alongside our iKnow software. Having used it at church, everything went smoothly and individuals were very receptive to using it. Thanks for making this facility available!’
‘We’ve received fantastic feedback from churches using the app,’ said Chris Gibson of iKnow Church ‘Many are surprised at just how easy it is to set up and start receiving contactless donations.’
iKnow Church offer administration software developed just for churches to help with administration, pastoral care and finances. Used by churches in different denominations it was also selected as the Church of England Partner for Administration Software.
• iKnow Church will be at stand F1 at CRE 24
CRE 2025
To book a stand at CRE 25, contact:
James Batterbee
T: 0161 240 4500
E: james@creonline.co.uk
CRE Podcast launched: riding Ripple Effect’s wave of change
An interview with Ann Hatton, of leading charity Ripple Effect, is the first in a series of new podcasts highlighting the work of key CRE exhibitors.
Formed in 1998 under the original title Send a Cow, the organisation helps farmers and families in six east African countries discover the benefits of growing their own food and passing on the skills learned to others.
‘Our three key targets are to help sustainable farming, social development and business management,’ she explains.
Ann (above), who has been connected with the charity for more than 20 years, got involved with the charity because she wanted to play her part in trying to end global poverty. In the podcast she relates how CRE is a key platform at which she can introduce church leaders and individuals to the work of Ripple Effect.
Supporting garden planning, for instance, enables a family in rural Africa to create a small kitchen garden which will provide three meals a day for a family. It also enables the family to introduce others to the scheme. Families learn to build productive farms and adapt to the effect of the climate crisis. People with different needs and abilities get a greater voice and influence in their communities and farmers learn enterprise skills to become resilient entrepreneurs.
‘We are delighted to make Ripple Effect our first showcase podcast,’ said CRE event director Brett Pitchfork. ‘While we are constantly promoting news from our exhibitors in CRE News, over the next few months the CRE Podcast will provide an opportunity for a deep dive into several organisations across the many vertical sectors on the exhibition floor.’
• Ripple Effect are on stand F23 at CRE 24
CRE 2025
To book a stand at CRE 25, contact:
James Batterbee
T: 0161 240 4500
E: james@creonline.co.uk