Be independent – but not alone
Providing support for safeguarding, property matters, funding and navigating times of crisis – that’s how The Congregational Federation can help your church.
At CRE 25 for the first time in a number of years, it provides support, fellowship and learning for some 200 independent UK churches run by their members and will promote its Thirty by 2030 campaign.
The federation also creates opportunities for fellowship and learning via courses, events and other resources, always mindful of protecting the independence and unique identity of each member church.
‘At our 2025 National Assembly we welcomed City Chapel UK into membership,’ Yvonne Campbell (pictured) the federation’s general secretary, told CRE News. ‘We appreciate the vitality and strong Christian witness it promotes and look forward to supporting the church in its work and mission. We are keen to extend that welcome to other churches who would wish to join us for mutual support and encouragement.’
The Congregational Federation is there for:
- Practical support – A broad range of high quality, in-house resources and advice is available from their highly qualified and experienced staff team
- Meaningful fellowship – Members can join with like-minded churches to worship, share, learn, encourage and grow
- True independence – Your church can maintain its freedom, whilst easing many of its challenges
You can pick up an information pack and talk to federation representatives at CRE 25.
- The Congregational Federation are on stand O5 at CRE 25
Main photo: Yvonne Campbell, General Secretary
CRE 2025
See a complete list of exhibitors at CRE 25
CRE 25 is Wed 15 and Thu 16 Oct
Book your ticket here for as little as £3
Where capital appeal advice bears fruit – six years on
The most effective input from a fundraising consultant usually comes very early on in the project – even six years prior to completion.
That was the case at St Cleers Chapel in Somerton, Somerset, where broadcaster Rev Richard Coles is the teaching pastor. The chapel has been part of the town’s Christian heritage for more than 60 years. In 2014 the elders realised an extensive building project was required and were presented with an estimate of nearly £850,000 by a local architect.
Time passed and attempts to secure grant funding yielded nothing. Several chapel members felt that a more modest plan could achieve the required benefits and asked David Saint, founder and then chair of Action Planning, to help them put a realistic fundraising strategy in place.
David travelled to Somerton to deliver a two-day workshop to share his experience of church capital appeals, set out a realistic fundraising strategy and work with chapel members to build a case for support. It was 2018.
Dr Andrew Quayle, Chair of Trustees, remembers it well.
‘David gave everyone a realistic idea of what the project would entail,’ he told CRE News. ‘The money wasn’t just going to come from big donors or grant giving trusts. He said you’ll only raise about 10 per cent in grants – the other 90 per cent needs to be raised by church members themselves. This turned out to be very prophetic.’
In 2022, restoration work began. Working to David’s plan, the congregation had raised sufficient funds to convince five or six grant organisations to put in around £30,000 – in addition to some very generous individual donations.
At the end of 2024, six years after delivering his workshop, David received a letter from Dr Quayle, informing him that the renovation project had been completed.
‘We now have a lovely, refurbished and equipped building with which everyone is delighted,’ wrote Dr Quayle.
‘Consultants don’t often get to hear of the final outcome of their input, so it was a joy to be told that the project had been successfully completed,’ said David, ‘and that the workshop had helped the members develop a sense of what might be achievable.’
- Action Planning are on stand G3 at CRE 25
Main photo: St Cleers Chapel in Somerton, Somerset
CRE 2025
See a complete list of exhibitors at CRE 25
CRE 25 is Wed 15 and Thu 16 Oct
Book your ticket here for as little as £3
Our mission: helping to turn browsers into believers
Helping faith-based organisations clarify who they are, strengthen their brand and communicate with confidence – that’s Bara Studio’s mission.
Based in Bristol, Bara Studio is a creative agency with a clear purpose – partnering with churches, charities and Christian organisations to grow their impact through creative strategy, excellent design and powerful websites. The team brings together strategists, designers and storytellers who believe that creativity is a calling with every project shaped by a commitment to people, planet and purpose.
Their work includes the full rebrand of Baby Basics, the national baby bank network supported by the Princess of Wales, and the development of a new identity for Woodlands Church Family (pictured), one of the largest evangelical church networks in the country.
‘The strategic workshops helped us as a leadership, staff and volunteer team to discover our vision and values, and translate these into a visual identity,’ said
Dave Mitchell, senior leader of the church. ‘The updated logo has a flexibility to serve a growing movement and can be applied distinctively in local congregations. The creative brand system allows us to express our individuality but also our togetherness.’
Bara Studio is now making it even easier for churches and charities to access high-quality branding with the launch of the Charity Brand Accelerator – a proven programme designed to help organisations produce strong creative assets more confidently. You will find out more at the Bara stand at CRE 25.
- Bara Studio is on stand W4 at CRE 25
Main photo: Bara Studio at work
CRE 2025
See a complete list of exhibitors at CRE 25
CRE 25 is Wed 15 and Thu 16 Oct
Book your ticket here for as little as £3
Choose from 50 venues that inspire learning, networking and community
A big, happy family of academic venues – that’s how Rachael Lee (pictured) sums up Academic Venue Solutions (AVS).
‘We’re here to make it easy for event organisers to find the perfect setting – and with members located all over the UK, there’s something for every type of event,’ said Rachael, membership director at AVS. ‘What’s more our team are event experts with a vast wealth of knowledge of our venues so, whatever your needs we will find a stunning space in the perfect place for you!’
AVS is a friendly, not-for-profit marketing group representing over 50 academic venues across the UK, will, once again, be exhibiting at CRE 25.
Since 1981, the organisation has been working hand in hand with its members to connect event organisers with a wide choice of high-quality venues – all at no cost to the booker. From modern lecture theatres to historic halls, from flexible meeting rooms to on-site accommodation, AVS members offer unique spaces that inspire learning, networking and community.
At CRE 25, AVS will be joined on their stand with representatives from:
- University of Surrey
- Roehampton Venues
- Warwick Conferences, The University of Warwick
- Nottingham Venues
- University of Salford
Visitors will be able to meet the AVS team and its member universities in person, discuss event needs, and explore the diverse spaces available – from intimate meeting rooms to large-scale conference facilities.
‘CRE 25 is a brilliant opportunity to connect with the Christian events community and help planners discover venues they may never have previously considered,’ said Rachael.
- Academic Venue Solutions are on stand N1 at CRE 25