CRE News

ByDave Hall

Go Chatter: Easter Lego project follows Christmas success

The company which brought fun into the Nativity story are about to release a special series of mini QR-coded videos giving a Lego treatment to the events of the first Easter.

Go Chatter Videos exhibited at CRE Midlands 23 in November. ‘We had lots of lovely feedback about the Nativity series from churches countrywide,’ said founder Dan Rackham.

‘The Entertainer toy shops displayed five posters in their stores, each using a QR code to highlight different aspects of the Christmas story.’

Shirley Ashworth, a leader of Mount Zion Church, Cliviger, near Burnley, Lancashire, said: ‘We got the posters at the Go Chatter Video stand at CRE in Solihull and used them in five different places around our village. Parents got as much pleasure out of them as their children! Two Lego Church sessions also attracted a large family attendance at our church.’

It was during his seven years as a volunteer evangelist in Toxteth, Liverpool, that Dan realised the value of videos in working with children – and the way Lego could be incorporated into the mix. Go Chatter Videos was the result.

The new posters will each display a part of the Easter story, using similar Lego characters to highlight a particular feature. The Easter material will be available here.

‘There are already a number of videos which churches can buy and download, highlighting different Bible stories including David and Goliath, Jonah, The Raising of Lazarus and the Easter Story,’ said Dan.

In September the company will launch a training course for 18 to 24-year-olds keen to learn how to create Lego stop-motion videos. The Go Chatter Videos material is one of the few ways to highlight the Bible using Lego as Lego’s creators have a policy against making religious sets. A 4,000-brick model of the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris was produced recently, legitimised by the set’s architectural focus.

Tickets for CRE 2024 will be available in the Spring

CRE 2024

Photo: One of five Nativity story QR code posters in a hairdressers’ window with the Nativity in Lego in the shop window

ByDave Hall

More tech, vicar? Kyle introduces a new clash-free Room Booking tool

Following seven months of extensive trials and development, iKnow Church launched their Room Booking tool at CRE Midlands 2023 in November.

Now churches no longer need worry about clashes and double bookings as the tool manages the process. Church administrators can then approve the booking and users can book and pay for rooms directly through the church website.

For parishes in the Church of England, the tool also integrates with A Church Near You.

The iKnow Church team demonstrated to CRE Midlands visitors how the software worked and were on hand to answer questions. They will do the same at CRE 2024 at Milton Keynes (Oct 9-10).

‘We are based in Solihull so it was wonderful to welcome CRE to our home town,’ said iKnow Church founder Kyle Cottington (pictured right). ‘There is nothing like introducing a new product to people, face to face. We had many good conversations with existing customers and met many new decision-makers interested in our software. We are looking forward to CRE 2024 in October when we hope to introduce more helpful services for churches.’

iKnow Church and Church Edit will be on stand F1 at CRE 2024

CRE 2024

ByDave Hall

Trust has high hopes for Highgate House

A high-quality Christian conference centre in Northamptonshire will open this summer.

Highgate House, a new member of the Christian Conference Trust (CCT) family, is a former coaching inn dating from 1663. It has been transformed into an exclusive space for Christian groups to experience residential ministry. With 81 en-suite bedrooms, the venue can accommodate up to 159 adults and 30 children, making it ideal for exclusive-use events.

CCT, an exhibitor at October’s CRE 2024 in Milton Keynes, also run High Leigh in Hertfordshire and The Hayes in Derbyshire. Equipped with large meeting halls, fully catered services and being centrally located, Highgate House will help meet the significant demand from Christian groups for affordable, quality conferencing.

By launching a third centre, the trust will offer 30 per cent more space for Christian groups to benefit from rates that are on average half the price of commercial venues.* This affordability, combined with the warm and friendly Christian welcome synonymous with High Leigh and The Hayes, makes Highgate House a great quality option for those seeking a home-from-home for conferences and group retreats.

John Heasman, chief executive of CCT, said: ‘Having served more than eight million believers since 1910, we are thrilled to announce the opening of Highgate House, our third centre dedicated to serving the church in fellowship and growth. As a not-for-profit charity, we exist to see Christian ministry flourish and believe this new addition will provide a unique and affordable space for groups to gather together and strengthen their faith.’

Highgate House is now accepting bookings and groups are encouraged to secure their space as soon as possible. With wide-open availability, churches and Christian organisations can lock in their preferred dates for this year and 2025.

For booking inquiries and more information, please visit cct.org.uk

* Average saving based on analysis of the per-person midweek price quoted by 22 commercial conferencing venues located within a 90-minute drive of CCT venues on a like-for-like basis. Based on Christian group pricing for events taking place in Spring 2024. Source: CRNet Venuefinder.

The Christian Conference Trust (CCT) will be on stand A6 at CRE 2024

CRE 2024

Picture caption: Highgate House, a new member of the Christian Conference Trust (CCT) family

ByDave Hall

Pop-up shop pioneers set for CRE debut

Churches without a regular bookshop can install a pop-up version – thanks to an organisation exhibiting at CRE 2024 (Marshall Arena, Milton Keynes, 9-10 Oct) for the first time.

10ofthose offer help to churches wanting to distribute good quality Christian books at a competitive price.

‘I was excited to get a role in a mission-based company helping people find books at a reasonable price that explain the Christian faith,’ said John Robb (pictured), who joined the company 13 years ago. ‘We sell books online or arrange for a bookstall with a range of appropriate titles for a church or special event, such as a conference. We have opportunities to sell at large events such as the Keswick Convention, as well as smaller conferences and one-off stalls in local churches.’

Early on in the company’s existence, it sold books and offered 10 copies of one title at a discount price – to enable churches to buy in bulk at a cheaper price. Special offers on individual titles are still a feature.

The company also has a publishing arm. Authors of biographies, children’s books or short manuscripts that can be used for evangelism, are invited to contact the company with a view to having them published.

Jonathan and Roger Carswell set up 10ofthose to help provide biblical books which were easily understood. Jonathan loves putting solid Christian books in the hands of believers as well as those who haven’t yet come to faith. And his love for good books is infectious.

‘We’re a ministry that hand picks the best books that hold to the Bible, then we discount them so more can go out,’ said Jonathan. ‘We use our profits to support missions around the world. We are passionate about what we recommend because we know that, if books point to Jesus, they can totally change a life. We have experienced that in our own lives and we want people to discover that in theirs, too!’

The company will be at CRE 2024 (Marshall Centre, Milton Keynes Oct 9-10). A wide range of books, suitable for all stages of Christian development, will be available and staff will also be on hand to advise on specific publications.

10ofthose will be on stand D1 at CRE 2024

CRE 2024

ByDave Hall

After the Midlands, onward to Milton Keynes

‘CRE Midlands reminded me of the giddy days when it first began – the venue was packed with exhibitors and visitors and there was a busy atmosphere. The whole thing looked great.’

Not our words but those of journalist and communications consultant Clive Price who was around in the days when CRE was first launched on an unsuspecting public in the mid-1980s.

Exhibitors and visitors at CRE Midlands 23

Echoing Clive’s words, Gareth Cottrell, of exhibitors Konnect Radio, said: ‘I just wanted to congratulate you on a wonderful event. We’ve always enjoyed coming to CRE but this year it felt as if you upped your game. It’s been one of our highlights of the year.’ 

Heather Ford, of exhibitors Ecclesiastical, tweeted: ‘Tired feet, completely wildflower bombed out, but great conversations along the way. Looking forward to CRE in 2024.’

The Clergy Support Trust tweeted: ‘It was wonderful to have insightful conversations with clergy, their partners, families, members of their congregations and other Christian organisations.’

Abbi Leverton of Hope Fuelled Design said: ‘I had a fantastic time chatting to people about our work and making new friends along the way! Looking forward to next year already!’

Over the years, and to quote singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell, we have tried to ‘get ourselves back to the garden’ – to be what the founders set out to create: a professionally-run trade show for local church leaders and officers to discover niche products and services. At this, our first-ever exhibition at Cranmore Park in Solihull, we think we succeeded.

In all 1,442 visitors came through the door over the two days, plus 469 exhibitor staff. While the numbers didn’t match the ‘giddy days’ described above, the intentional nature of the visitors has never been stronger. Most of them made a beeline to the stands they had earmarked before the exhibition opened – probably because we sent out the 60-page exhibition handbook to some 8,000 potential visitors several weeks before the exhibition – making our visitors much more business-like.

Juliet Hemingray, Rick Wakeman and Steve Goddard at CRE Midlands 23

Self-styled grumpy old rock star Rick Wakeman opened the event and, to his surprise, was presented with a bespoke richly-coloured cape created on the theme ‘Morning Has Broken,’ a traditional hymn made famous worldwide by Cat Stevens. Wakeman played piano on the recording more than 50 years ago.

The cape was made by long-standing CRE exhibitor Juliet Hemingray. Over the years, the Derby-based textile designer has been commissioned to produce thousands of stoles, frontal, banners, copes, mitres and chasubles and other religious regalia – including the enthronement robes for the former Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr George Carey, and current Archbishop, Justin Welby.

Rick Wakeman plays at CRE Midlands 23

‘It is the first time I have ever made something for a rock star, though,’ she admitted. ‘I hope he will perform in it.’

He already has – on the night following at a packed-out concert hall in Lytham St Anne’s!

With a successful exhibition disappearing in the rear-view mirror, we now ask for your prayers as we look ahead to 2024.

Talking in depth to dozens of the 170 organisations represented, it is clear the current economic climate is still tough for many of them, post-pandemic. Consequently, many have wanted to come to both our exhibitions in 2024 but have had to make a choice between CRE North in Manchester (scheduled for May 2024) and CRE South at the Marshall Arena in Milton Keynes (9-10 Oct).

Because of this we have decided it makes sense to cancel CRE North 24 and put all our resources into making CRE South 24 a similar success to CRE Midlands 23.

It is disappointing to be unable to take the exhibition north again (where it is based!) but we feel this is the best option. We are in the process of informing all the organisations booked for Manchester and hope they will join us in Milton Keynes in October next year.

If you are interested in taking a stand at the Marshall Arena please contact James Batterbee on 0161 250 2306 (E: james@creonline.co.uk).

Steve and Allison Goddard
CRE Ltd

ByDave Hall

Help at hand for ‘vulnerable’ faith workers

One in three church leaders say they want to step down from their roles within the next two years due to job-related stress, according to a new survey.

Commissioned by trade union Unite, exhibitors at next week’s CRE Midlands, the survey reveals that three out of four of those surveyed regularly work beyond their contracted hours. They also face challenging situations, such as providing support to individuals suffering from acute mental illness.

Highlights of the survey of nearly 1,000 faith workers, who are members of Unite, include: 23 per cent struggling to pay bills, seven per cent missing meals and 21 per cent relying on friends and family for support.

Unite is calling on religious organisations to increase pay and reduce workloads. It is also urging them to implement their existing wellbeing policies and assess the adequacy of support systems for clergy. The survey indicates that if religious bodies do not take prompt action, they may face difficulties in filling vacant positions.

Rev Nicky Skipworth, who will be on the Unite stand at CRE Midlands, said: ‘Being truly in the corner of faith workers means not only supporting individual members when things go wrong at work but creating opportunities to speak up for them before that point. By doing so, we gather vital, real-world information which might not otherwise reach those who have the power to effect change in our faith organisation.’

The recent survey was completed by people who are lay, ordained, full time, part time, employed and office holder.

‘It shows not just the true diversity of faith workers, but the actual impact of stipends and salary levels which have made faith workers vulnerable, while they look after some of the most vulnerable people in their community,’ said Nicky. ‘We invite all CRE visitors to come for a chat and find out the concrete ways we can support you and your colleagues.’

• Unite, the Faith Workers’ Branch, is on stand DS3 at CRE Midlands

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

ByDave Hall

Putting mission on the map in Europe

Get involved in what God is doing in the wider world – that’s the message from Transform Europe Network (TEN).

‘We believe seeing what God is doing in another country can really inspire the UK church,’ said TEN’s Melanie Griffiths. TEN’s projects include:

For the Nations

This is a free six-week small group resource to get churches excited about mission. It includes two online sessions where those taking part will connect with Christians in Eastern Europe.

TENteams

TEN is running two short team trips to Albania and Croatia in 2024 and looking for team members. These are: Albania women’s trip 2-9May, to help new Christians learn to read the Bible and to pray. Croatia kids’ camp in July 2024 (dates tbc).

Church teams

An opportunity for your church to send a team to help our partners in Eastern Europe and the Balkans with English classes, kids’ camps (pictured) or evangelism. ‘We can connect you with a partner and help you plan and run trip training for you,’ said Melanie Griffiths.

TENteach

We are looking to recruit new teachers to teach English online to students in Eastern Europe, using Bible stories.

You will meet Nick Clarke, who coordinates our TENteach project, on the TENstand in Mission on the Map at CRE Midlands.

Photo above: A Transform Europe Network kids’ camp in full flow.

ByDave Hall

Christmas 23: ride on Ripple Effect’s wave of change

A range of charity Christmas gifts, helping families in rural Africa, will be on sale at CRE Midlands.

‘Each farmer we work with shares what they learn with their neighbours and communities, and another three families benefit, too – hence our name!’ explained Ripple Effect’s Ann Hatton. ‘Positive change quickly spreads – reaching far beyond one farm.’

In return for a church’s donation, Ripple Effect, formerly known as Send a Cow, will send the church information cards for the chosen gifts which can be displayed for everyone to see.

‘You’ll have everything you need to learn about the incredible impact your gift is having for farming families in rural Africa,’ continued Ann. ‘If you are an eco church, you can even go zero-waste by ordering online and choosing the e-card option. Each gift – a single seed of love – will continue to grow far beyond Christmas Day.’

Garden Twinning is fast becoming one of Ripple Effect’s popular charity gifts. Visitors to CRE Midlands will be invited to twin their church gardens with Ripple Effect this Christmas and the donation of £60 could help a family living in rural Migori, Kenya, with three years’ training in sustainable organic farming. Starting with small kitchen gardens, families can grow enough to eat, set up small businesses, send their children to school and pursue their dreams.

‘Thanks to Ripple Effect, there is a big difference to my family situation,’ said Amaracholdi – pictured above with his wife Milkiyas – from Wolayita in Ethiopia. ‘With new farming techniques, we’ve grown different vegetables such as carrots, cabbage and Swiss chard. Before that we didn’t eat any vegetables at all and only ate once or twice each day. Eating culture has improved greatly and now we even have milk and dairy straight from our home. We have diversified our income so we can eat three times per day.’

ByDave Hall

Try the ‘me and eucharist’ seven-piece sampler at CRE Midlands

Birmingham pastor Bayo Oniye and his wife Bakang, who started their own company creating easy-to-use communion containers, will give away a free sample pack (seven pieces) at next week’s CRE Midlands (8/9 Nov, Cranmore Park, Solihull).

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. 

Bayo and Bakang Oniye

‘I was at a conference where the visiting speaker used a similar, all-in-one-system and realised how useful it was,’ he explained. ‘When I contacted the company I heard nothing, so I decided to create my own, much-improved product.’

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)

Click to view the latest floorplan and price list for available stands

ByDave Hall

Giving online? Keep an eye on those transaction rates!

More than half (56 per cent) of people donating to churches using online options choose to cover the transaction fee, according to research from CRE exhibitor iKnow Church.

By covering the transaction fee, the donor chooses to pay a little extra, meaning the charity will get 100 per cent of the donation – and it will cost the church nothing to process it. 

‘During the pandemic, with offering baskets confined to the cupboards, many churches instigated online giving – often for the first time,’ explained iKnow Church’s Kyle Cottington. ‘People could now donate via the church website at any time, day or night. The money usually appeared in the church bank account within a few days. However, with online donations, there is the added consideration of the processing and platform fees involved with transaction rates. Some providers charge up to five per cent per donation.’

The transaction rate from iKnow Church is already one of the lowest, but by covering donation fees the average transaction rate from May to July 2022 was just 0.97 per cent per donation – with an average donation of £105. 

‘Based on 56 per cent covering donation fees, a church which received 500 donations totalling £50,000 over the course of the year could save over £600, if the fee is two per cent,’ said Kyle. ‘Compared to a 3.6 per cent fee the saving is more than £1,300 per year – enough to buy a decent keyboard, noticeboard or a good supply of coffee for the congregation and community!’