CRE News

Window of opportunity opens for historic care home

The College of St. Barnabas has deregistered its nursing wing and now operates exclusively as a residential care home.

The college was founded by former missionary Canon William Cooper who described himself as ‘a broken man’ from the physical hardships he endured during his ministry in the Australian outback and wilderness of Canada. Back in Britain, he came across other former missionaries and older clergy living in abject poverty and ill-health, most notably in the Brighton Workhouse, and he determined to do something to alleviate their suffering.

Last year marked the 125th anniversary of the founding of the college and Fr Barry Thorley said: ‘St Barnabas has been a life-saver. I’m no good at trowelling sentiment but it’s hard to exaggerate how much this place means to me.’

On a personnel level, chairman-designate Revd David Williams will soon be taking over the reins from interim chair Mr Keith Luckhoo, who has been filling the role since former chair of trustees, Sir Paul Britton, stepped down earlier this year. 

In addition, Revd Derek Chandler has recently taken up the new post of chaplain, part of a structural change which sees the disappearance of the traditional offices of warden and bursar. Longstanding bursar and latterly chief executive Paul Wilkin retires in October. 

‘In thanking Paul for more than 20 years of unstinting, loyal service we wish him a long and happy retirement,’ said the college’s Simon Attwood.

The college council have appointed Mr Monty Erskine to succeed him as chief executive officer. Monty will be joining from All Souls Langham Place where he has been serving as director of operations.

‘We thank our many friends and assure you that the college is in good heart, facing the future with confidence and hoping that you will continue to support our mission to care for elderly members of our church,’ said Attwood.

• The College of St. Barnabas are on stand A18 at CRE National 2021

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China: one door closes another opens in Bible distribution

A Chinese court may have sentenced four Christians to a total of 13 years in prison for selling Bible audio players – but that hasn’t stopped Chinese Church Support Mission (CCSM) bringing similar resources to Christians under immense pressure.

According to Premier Radio, Fu Hyunjuan, 43, Deng Tianyong, 50, Feng Qunhao, 45, and Han Li, 40 run Life Tree Culture Communications in the southeast city of Shenzhen. It produced and sold electronic players which had the Bible recorded in them. 

Fu, head of the organisation, has been sentenced to six years in prison and fined 20 million Chinese Yuan (£2 million). 

One of CCSM’s key means of support is the supply of SD cards (above) containing thousands of resources including multiple versions of the Bible, devotional material, videos, audio files, printable Sunday School material, Bible studies and discipleship material.

The Micro SD Cards are sent to Christians who can use the material and copy the cards for others. There is also a smartphone app – AppSTER – which provides similar help with training, evangelism and renewal material.

All these are provided thanks to the giving of Christians in other countries. 

In the UK CCSM, exhibiting at CRE National 2021, provide material for prayer support and the facility to give financially to enable provision to be extended to those worshipping in China. The organisation currently aims to provide one million of the Micro SD cards by the end of 2025.

• CCSM are on stand U1 at CRE National 2021

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Stream team at your service

Offering exceptional image quality for streaming services in low light – that’s the advantage of a camera system installed by one CRE National 2021 exhibitor.

APi Sound and Visual have been busy fitting cameras throughout the pandemic – including St Andrew’s Church in Cullompton, Devon (pictured).

The system provides two-camera streaming with integrated switcher and streamer. The cameras are both high-definition remote pan, tilt and zoom type. One has been fitted on the gallery face and the second on a pillar with a thin strap for fixing so that DAC approval was not required. 

‘The main benefit of these cameras is that they offer exceptional image quality even in low light, a frequent problem in many churches,’ said APi’s Andy Pidsley. ‘The supplied joystick remote control has a number of pre-set memories so that commonly-used shots can be quickly recalled, with the joystick allowing fine control.’

A four-input switcher and combined streaming unit makes the whole process of selecting a source for the projector and stream simple and removes the need for an additional computer to perform the streaming function. The illuminated controls clearly show the current source and also allow more advanced functions such as superimposing words over images. The unit doubles as a recorder and will record to a USB device. 

A 22′′ monitor shows a four-way split of the different input sources available to the mixer. Finally, a small microphone on top of the rood screen picks up singing and other ambient sounds – just for the streaming audio. 

APi Sound and Visual also provide installation training with on-going telephone support as and when needed.

• APi Sound and Visual are on stand J6 at CRE National 2021

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New directory champions church creativity

The national lockdown has accelerated the churches need to communicate in engaging ways.

So says the creator of the Christian Creative Directory (CCD), launched in April. 

‘The aim of the directory is simple, to champion creativity in the body of Christ,’ said founder Josie Gamble. ‘We’re here to help bring creative energy to your organisation, church and ministry.

‘We want to see the creative culture of the UK church strengthened and if this directory can play a part in that, we will be very happy.’

From animators to actors, blacksmiths to bloggers, dancers to drone pilots – they’re all in the directory. And CCD has also advertised creative opportunities posted by organisations. These have already attracted applications resulting in key appointments. Christians Against Poverty (CAP), for example, needed a writer for a new children’s book.

‘We posted a freelance job on CCD and were blown away by the huge number of enquiries and the quality of applications received!’ said a spokesperson for CAP. ‘We’re delighted with the person we’re now working with. We would highly recommend CCD to other Christian charities and organisations looking for freelance creatives. We’ve already posted another opportunity!’

Josie’s original vision was to have a network, directory and awards.

‘With the first two firmly launched we will turn our attention towards hosting national Christian creative recognition awards to champion creativity in the UK church,’ said Josie. ‘So watch this space!’

• Sign up with CCD now, using a special CRE code CCDCRE, and you will get three months free

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Windrush: looking back, looking forward at CRE National

With Black Lives Matter in the headlines and the Archbishop of Canterbury’s call for diversity in church and society, CRE National 2021 will run a unique, three-part series on the Windrush Legacy.

Sponsored by the Pentecostal Credit Union and Good to Give, both first-time exhibitors at CRE, the initiative will be presented by Roy Francis, a former BBC TV Songs of Praise producer, music consultant and author of Windrush and the Black Pentecostal Church in Britain (Filament Publishing).

It is more than 70 years since the Empire Windrush brought hundreds of Caribbean immigrants to Tilbury docks to work in the UK. The initiative encouraged an estimated half-a-million people to follow within 30 years.

‘There are a lot of misunderstandings about Windrush,’ said Francis. ‘CRE National is the ideal place to celebrate what Windrush Christians brought to Britain and the impact their inheritors – African Christians – are now having on the country.’  

Part 1 – Windrush: Words and Song (11.30am, Tue 12 Mar)

The first presentation will look back at the music Caribbean Christians brought to Britain in the 1950s and 1960s. Produced by Roy Francis and featuring the Ken Burton Singers, the presentation will show how choruses and songs made popular by the Billy Graham Crusades, ‘Gentleman’ Jim Reeves, American spirituals and Edwin Hawkins (in particular ‘Oh Happy Day’) influenced Caribbean worship and remain a fitting legacy of black Pentecostal faith today. Ken Burton is an international choral and orchestral conductor, singer and instrumentalist, who arranges extensively for BBC TV’s Songs of Praise and The X Factor, in which he did choral arrangements for One Direction, Robbie Williams, Christina Aquiera, will.i.am and Rihanna. 

Part 2 – From West Indian to Caribbean Christianity (12pm, Wed 13 Mar)

A mixed bunch arrived in Britain in the 1950s and 1960s – ordinary workers, pastors, nurses, teachers, students and members of churches. They came to help rebuild Britain and brought their liturgy, music and songs. Rev Les Isaac OBE of the Ascension Trust and co-founder of Street Pastors, will show how West Indians established their churches in Britain – and assess their legacy.    

Part 3 – African Churches and their Worship (2pm, Thu 14 Mar)

Why are there are so many African-led churches in Britain today? What do they believe, what is their purpose and why are they growing so fast? What is ‘Reverse Mission’ and why is it central to their theology? Rev David Shosayna, former Regional Director of The London Baptist Association and a speaker, theologian and African minister, knows this church community intimately and will offer many of the answers.

• Pentecostal Credit Union (PCU) are on stand U7 at CRE National 2021

• Good to Give are on stand U6 at CRE National 2021

• Filament Publishing are on stand O5 at CRE National 2021

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Taste & See gets to the root of eating guilt

The lives of a lot of people in our churches are secretly ruled by food.

So says Professor Deborah Lycett (pictured below) of Taste & See, a unique blend of fact and faith helping to bring freedom to lives ruled by food, dieting and emotional eating. 

‘Many of us feel guilty and ashamed whenever we eat or step on the scales,’ said Deborah, who teaches in the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences at Coventry University. ‘This unhappiness makes them want to eat more and they find themselves in an endless cycle of dieting, overeating and feeling miserable. But God wants to set them free! He wants them to taste and see that he is good and that food is good, too!’

Designed with and for churches and developed out of research at the university, Taste & See is a 10-session audio-video, small-group programme that anyone can run! 

‘The programme is not about dieting but learning to eat in response to our body’s natural signals of hunger and fullness, rather than in response to our emotions and what we see or smell!’ said Deborah. ‘The Christian principles of love, acceptance and freedom with responsibility fit well with this and are included in the programme.’

Scientific evidence suggests that for many people, diets are unsustainable in the long-term and yo-yo dieting is associated with a sense of failure which impacts on quality of life. Evidence also suggests that programmes which help us to become spiritually healthy, as well as physically and emotionally healthy, may play an important role in helping with eating or weight problems.

‘Lots of the evidence so far comes from America,’ said Deborah. ‘We want to find out whether this type of programme could potentially be helpful to people in the UK.

• Taste & See are on stand E8 at CRE National 2021

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Former Archbishop to launch second instalment of memoirs at CRE National

In a memoir which pulls no punches, Rt Hon George Carey, former Archbishop of Canterbury, reflects on nearly two decades of ministry post-retirement.

Lord Carey was the first former Archbishop of Canterbury to write an autobiography and has now written a second. The Truth Will Set You Free takes up the story from his retirement to the current day while revisiting key lessons learned throughout his life.

In the book, published by the Barnabas Fund, Carey reflects on aspects of leadership, overseas development, education and mission. He also writes honestly about how, in his 80s, the Bishop Peter Ball scandal came back to haunt him when his permission to officiate was suspended not once but twice.

He launches The Truth Will Set You Free at CRE National 2021 on Thu 14 Oct (11am, Daniel’s Bar) in an event open to all visitors to the exhibition.

• The Barnabas Fund are on stand C5 at CRE National 2021

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Bryn heads to CRE with God on his slide

A guitar maestro with a message has collaborated in lockdown with some of the world’s best musicians for his new album – and visitors to CRE National 2021 are invited to its launch (3pm, Thu 14 Oct).

Ready or Not will be released by Bryn Haworth on his own label, BMH Music. Quoting Martin Luther, Bryn said: ‘“If I knew the world would end tomorrow I would still plant new apple trees today.” God put us here to live life to the full in the light of his coming, and to care for his creation – let’s get ready!’ 

Over the years, the slide guitar specialist has appeared on bills with Led Zeppelin, Jefferson Airplane, Taj Mahal and others and recorded sessions with Chris de Burgh, Joan Armatrading, Cliff Richard and the late Gerry Rafferty amongst others. He has made numerous radio and TV appearances, including the Old Grey Whistle Test, as well as touring extensively with Traffic, Bad Company, Gallagher & Lyle and Fairport Convention.

In 1974 Bryn and his wife Sally became Christians and this powerful experience brought a strong gospel influence into his music. Between 1988 and 1992, Bryn was on staff at the Southwest London Vineyard Church developing worship teams and setting up a prison ministry.  He now spends 75 per cent of his time taking his music into prisons around the country, as well as performing concerts in a wide variety of venues.

• See Bryn Haworth in concert – 3pm Thu 14 Oct at CRE National 2021

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The West Country firm that’s cooking on gas

A brainwave years ago might well have earned Fuller’s Finer Furniture yet another coveted award. 

The company from Weston Super Mare is Bespoke Furniture Specialist of the Year 2020-2021, awarded by the South-West England Prestige Awards. The judges commended the ‘dedicated designers and manufacturers for providing a personal comprehensive and high-quality service.’ But Paul Fuller, who founded the firm in 1985, had no idea which company nominated him for the award. 

‘They didn’t even tell us at the award ceremony!’ he said. ‘A clue might be that they specifically praised our gas height adjustable Canterbury and York lectern.’

The design for that came when the company saw inherent problems in adjustable lecterns.

‘Taking out a peg and raising a lectern before putting the peg back into a different hole – it’s a nuisance during a live presentation,’ explained Paul. ‘We realised the office seats we were sitting on were gas powered by a lever and the pressure of your body in the seat. So we made a lectern in which the height is easily adjusted by pulling a small lever and pressing an elbow on the lectern until the appropriate height is reached.’

It has since joined other award-winning products including communion tables and fonts in cathedrals and churches of all denominations and all sizes.

The firm has also been nominated for a SME (Small and Medium Enterprise) award for best bespoke church specialist furniture.

• Fuller’s will be on stand B7 at CRE National 2021

Photo: Paul Fuller, founder of Fuller’s Finer Furniture

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Bagging a better future

Promise Bags is an Indian business giving holistic freedom to women trapped in caste-based discrimination, poverty and hopelessness. 

‘Our mission is to offer freedom to Dalit (or Untouchable) women trapped in 3000 years of a caste system in which they have been treated with less dignity than an animal,’ said founder and CEO Elisha Cowtapalli. The company currently provides employment for 12 women in a safe, loving and caring environment. The women create beautiful and high-quality leather and jute bags, handcrafted with heart and passion, samples of which will be on sale at CRE National 2021.

‘We produce 100 per cent genuine leather bags,’ said Elisha. ‘Each and every small detail is taken care of. Our dream is to employ 100 women by 2025.’ He brought a selection of Promise Bags to CRE National 2017 – and sold out! He will show this year’s visitors a variety of products suitable for individual, family, church or business needs.

Forty per cent of profits from sales go towards a not-for-profit education project with Dalit children, started 13 years ago (see www.lightkids.org).

• Promise Bags are on stand A54 at CRE National 2021

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