CRE News

ByDave Hall

Gos called home

Tributes are pouring in for Gospatric Home, founder of the Christian Resources Exhibition, who died on Easter Saturday, 11 April.

Known simply as ‘Gos’, the 87-year-old had heart surgery before Easter and returned home from hospital to recover but was re-admitted on Good Friday with complications and died shortly afterwards.

His son, Olly, diocesan secretary of the diocese of Bristol said: ‘He was a man full of hope and love, always seeing life, potential and giving thanks in all circumstances. He achieved so much for so many. We’ll miss him so much and it is tough not to be together while we trust he is risen in glory.’

Theologian John Drane said: ‘Gos was a true Christian entrepreneur if ever there was one. He certainly made a difference to very many lives, including mine. May he rest in peace and rise in glory.’

Cindy Kent MBE said: ‘Gos was a great man who made such a contribution to Christianity in the UK. He was a real visionary. I was sad to hear this news.’

Singer Sandra Godley said: ‘We owe a rich depth of gratitude to a wonderful person.’

It was while recovering from a hip replacement operation many years before that Gos heard someone say ‘pick up and read’ – the same words given to St Augustine. But where Augustine picked up the Bible, Gos took hold of the UK Christian Handbook!

‘It wasn’t the voice of God but Ernie Barnett, owner of a chain of Christian bookshops!’ recalled Gos. ‘Laid up for days on end, Ernie suggested I read the UK Christian Handbook. I did – from cover to cover. There were 5,000 entries spanning an unbelievable range of publishers, church suppliers, charities, architects, missions, newspapers, magazines, bookshops and much more. I realised there was no event where they could bring their products, services and ideas to the churches that needed to see them.’ 

In such unlikely circumstances, CRE, Europe’s leading series of Christian exhibitions, was conceived. The last exhibition Gos attended, as honorary president, was CRE National 2019 at Sandown Park, Esher, Surrey.

Steve Goddard, owner of CRE, said: ‘I was privileged to attend the first exhibition in London in 1985, never dreaming I would one day own it. Gos had the heart of a lion and the tenacity of a terrier. But above all he was a gentleman in the true meaning of the term. He played a quiet but pivotal role in transforming the face of the UK church through CRE. Tens of thousands of people have benefitted from his vision.

‘Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Diana and the whole Home family, especially at this time of enforced social isolation.’

ByDave Hall

Discovering church resources for lockdown

There is nothing good about this virus – but that does not mean good cannot come out of it. So said Rev Stephen Cottrell, Archbishop-designate of York, recently. With a prime minister in intensive care, millions at home on furlough, NHS staff under intense pressure and major religious, social and sporting events cancelled – this year’s Holy Week finds us all in unprecedented territory.

However, lockdown hasn’t meant a let-up in local ministry. Video conferencing has been available to churches for many years but until now has been taken up by relatively few. Now hundreds are reaching out beyond the church walls through Zoom – and doing worship and mission in a new and creative way. 

We think this exciting wave of innovation deserves to be highlighted, so we’ve produced the resource list below, featuring initiatives from our exhibitors to help you and your church during lockdown. Follow the links for more information – and if you use the resources, please let the providers know CRE sent you!

Church resources for lockdown

Need help webcasting or streaming your services? Novum AV will be more than happy to help!

You can now stream or webcast services legally, thanks to CCLI. Previously, it had only been possible to stream or webcast audio that included copyrighted songs.

Churches are invited to use iKnow Church at no cost until 30 Sep 2020 – to communicate more effectively with members, communities, accept online donations, message small groups and much more.

Stewardship are answering key questions currently facing churches concerning finances, paying staff, Gift Aid and emergency help to those in need.

Access Insurance are working with insurers to relax the normally very specific policy conditions where church buildings are not in regular use.

Youth for Christ have released videos specifically designed for 7-11s, 11-18s and families – to help us ‘stay in continuous communication and togetherness’. 

For those facing social isolation, the Open Bible Trust have made 100 Bible puzzles available free of charge. 

CPO are offering a list of links to resources, ideas and tools for use during the lockdown.

Forge Leadership Consultancy are running a series of six webinars at 3pm every Thursday until 7th May to help relationships thrive during social distancing. 

Home schooling? Check out a list of Easter-based resources from Meaningful Chocolate.

CRE in 2020 and 2021

As for the exhibition itself – we expect CRE National 2020 (13-15 October, Sandown Park, Surrey) to go ahead as normal, but are reviewing the situation continually and expect to make a final decision sometime in June, based on government advice. Your thoughts and prayers for the team at a difficult time are appreciated.

Whatever happens, CRE will stay in business – whether our next exhibition is at Sandown Park in October, or at Westpoint, Exeter, on 17-18 March 2021.

As Bishop Stephen rightly says – great things come out of situations that seem hopeless. But isn’t that what Easter is all about?

Photos by BRUNO CERVERA and Annie Spratt on Unsplash

ByCRE

Is Covid-19 driving you up the pole? You’re in good company

Simeon the Stylite (who died on 2 September 459 aged 68) was a big fan of self isolation. He spent 37 years alone on a platform one metre square, at the top of a pillar 50 feet high in Telanissa (modern-day Taladah in Syria). Boys from the nearby village would pass him parcels of bread and goats’ milk and he spent the days praying and talking to visitors brave enough to climb the ladder.

We may consider Simeon’s self-imposed asceticism as eccentric but it is said his preaching ‘conveyed temperance and compassion and was marked with common sense and freedom from fanaticism.’ Perhaps Simeon’s isolation meant he discovered truths impossible to acquire in the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

While we all wish for a swift end to these unprecedented times, we would do well to see such trying circumstances as an opportunity to learn important lessons about ourselves – and in so doing experience the grace of God anew (see James 1:2). In turn, we will become a richer blessing to others.

As a team, we’ve practised intense social isolation since taking over CRE four years ago! None of us lives within 40 miles of the other and, working from home, we use all methods of electronic communication currently available to us. However, we are well aware that for many individuals and organisations it is a very different story. The Coronavirus crisis has put many endeavours at serious risk, long-term. We expect CRE National 2020 (13-15 October, Sandown Park, Surrey) to go ahead as normal, but we are reviewing the situation on a daily basis and expect to make a final decision sometime in June.

Whatever happens, CRE will stay in business – whether our next exhibition is at Sandown Park in October, or at Westpoint, Exeter, on 17-18 March 2021. 

It’s been encouraging to see several of our exhibitors going out of their way to help local churches in these extraordinary times. Novum AV and Church Edit, for example, have introduced special facilities to enable churches to communicate more effectively, by way of improved websites and broadcasting services. We will be publicising similar initiatives over the next few weeks – so check back often!

In conclusion, we would like to thank you again for your continued support. We are especially mindful of people attempting to work from home who have young children around their legs and, like Simeon the Stylite, are also going up the pole!

With every blessing

Steve Goddard
Owner/MD
Christian Resources Exhibitions Ltd

ByDave Hall

CRE Midlands – vibrant in spite of the virus

Organisers of CRE Midlands (4/5 Mar, NAEC, Stoneleigh Park) were encouraged by a positive response from exhibitor and visitor alike after fearing the worst from coverage surrounding the Coronavirus.

‘We groaned when, just before the exhibition opened, we heard the London Book Fair had been cancelled,’ admitted managing director Steve Goddard. ‘Several emails arrived from people who had pre-registered for the exhibition, apologising that they weren’t going to come because of the health risk. And those were just the ones who thought to tell us!

‘However, as we know from putting on the exhibition for more than three decades, the quality of enquirer matters far more than quantity. While visitor numbers were understandably lower than we had originally anticipated, enough decision-makers came to make the event a genuine success.’

Almost half the visitors had never been to a CRE anywhere before. 

‘Virtually every exhibitor told us our visitors were like sponges – determined to soak up new ideas, products and services,’ said Steve. ‘For that, we were truly thankful.’

Media coverage of the exhibition was extensive. As well as previews in periodicals like Church Times, Church of England Newspaper and Methodist Recorder, CRE Midlands was covered on nine BBC local radio stations and gained column inches in several regional newspapers including the Sunday Mercury, Coventry Observer, Rugby Advertiser and Warwick Courier. ITV’s Midlands Today filmed the exhibition and ran a feature twice in its regional news bulletin. The Daily Telegraph made a major splash of it all.

Dozens of stand bookings were taken for the next two exhibitions – CRE National at Sandown Park (13-15 Oct 2020) and CRE South-West at Westpoint, Exeter (17-18 Mar 2021).

‘We are grateful to everyone involved at Stoneleigh Park for backing us through a difficult few days,’ said Steve. ‘We are praying that the Coronavirus crisis will be over before CRE National at Sandown Park (13-15 Oct 2020) – not just for our sakes but for thousands of other event organisers worldwide.’

ByCRE

CRE Midlands and coronavirus: We’re going ahead as planned

A number of people have asked whether the Christian Resources Exhibition (CRE Midlands, 4-5 March) is going ahead, because there is so much in news about the effect of Coronavirus in other countries.

We want to assure everyone that the exhibition is going ahead as planned and we and our 150 exhibitors look forward to welcoming you.

The safety of visitors and exhibitors is at the forefront of everything we do. The UK risk level for coronavirus has been increased from low to moderate. However, the risk to individuals has not changed and remains low.

We are closely following government/medical advice and will have hand sanitisers in place around the hall. We ask all visitors to also adhere to the recommended common-sense advice about personal hygiene.

ByDave Hall

Why cancer won’t stop Deborah strutting her stuff

Being diagnosed with peritoneal cancer will not stop one determined lady from strutting her stuff as a model next week.

Rev Deborah Sandercock, priest-in-charge at St. Margaret’s and St. George’s in Prestwich, Manchester, will join up to a dozen other clerics for Clergy on the Catwalk, a special presentation of ecclesiastical clothing at CRE Midlands (11am, Wed 4 Mar).

‘The cancer has involved intensive treatment and I have lost my hair twice,’ said Deborah. ‘I went from blonde/fair to black, then no hair at all. One of the reasons for being involved in the catwalk is to show it is possible to live a full life with cancer.

‘Physical and emotional changes in the body can result in diminishing self-esteem, so it is important to demonstrate you are the same person inside. As a vicar, I want to be easily recognisable for my role but I also want to bring brightness, colour and hope, especially to those living with the disease. My congregation never know what hat, hair colour or wig I am going to be wearing – but by doing so I am allowing people to talk about it and my faith and role as vicar.’

A wide variety of formal and informal ecclesiastical clothing will be displayed on the catwalk by leading ecclesiastical textile designers like Hayes and Finch, Collared clergywear, Rev Naomi Nixon from Coventry and Lottie’s Eco from Stanford Bridge, Worcester, who make clergy clothing out of biodegradable bamboo.

Who’s exhibiting at CRE Midlands 2020
Book tickets for CRE Midlands 2020

ByDave Hall

Be quids in on World Book Day (Thursday 5 March)

World Book Day is next Thursday 5 March and the CLC Bookshop at CRE Midlands is joining in by offering a range of books for children and adults at just £1 each. 

A registered charity, World Book Day is on a mission to give every child and young person a book of their own. It’s also a celebration of authors, illustrators, books and, most importantly, reading. It’s the biggest event of its kind and will be marked in over 100 countries.

‘Don’t miss out on this opportunity for some great bargains, both for yourself and for others,’ said CLC’s Daryl Wearring.

Research shows that parents reading with their children for as little as 10 minutes a day can make a significant difference to the child’s achievement levels and shared reading has the single biggest impact on a child’s independent reading habits.

That’s why World Book Day is calling on everyone in the UK and Ireland to share stories for 10 minutes a day in schools, libraries, bookshops and at home.

• The CLC Bookshop is on stand at CRE Midlands 2020

Who’s exhibiting at CRE Midlands 2020
Book tickets for CRE Midlands 2020

ByDave Hall

Another day, another Collared

It began over supper with simple ideas sketched on napkins but soon their designs were featured on the One Show, Songs of Praise and in Vogue USA.

Revd Sandra Sykes and Sarah Walden, the team behind Collared Clergywear, are a mother and daughter who never imagined they would enter the world of clergy fashion.

‘After I was ordained, I shared with Sarah my dismay and frustration at the lack of choice, comfort and style in female clergy clothing,’ recalled Sandra. ‘So much was merely badly adapted from menswear. Women in ministry were not being truly celebrated and the clothes available highlighted that.

‘We believe that God calls us as we are and wants to help us be more fully ourselves; that ministers are called by God for who they are. Women should be able to wear clothes that, while making them recognisable as clergy, they would normally delight in wearing.’

Rev Sandra Sykes (right) at the launch of Collared at CRE National 2015

Collared, launched at CRE National 2015, is now winning plaudits all over the world.

‘We appreciate how women need to juggle ministry, work and family life,’ said Sandra, a vicar in Great Waltham, Essex. ‘We recognise the modern clergy woman has a calling to ministry as diverse and unique as each woman. She needs clothes that are practical, comfortable, yet stylish.’ 

As a small company, Collared delight in offering a personal touch.

‘Any garment can be customised individually on request,’ said Sandra. ‘There is a choice of sleeve length and pockets can be added to most items on request. Who doesn’t love pockets!’

A collection from Collared will be one of four clergywear specialists featured in Clergy on the Catwalk at CRE Midlands (11am, Wed 4 Mar).

• Collared Clergywear and Hayes and Finch are on stand P41 at CRE Midlands 2020

ByDave Hall

These boots were made for blessing

Join us and trek three peaks in three countries over six days – that’s the invitation from a Christian charity serving Eastern Europe.

Celebrating 30 years in operation, Link to Hope will launch The Balkan Three Peaks at CRE Midlands and want to recruit 15 people to join them in walking the Balkan Three Peaks – in Albania, Montenegro and Kosovo – in September 2021.

The trekkers will traverse the Western Balkans, an area where ancient tracks connect remote regions, and pass through villages, meadows, mountain peaks and woodlands, covering 100km in six days.

Graded four out of 10 in terms of difficulty, the walk is to raise funds for life-changing educational and social care projects in Eastern Europe. Established in 1991, Link to Hope has been working with poor and marginalised communities in Romania, Moldova, Ukraine and Bulgaria. Their projects involve setting up kindergartens, feeding the elderly, house rebuilding, disability projects and working and supporting orphans in the war zone in Eastern Ukraine.

‘For our thirtieth year in 2021 we want to challenge ourselves,’ said Link to Hope’s general manager Lisa Hector. ‘What could be better than trekking three peaks in three countries? We know through our work there how amazing the countryside and people are and we would really like people to join us in this once-in-a-lifetime experience. There are only 15 places and we think launching the anniversary trek at CRE Midlands is the perfect place to do it.’

• Link to Hope are on stand P44 at CRE Midlands 2020

Photo: Ken Spence

ByDave Hall

Beat the gremlins with Novum’s sound advice

The end of the one-man, sound-system operation in churches could be on the cards – along with dated installations which need a regular check.

An annual MOT of your church’s acoustics, along with emergency repairs and training for several volunteer operators, is part of a new package being offered by sound and vision experts Novum AV, a Tamworth-based company.

‘We are instituting silver, gold and platinum packages for sound and vision systems in any church with the option of a thorough check of the system on one, three or five-year contracts for which we make sure the system works and that any hiccups are dealt with quickly on an emergency phone call system,’ said David Sharpe, Novum’s installations manager. ‘All this will mean that churches can trust their system to be problem-free, but if unexpected problems do occur, we provide expert help to sort out the issue. We can also offer training facility in churches in which we use the particular system to help provide extra helpers or cover when the one expert is on holiday or ill.’

One of the constant cries from those who volunteer to operate the many different sound operations in churches is ‘There are gremlins in the system’.

‘Our Beat the Gremlins scheme will be on offer at Midlands CRE,’ said David, ‘where I will be delighted to talk to church representatives about how we can help.

• Novum AV are on stand C11 at CRE Midlands

Who’s exhibiting at CRE Midlands 2020
Book tickets for CRE Midlands 2020