Crafted to be classic and contemporary
Every new chair at St. John the Divine in New York has been meticulously crafted to compliment the cathedral’s existing architecture – and even features a personalised dedication plaque.
‘We are truly humbled that Dean Patrick Malloy and his team chose to work with us,’ said Gavin Duignan, owner of CRE 24 exhibitor ICS Furniture and designer of the ICON 40 chair. ‘Each of the 2000 chairs not only meets functional requirements but is engraved with the cathedral’s memorable rose window emblem.’
Dean Malloy said: ‘Modern objects can be jarring in historic buildings, but the contrast between the classic and the contemporary, when done well, can be extremely pleasing and even evocative. Years of dynamic and exceptionally cordial dialogue between us and ICS has borne fruit. The chairs allow us to stage diverse events – music, visual arts, lectures, panel discussions, and, above all, the worship of God – efficiently and beautifully. We are delighted that the cathedral is ICS’ first major American commission.’
• ICS Furniture are on stand D7 at CRE 24
Photo: St. John the Divine, New York
CRE 2025
To book a stand at CRE 25, contact:
James Batterbee
T: 0161 240 4500
E: james@creonline.co.uk
Moving forward, future proofed
Integrating technology into some of the UK’s most historic listed buildings – that’s the mission of first-time exhibitor FWD-IP at CRE 24.
Future-proofing buildings by enhancing network infrastructure, telecommunications and security, the firm designs and installs state-of-the-art CCTV camera systems, contributing significantly to health and safety protocols, security measures, visitor management and crowd control. Their door and gate access control, barrier systems and automatic number plate recognition technology help manage car parking and secure premises effectively.
In operation since 1992, FWD-IP has partnered with time-honoured institutions such as Ely Cathedral, The Church of Our Lady of the Assumption and the English Martyrs, Cambridge (OLEM), the Fitzwilliam Museum and Cambridge University.
‘We are thrilled to participate in our first CRE, where we will showcase our premier security solutions designed to safeguard places of worship and our national treasures,’ said FWD-IP director Will Everitt. ‘With many venues hosting an increasing number of large-scale events, our technology ensures seamless and secure operations, allowing them to focus on their mission and community.’
• FWD-IP are on stand C1 at CRE 24
CRE 2025
To book a stand at CRE 25, contact:
James Batterbee
T: 0161 240 4500
E: james@creonline.co.uk
Speaksee set to ‘amaze’ at CRE 24
A ground-breaking technology that delivers live speech transcription directly to a mobile phone or AV system will be launched at CRE 24.
Iain Harvey-Smith, of DM Music, believes Speaksee will have church leaders amazed at how it can help deaf people and those who hard of hearing. ‘This is a brand-new product in the UK,’ he said. ‘Seeing Speaksee in action will provide a better understanding of its capabilities than any description I can offer!’
An added benefit of Speaksee is that it can also be an effective language-translation tool for those for whom English is not their native language
DM Music – established over 30 years ago as a dedicated church supplier and installer of sound equipment – is now one of the leading AV system installers with installations in over 3,000 churches.
Adam Lee, the UK regional director for the Dutch-based Speaksee company, will join Iain at CRE 24.
• DM Music are on stand A17 at CRE 24
CRE 2025
To book a stand at CRE 25, contact:
James Batterbee
T: 0161 240 4500
E: james@creonline.co.uk
The long and winding road to Highgate House
The building may date back to the 17th century but it will meet the current demand for affordable, quality conferencing.
So said John Heasman, chief executive of the Christian Conference Trust, opening Highgate House in rural Northamptonshire.
As the newest member of the Christian Conference Trust (CCT) family, which also runs well-known High Leigh in Hertfordshire and The Hayes in Derbyshire, Highgate House is equipped with 16 conferencing spaces, fully-catered services and 82 en-suite bedrooms.
By opening a third centre, the trust has added 30 per cent more capacity for Christian groups to benefit from residential ministry. It expects to welcome more than 25,000 people each year to Highgate House, representing groups from all major denominations.
‘Today is the culmination of years of searching, planning and praying,’ said Heasman. ‘We pray the opening of this stunning country house will benefit thousands of believers in invaluable residential ministry.’
• CCT are on stand A6 at CRE 24
Photo: Highgate House, CCT’s stunning new conferencing centre
CRE 2025
To book a stand at CRE 25, contact:
James Batterbee
T: 0161 240 4500
E: james@creonline.co.uk
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