Webinars prove lifeline for safeguarding trainees
Vulnerable people are still vulnerable during lockdown, so Thirtyone:eight harnessed digital technology to provide vital member training.
Like thousands of other organisations, the independent Christian safeguarding charity closed its head office and training centre in March and staff worked from home. Established for more than 40 years, the organisation works with thousands of member organisations to make sure safeguarding standards are upheld and protected.
‘We usually hold more than 230 face-to-face training courses a year, with up to 40 delegates present at each,’ explained Thirtyone:eight’s Matt Cooper. ‘Because of the lockdown, face-to-face was no longer feasible.’
Their member organisations still needed access to vital training with many seeing an increase in volunteering.
‘We started trialling webinars before Covid-19 but had to fast track these to meet new demand,’ explained Matt. ‘Adapting face-to-face into webinars was not easy with our trainers requiring a different skill set. We also had to overcome technology needs for our users.’
In spite of the difficulties Thirty-one:eight delivered more than 40 webinars between April and June.
‘We also had new business from clients for whom face-to-face did not meet their needs,’ said Matt. ‘We started small and worked up, trialling one course and adapting as we went on.’For more information click here.
Join our mailing list to make sure you receive a free copy of the CRE At Home 2020 handbook, which will be posted in October
Our next exhibitions
CRE South West 2021 – 17-18 March 2021
Westpoint, Exeter
CRE National 2021 – 12-14 October 2021
Sandown Park, Surrey
Beating the path to being truly human
In this time of struggle and challenge, nine sayings of Jesus will help us reconfigure what’s important in the world.
So says author Mark Scandrette, who suggests the sayings – or ‘beats’ – invite us to see things differently. Captured in the Sermon on the Mount, the beatitudes offer a Ninefold Path to what it truly means to be human.
‘The only way to really experience fullness of life is by learning to apply the words of Christ to the messy details of our lives,’ said Mark. ‘There is a huge gap between how Christ calls us to live and how we actually live. The path addresses that gap in gentle and life-giving ways, exploring the way of Jesus with curiosity.’
In a world crying out for change, Mark, who is also the Ninefold Path facilitator, believes the beatitudes offer a way to make change happen, starting with ourselves.
Revd Alexandra Lilley, of St George’s, Tufnell Park, London, said: ‘I really recommend the path as a way to refresh our understanding of how to live the life that Christians are called to – being the hands and feet of Jesus.’
The project is an initiative of Lifewords, who want people everywhere to experience the Bible as good news for their lives and for the world. The Ninefold Path Notebook is now available at just £15 for a pack of five. Click here to find more, order resources, and access free online content.
Join our mailing list to make sure you receive a free copy of the CRE At Home 2020 handbook, which will be posted in October
Our next exhibitions
CRE South West 2021 – 17-18 March 2021
Westpoint, Exeter
CRE National 2021 – 12-14 October 2021
Sandown Park, Surrey
Les lands a grand result for Bournemouth church
No wonder Les Howard (right) and his team are smiling – they’ve won a battle for Immanuel Church, Bournemouth that has saved the fellowship a staggering £100,000 in unnecessary VAT.
‘We are pleased to say we have saved and protected many millions of pounds over the years, including Immanuel where we successfully argued a case at the tax tribunal,’ said regular CRE exhibitor Les. ‘Whilst we try to minimise VAT costs of any project, we do not become involved in dubious tax avoidance schemes. We want our church clients to have confidence in the integrity of their advisers, as well as the quality of the advice itself.’
The vatadvice.org team has recently grown with Les now joined by Rebecca and Nick (pictured). The plan is to develop a larger team, supporting even more churches and charities through the VAT maze.
‘We have leased an office,’ said Les, ‘although, with lockdown, we are not often there!’
Much of the company’s work is advising on property development.
‘Always to speak with us at an early stage,’ said Les. ‘We can provide written guidance for your leadership team or trustees. This gives certainty as the church will invariably need to raise funds. No church leader wants to ask a congregation for further funds to pay an unexpected VAT bill.
‘Many churches are diversifying their activities. Coffee shops, food banks, debt advice, counselling, mental health and furniture stores are increasingly found on church premises. These can have VAT implications, so ask at an early stage.’
Click here for more information.
• Vatadvice.org are exhibiting at CRE National 2021 (Sandown Park, Esher, Surrey Oct 12-14)
Our next exhibitions
CRE South West 2021 – 17-18 March 2021
Westpoint, Exeter
CRE National 2021 – 12-14 October 2021
Sandown Park, Surrey
Flash Gordon to George Floyd: it’s all in Good News
Lockdown meant outreach newspaper Good News published just one edition, rather than its usual four monthly issues – but the September issue is back with a bang.
Having weathered both lack of sales and the closure of its printer, the publishers are thanking God for finding a new printer and returning to monthly publications.
‘As a registered charity we run Good News on a shoestring, existing purely on sales of the paper rather than fundraising, so to miss three issues was a financial hit,’ said editor Andrew Halloway. ‘To see our printer go under was a further blow. But God has taken us through that and many churches who use the paper have kindly given gifts to sustain our ministry.
‘In addition, we took a step of faith in doubling the number of papers we normally give away free to prisons and have seen people also generously support that outreach.’
With the testimony of a professor leading the hunt for a Covid-19 vaccine, stories on George Floyd and racism, as well as a farmer’s testimony as harvest approaches, the September issue is relevant to the times. There is also a sports page, including the testimony of a Nottingham Forest player and an interview with Flash Gordon star Sam Jones – as the sci-fi movie celebrates its 40th anniversary.
Good News is ideal for door-to-door distribution but also works alongside any other form of church outreach. And at only 15p per copy plus p&p, it’s very cost effective.
Click here for more information.
• Good News newspapers are exhibiting at CRE South West 2021 (Westpoint, Exeter, 17-18 Mar) and CRE National 2021 (Sandown Park, Esher, Surrey Oct 12-14)
Join our mailing list to make sure you receive a free copy of the CRE At Home 2020 handbook, which will be posted in October
Our next exhibitions
CRE South West 2021 – 17-18 March 2021
Westpoint, Exeter
CRE National 2021 – 12-14 October 2021
Sandown Park, Surrey
Coming through Covid with a building to bless
Can existing buildings be re-purposed in our brave new post-pandemic world?
CRE exhibitors CPL Architects think so and are taking up the challenge under their new Building to Bless initiative.
‘It has been wonderful to see churches developing a vision for their local communities within the constraints of social distancing,’ said CPL’s Phil Winch. ‘They are delivering new outreach projects through innovative building projects, meeting the new needs of our world.’
With online streaming of services a necessary form of collective worship under lockdown, the gradual relaxation of government restrictions has required a fresh look at how existing physical buildings can be re-purposed.
‘Social distancing requirements effect many aspects of the built form,’ explained Phil, ‘including access, egress, circulation, ventilation and spacing between seating. It all means larger areas are needed for the same number of people.’
Many churches are reviewing their building portfolios to see how they can be modified to meet these important new requirements, suggests Phil. At the same time, some churches are seeing this crisis as an opportunity to achieve a more aspirational vision – to bless their communities with new ventures delivered through exciting building programmes.
A Building to Bless project in Beckenham (pictured) envisages a brand-new facility on the high street, providing a safe and attractive offering to the night-time economy with music events, fine coffee and other social activities to meet community needs.
‘If you have a vision for your community in these challenging times, we would love to hear about your ideas for Building to Bless,’ said Phil. Click here for more information.
• CPL Architects are exhibiting at CRE South West 2021 (Westpoint, Exeter, 17-18 Mar) and CRE National 2021 (Sandown Park, Esher, Surrey Oct 12-14)
Join our mailing list to make sure you receive a free copy of the CRE At Home 2020 handbook, which will be posted in October
Our next exhibitions
CRE South West 2021 – 17-18 March 2021
Westpoint, Exeter
CRE National 2021 – 12-14 October 2021
Sandown Park, Surrey
Let your light shine (and don’t be LED astray)
Most of us fail to consider how much oil our church lighting burns – not the refined hydrocarbon found in traditional oil-burning lamps but the environmental cost of the energy used by everyday light bulbs.
‘On average, churches in the UK use between 22,000 and 30,000 kWh of electricity annually,’ said David Burch of CES, a lighting design and installation practice with teams dedicated to re-lighting heritage churches. ‘To put this in perspective you could make two million cups of coffee with this energy, which in the C of E is probably about right!’
Worryingly, this is also equivalent to 2,800 litres of oil being burnt and expelled into the atmosphere. And although the UK government has made inroads into green and renewable energies, the jury’s still out on whether we’ll meet the 30 per cent target by the end of 2020. So how can churches play their part?
‘New technologies can allow us to cut lighting energy consumption by 90 per cent,’ said David. ‘At CES we understand the importance of system longevity with minimal maintenance. Churches are charities and we appreciate the importance of value for money where budgets are tight. We also understand how lighting can be used architecturally and impact worship for good.
‘New LED lighting should not be entertained without careful consideration and professional assistance. Many quick swaps or poorly-designed schemes are a false economy!’
• CES Lighting are exhibiting at CRE National 2021 (12-14 Oct 2021). For more information click here.
Join our mailing list to make sure you receive a free copy of the CRE At Home 2020 handbook, which will be posted in October
Our next exhibitions
CRE South West 2021 – 17-18 March 2021
Westpoint, Exeter
CRE National 2021 – 12-14 October 2021
Sandown Park, Surrey
Single people: don’t lock them out during lockdown
The Single Friendly Church campaign has worked harder than ever during lockdown.
‘We are only too aware that single Christians may feel especially lonely, isolated and frustrated – whether they are living with others or indeed by themselves,’ said Amelia Gosal, executive director of Single Friendly Church. ‘In the UK 40 per cent of the adult population are single. For many not being able to go to church and meet regularly with other Christians will have had negative impacts for their mental health, spirituality and general wellbeing.’
The organisation has created a series of five-minute videos featuring single Christians who talk about how they are looking after themselves spiritually. They also share top tips on surviving during these unprecedented times.
The first video was created by Kate Wharton, vicar of St. Bart’s in Roby, Liverpool and author of Single Minded: being single, whole and living life to the full.
‘As a well-known voice on Christian singleness in the UK, we were so grateful for her support,’ said Amelia. ‘A number of different single Christians have come forward to share their thoughts and experiences as well.’
Find out more by visiting Single Friendly Church, and see the video here
Join our mailing list to make sure you receive a free copy of the CRE At Home 2020 handbook, which will be posted in October
Our next exhibitions
CRE South West 2021 – 17-18 March 2021
Westpoint, Exeter
CRE National 2021 – 12-14 October 2021
Sandown Park, Surrey
Kate brings hope at the double
Extraordinary times require extraordinary initiatives and one publisher has responded by offering two of their top titles on a ‘buy one, give one away’ basis.
‘When we can’t spend time together in person, we long to send some love, to show we care,’ said Stephanie Heald, founder of Muddy Pearl in Edinburgh. ‘Sending a book is a lovely way to do that. As an independent Christian publisher we would love to support you and your church, and through our authors, believe we have something special to share – hope.’
For the price of one book, Muddy Pearl are donating a free copy of the same book – ‘so you can bless a friend or a church member in need of encouragement.’ The two books to choose from are by Kate Patterson, a gifted writer and speaker who has been in church leadership for more than 20 years.
The Promise of Blessing is a journey to explore the Aaronic blessing from the book of Numbers, ‘phrase by shining phrase’. Kate invites us to join her in discovering the fullness of God’s blessing in whatever situation we find ourselves.
The Gift of Blessing is an encouraging devotional offering us the opportunity to see God afresh through the shining blessing of Numbers 6 – ‘an ideal gift for those who long to be blessed that they might be a blessing to others.’
‘If you would like us to mail the book direct to your chosen person let us know when you make your purchase,’ said Stephanie.
Find out more by visiting Muddy Pearl
Join our mailing list to make sure you receive a free copy of the CRE At Home 2020 handbook, which will be posted in October
Our next exhibitions
CRE South West 2021 – 17-18 March 2021
Westpoint, Exeter
CRE National 2021 – 12-14 October 2021
Sandown Park, Surrey
It’s back – to brighten up the summer
A paper bringing much-needed good news in a disrupted summer is now available for distribution in your locality.
The monthly eight-page newspaper, Good News, which includes a variety of encouraging articles, has returned after the May edition was cancelled due to COVID-19. Its front page gives a message of hope and other articles include a story on the miracle of Dunkirk in May 1940, when thousands answered the call to prayer and thousands of troops were rescued from the beaches of France.
Boxer Tyson Fury talks about his faith and remarkable comeback. Villagers in Whaley Bridge tell of how they believe prayer stopped last summer’s dam from breaking.
Good News editor Andrew Halloway hopes churches will return to door-to-door delivery (bearing social distancing in mind) and points out that scientific experts have said that newspaper is a safe agent and does not pass on the virus.
‘We have produced 70,000 copies of the paper and trust churches will grasp the opportunity to engage with people in their local area,’ he said. ‘We have also sent double our usual quantity of copies to prison chaplains, knowing that prisoners, having to spend longer in their cells during the lockdown, could be glad of extra reading matter.’
Good News is ideal for door-to-door distribution, or leaving in hospitals, doctors’ and dentists’ waiting rooms. It is also an excellent resource for visitors to services or people who attend parent and toddler groups, senior citizens’ luncheon clubs and so on.
With more than 30 years’ experience in Christian publishing, Andrew’s first issue as editor was in October 2007.
Find out more by visiting Good News
Join our mailing list to make sure you receive a free copy of the CRE At Home 2020 handbook, which will be posted in October
Our next exhibitions
CRE South West 2021 – 17-18 March 2021
Westpoint, Exeter
CRE National 2021 – 12-14 October 2021
Sandown Park, Surrey
Collecting cash a problem? Tap the app!
With cash collections currently proving a problem because of Covid-19, one innovative company is rolling out the solution.
The Givt app enables members to give anonymously using their smartphones (iOS or Android), without payment terminals or expensive hardware.
‘You simply open the app and choose your amount,’ explains Givt’s Sjoerd van Oort. ‘You then select giving based on location and the app knows where you are. That’s all there is to it! After COVID-19, you will be able to move your smartphone past the collection bag. People joining the service via a livestream can scan a Givt QR code displayed during the service. In this way, all people can give, wherever they are.’
Sjoerd, who first brought Givt to CRE National in 2018, is convinced that giving is more than a financial transaction – it is also relational.
‘All current solutions for donations only provide the financial side of the transaction,’ he said.
‘We are sure that if we optimally support the person donating, that person will give more freely. Giving becomes fun.When I donate, I want to have one solution for all situations – to the guitar-playing busker on the street, to the charity coming to my door. When I donate, I want it to be fully anonymous and still add Gift Aid.’
Givt provides an overview of where donations have gone. For all charities and situations, only one registration is needed. No complicated logins, long lists of possible charities or annoying top-ups.
‘The speed, ease, and joy of giving cash are retained,’ said Sjoerd, ‘so that people can just keep on giving.’
Find out more by visiting Givt
Join our mailing list to make sure you receive a free copy of the CRE At Home 2020 handbook, which will be posted in October
Our next exhibitions
CRE South West 2021 – 17-18 March 2021
Westpoint, Exeter
CRE National 2021 – 12-14 October 2021
Sandown Park, Surrey