Marilyn on song for first-ever Ladies’ Day at CRE
One of the most popular performers at CRE returns to perform during the exhibition’s first-ever Ladies’ Day (CRE National 2019, Thu 17 Oct).
‘I want to encourage women to know what a dynamic impact they can have in the kingdom of God,’ said Marilyn. ‘Society needs nurturers and us ladies can help to bring more tender heartedness back in to our world showing what God’s love is really like.’
Blind almost from birth, Marilyn Baker began to write and sing her own songs in the early 1980s, releasing a series of albums which aimed to draw people into God’s healing presence.
Word spread and soon churches were inviting her to do evangelistic and encouragement concerts. She gave up her job as a music teacher and started ministering full time, travelling extensively in Britain and many parts of the world. A familiar performer at Spring Harvest and other major Christian events, Marilyn quickly became Britain’s top-selling female gospel singer.
In 1986 she was joined by Tracy Williamson, whose gifts in speaking and prophecy enriched the music with a new dimension. Marilyn’s recordings and Tracy’s books enabled them to reach an even wider audience.
As well as concerts, Marilyn and Tracy undertake church encouragement weekends, workshops and conferences. They minister to large or small groups or in elderly people’s homes and prisons. Wherever they are, the focus of the ministry remains the same.
‘Our heart is to see people entering into joy instead of mourning, beauty instead of ashes, praise instead of despair,’ said Marilyn.
‘We want them to understand the intimacy of God’s tender love and be empowered by it to reach out to others, that they too may be healed and changed.
‘He has been wonderfully faithful guiding and providing for us over all these years and has brought so much transformation to individuals and groups. We are excited about what lies ahead in his plans for us.’
Marilyn will perform in CRE’s Arts Theatre and during Cindy’s Sofa at lunchtime on Thu 17 Oct. Ladies Day at CRE will focus specifically on issued surrounding women in areas of work, community, church and family life.
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Now first contact needn’t be the last
First contact with families approaching churches for a wedding, baptism or funeral need not be the last – thanks to new online software that helps develop lasting relationships with parishioners.
The Life Events Diary, a free resource for Church of England churches and developed in partnership with iKnow Church, streamlines administration for classic rites of passage.
‘Every family that approaches a church for a wedding, banns reading, a baptism or a funeral begins a journey with that church,’ explained iKnow Church’s Kyle Cottington. ‘For the family, it can be a time of big emotions and questions. You will want to care for them and make their service the best it can be. Behind that are a huge list of tasks, not just to plan the services but to keep in touch with the families afterwards and encourage them to stay connected. That’s what Life Events Diary is all about.’
Life Events Diary:
• Records legal and personal data of families safely and securely
• Reduces duplication of data-collection and data-entry
• Prints out key information about a service in relevant formats
• Customises, records, and tracks service fees
• Never forgets a significant date for pastoral care, or an opportunity for follow-up after a service, with email reminders
• Shares data, tasks and messages with others in the church to help you direct, delegate and coordinate, wherever you are
• Live Events Diary is available on stand S95 at CRE National 2019
• iKnow Church/Church Edit are on stand S94
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Photo: Helen Batt Photography
Introducing a grand way to improve your church communications
Every church in the UK should be equipped with great communications tools – and a new award scheme has been launched with deserving churches receiving up to £1000 to make it happen.
CPO chief executive Laura Trenee believes churches have a world-changing message of hope – but often fail to deliver it effectively.
‘Our vision is to see every church in the UK equipped with great communications tools,’ she said. ‘We understand the limitations of budget and time and are delighted that our Church Comms Improvement Project will offer support to those who need it.’
Anyone can nominate a church for support here. All that is needed is the name of the church, its address and a photograph or web address to demonstrate why it needs help.
Awards are to the value of between £50 and £1000, in the form of fully-funded resources and support, depending on the need – such as a new or redesigned website, a brand identity, a set of invitations or posters or even a new noticeboard. The deadline for nominations is 5pm on Mon 1st July.
CPO is a registered charity, and has received seed money for the fund. Donations to enable the project to continue can be made at give.net/churchcommsimprovement, to ensure a sustainable fund for churches that most need help in design and communications.
Based in Worthing, CPO has been working to support the UK church in its communication for more than 60 years.
• CPO are on stand S81 at CRE National 2019
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‘Three-in-one’ Bethlehem bauble is back
Hand-blown by Muslims, hand-painted by Christians, shipped by Israelis – the ‘three-in-one’ Bethlehem Bauble is returning to CRE National 2019.
Each bauble arrives on a bed of straw in its own presentation box along with a certificate of origin. No plastic is used – and it’s made from recycled materials!
Founded by Ros Pollock whilst posted to Jerusalem with the UN, Bethlehem Baubles aims to provide a grass roots, fair living wage to a struggling community.
‘Christmas should be about giving something special to the ones we love and connecting with the things that really matter,’ said Ros. ‘In an age of mass production and commercialisation, Bethlehem Baubles offers you the chance to return to these simple origins and renew the authentic spirit of the season. We’ve paired up with Bethlehem Fair Trade Artisans (BFTA) who work closely with Muslim and Christian communities at an individual level in order to produce a unique gift with a direct and meaningful impact. Together we can make a difference for these skilled artisans.’
With a unique design for the collection each year, Ros believes Bethlehem Baubles have the potential to become an intrinsic and abiding part of the Christmas experience – perfect for stocking fillers and ‘that tricky relative who you never know what to get.’
• Bethlehem Baubles are on stand S102 at CRE National 2019
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Photo: Eleanor Bentall
New woodland centre sustains legacy of Watchman Nee
A new Christian conference and training centre, inspired by the works of classic authors Watchman Nee and Witness Lee, is under construction in outer London.
The Amana Trust, owners of a centre near Romford and a bookshop in central London for many years, have purchased a 17-acre woodland site within the M25 and 10 minutes from the Central line tube station. Easily accessible but removed from the busyness of London, the centre will be available for groups of up to 300 people in stylish wooden cabins, most with ensuite bedrooms and several with meeting spaces.
Watchman Nee’s classics include The Normal Christian Life and The Spiritual Man. In addition, the complete works of Watchman Nee comprises a mostly unknown 62 volumes. More than 15,000 pages of Watchman Nee’s ministry was continued by his closest co-worker, Witness Lee, whose ministry was even more extensive.
The Amana Trust endeavours to help believers grow in the Christian faith, both personally and in groups. Their events include weekend retreats, week-long training and a two-year full-time residential course.
• The Amana Trust are on stands S51 and S52 at CRE National 2019
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No cash? No problem. Tubular Charity Kiosk will debut at CRE National 2019
A church in North London is the first in the UK to trial a ground-breaking donation kiosk – on show at CRE National 2019 (Oct 15-17).
Tubular Systems Ltd have designed and built the kiosk which aims to take churches and charities into the digital era.
‘It’s the 21st Century version of a collection plate and we are very proud of it,’ said Tubular Systems’ Kevin Egglesden. ‘Even in the first few weeks of the trial there has been a positive response at the trialling church in terms of increased giving via Apple and Google Pay.’
The Tubular Charity Kiosk, which can remain accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week, not only accepts contactless donations but also credit and debit cards, including chip and swipe – meaning no donation need be missed. It also comes with live telemetry reporting, so donations and power downs can be viewed at any time and anywhere through a PC or mobile phone app.
Designed and built in the UK, the kiosk takes up very little space yet will draw attention through its brightly-lit light box that can feature the church’s logo.
Tubular kiosks include a seven-inch touchscreen with customisable display graphics, personalised for each church. Fabricated from mild steel, the kiosk will stay robust for many years. Elegant and eye-catching, it fits neatly into church buildings or can be moved to fund raising events organised by the church.
‘Installation is super fast as communication is taken care of with its built-in SIM Card and the unit only requires one power socket,’ explained Kevin. ‘You can also customise donation amounts, e.g £5, £10, £20 and £30.
‘We are very proud knowing that a British-designed and manufactured kiosk will soon be helping local churches generate donations for the many excellent activities in which they are involved.’
• Tubular Systems Ltd are on stand B9 at CRE National 2019
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Study Zone at CRE: Deepen your learning, sharpen your skills
The success of the first-ever Study Zone at CRE North in March has prompted two encores – at CRE National 2019 (Sandown Park, Surrey, 15-17 Oct) and CRE Midlands 2020 (Stoneleigh Park, nr Coventry, 4/5 Mar).
A number of stands will be located around a bespoke seminar/presentation area, where participating colleges will contribute a range of carefully-targeted ‘TED’ style talks each day – on subjects concerning study at every level, from short courses to doctorates, summer schools to evening classes, residential or online. Participating colleges will also contribute key speakers to CRE’s main seminar programme.
Rev Dr David Hilborn, principal of Moorlands College, said: ‘The CRE Study Zone is a great reminder that theological colleges are among the most important resources for the church and mission. In our secularised culture it’s more vital than ever that leaders and disciples are thoroughly grounded in God’s Word and effectively equipped for fruitful ministry. I look forward to being part of CRE’s Study Zone again, with friends and colleagues from many different places of learning. Together, we can show thousands of church leaders and members how to deepen learning and sharpen skills.’
Brett Pitchfork, CRE’s event director, said: ‘The Study Zone makes theological learning accessible to thousands of potential students of all ages. With a limited number of stands available at both venues, we urge colleges to book as soon as possible.’
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5-4-3-2-1… Paul and Fiona will get CRE National 2019 under way
Paul Jones and Fiona Hendley will be special guests on the opening day of CRE National 2019 (Wed 15 Oct).
Original lead singer of legendary band Manfred Mann, Paul also presented The Blues Show on BBC Radio 2 each week for more than 30 years. He and Fiona, a former West End and TV actress, first met while performing at a show in the National Theatre.
‘Our roles meant singing songs to each other and staring into each other’s eyes, proclaiming undying love, twice nightly for two years or so,’ admitted Paul. ‘And the inevitable happened.’
Fiona, an accomplished actress and singer, has worked in all areas of show business from her acclaimed TV series Widows (for which she won Personality of the Year Award) to leading roles at the Royal National Theatre and the Royal Shakespeare Company. She has starred in many West End productions including the highly-praised and award-winning musical City of Angels. She has sung on many show recordings and has a collection of gold discs that rival Paul’s.
Paul came to faith from a background of intellectual arrogance. In 1968, he argued against Billy Graham with Cliff Richard on TV, convinced he had won the argument. Yet all his immense success in show business could not remedy the failure within himself. Fiona sought God from an early age, thinking that she was a Christian, but was surrounded by deception (including spiritualists and mediums). She too hoped that success in show business would bring her happiness.
They will be at CRE National 2019 to relate how each of them found true happiness and real faith.
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End the bend: dishwasher sees the back of aches and pains
Positioned somewhere between a domestic undercounter and a commercial ‘pass-through’, the new Nelson dishwasher has been ergonomically designed to avoid the need for the operator to bend.
Passthrough dishwashers make the washing process in a professional kitchen fast and efficient, especially important during busy periods – but they’re often too expensive for organisations on a limited budget.
‘Back problems are the most common occupational ailment for staff and volunteers working in a church context,’ explains John Nelson, managing director of CRE National 2019 exhibitors Nelson Dish & Glasswashers. ‘The Advantage Plus AD51 Ergo provides an affordable solution for people who may not need to invest in a pass-through but who want a comfortable means of loading and unloading a dishwasher.’
Highly specified, and energy and water efficient, the Ergo lends itself to forming part of a dishwashing system with appropriate tabling and shelving – something usually only possible with a passthrough machine. It also features a useful base cupboard for storing baskets and chemicals.
* Nelson Dish & Glasswashers are on stand S105 at CRE National 2019
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‘Veira the Voice’ returns to Sandown Park
As much at home singing opera at Glyndebourne as gospel at Godalming Baptist, Jonathan Veira’s considerable vocal and comic talents make him a hugely popular performer.
He has performed across the globe in a variety of roles and musical styles from Mozart to John Adams. In addition to operatic roles, Jonathan regularly broadcasts on BBC radio and TV, has recorded numerous CDs (his latest being the Hymns Project) and performed in TV programmes across many genres.
‘It will be great to return to CRE National 2019 with my old friend Cindy Kent MBE (who will host Cindy’s Bar),’ said Jonathan. ‘I look forward to performing a short programme of what I can offer to the modern church – and renewing many friendships.’
Jonathan will be a guest on Cindy’s Sofa at lunchtime on Wed 16 Oct, before performing at 3pm on the same afternoon. His books and CDs will also be available.
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