Marguerite revs up for Sandown debut
A ‘Mecca’ for artists and those who love creative thinking on cards, posters and mugs – that’s the thinking behind CRE 2018 exhibitor Marguerite’s Dreams.
Artistic block, however, caused by years of teaching design and technology, almost stopped founder Marguerite Slater from any creative endeavour. The turning point came when she attended a course based on The Artist Way, a book by Julia Cameron, where she discovered other people liked her designs. Later, a work colleague told her she should be doing more – and promptly helped her set up a website.
Now Marguerite is bringing her own range of colourful, sometimes quirky designs to CRE 2018 – inspired by the Bible and creation. She has made a full-time job out of something she not only loves, but in which she is very proficient. One of her first designs – Ask Seek Knock – begins with a keyhole through which nothing is visible and then blossoms into a wonderful view of creative glory.
‘After many years of feeling blocked, it expresses how free I felt,’ she said. ‘I want people to wonder what is on the other side of the door – and how to get through. This is how I feel about so many things, including art, and the people I meet. I enjoy seeing God open up opportunities or exposing things I have missed with my own eyes.’
Working with watercolour and mixed media, Marguerite is now seeing her work sold in art shops and other retail establishments. Best of all, it not only expresses her faith but gives pleasure to those who buy it. And now you can see it all for yourself at Sandown Park in October.
Marguerite’s Dreams is on stand S27 at CRE 2018
Open for the best: Michael’s mission just goes on growing
Looking for that ‘missing something’ between deep theology and daily reading notes sparked the Open Bible Trust into being.
‘A group of us set out in the 1980s to encourage people to widen their interest in the whole Bible,’ said founder Michael Penny. The newly-formed trust created a bi-monthly magazine, Reach, which offered a number of Bible studies and opened up biblical books in an easy-to-understand manner. Several more publications followed.
A former director of maths and business studies, Michael spent nine years as the minister of a church in America. Now 75, his vision has not dimmed and his seminars at CRE are usually oversubscribed.
He will introduce his latest book on the Apostle Peter at this year’s exhibition. It deals with his life and letters as well as the various traditions over his death. It follows James: His Life and Letters and Paul: A Missionary of Genius. He will also point visitors to CDs by various speakers, Bible study DVDs, a series of study booklets. Reach will also be available.
Among other new products on display at CRE will be Studies in Ruth, Amos: The Lion Has Roared, The Upper Room Discourse, Paul in the Jewish Synagogues and The Destiny of the Damned.
Open Bible Trust are on stand S91 at CRE 2018
Michael Penny will speak on Perplexing Parables at CRE 2018 (11am, Thu 18 Oct)
Young respond to the Common good
Visitors to CRE 2018 will enjoy the beauty of The Book of Common Prayer – some for the first time.
‘Many people under 50 have never experienced a church service using the beautiful and traditional language of the Prayer Book,’ explained Prudence Dailey, chair of the Prayer Book Society. ‘Liturgical reform in the Church of England during the 70s meant growing numbers of churches opted instead for contemporary language versions of services.’
Exhibiting at CRE for the first time since 2012, the society will encourage visitors to consider using The Book of Common Prayer (BCP) for worship or, if they are already doing so, to use it more.
‘The Prayer Book is as relevant today as it ever was and increasingly it is being appreciated by young adults,’ said Prudence, who pointed out a growing interest in the society’s activities by people in their 20s and 30s. The society also hosts the Cranmer Awards, a national competition in which hundreds of 11 to 18-year-olds across the country memorise prayers and readings from the BCP and then recite them to an invited audience.
The BCP was compiled by Thomas Cranmer, a leader of the Reformation and Archbishop of Canterbury during the reigns of Henry VIII, Edward VI and Mary I, by drawing extensively on his personal library of 600 printed books and more than 60 manuscripts.
‘While the society is rooted in tradition, we understand contemporary church environments and the pressures clergy face,’ said Prudence, who believes many young clergy will be enthusiastic about using the BCP in services.
‘It is more than just the beauty of the language of the Prayer Book which appeals to me,’ one ordinand told her. ‘I like the fact that it is quite literally a book of common prayer which not only belongs to all people but contains prayers for every stage in our journey through life.’
The Prayer Book Society’s stand will offer an opportunity to examine the Cranmer legacy and its huge impact on the Church – and find out about recent initiatives to encourage its use.
The Prayer Book Society is on stand S148 at CRE 2018
Tackling taboos: Sarah calls for honest conversations about sex
With relationships and sex education becoming statutory in schools in September 2019, Sarah Smith (pictured) will be at CRE 2018 to help Christian educators deliver this important topic in schools, churches and other youth settings.
In her seminar on Youth and Children’s Day at CRE 2018 – ‘A Guide to Growing Up: how to have honest conversations with young people about puberty, sex and God’ (11am, Thu 18 Oct) – visitors will gain an insight into the relational and sexual health issues young people face today.
‘It is vital that parents/carers and youth leaders tackle topics often seen as taboo and become more effective in talking about bodies, relationships and sex,’ said Sarah, CEO of CRE exhibitor acet UK, a Christian charity delivering relationships and sex education in secondary schools and training to youth workers, teachers and parents.
Her book A Guide to Growing Up is published by another CRE exhibitor, Lion Hudson and features detailed chapters on topics such as masturbation and same-sex attraction. A Guide to Growing Up aims to support parents in talking to their children and is an essential guide in any young person’s journey – ‘a guide they can go back to time and again.’
Acet UK are on stand S12 and Lion Hudson are on stand YZ11 at CRE 2018
ByCRE
Bags of blessing for India’s ‘untouchables’
Giving holistic freedom to women trapped in caste-based discrimination, poverty and hopelessness is the mission of Promise Bags – returning to CRE after a successful debut in 2017.
‘Dalit (Untouchable) women have been trapped for 3000 years in a caste system that has brutalised, discriminated and treated people as less than animals,’ explained Promise Bags’ Elisha Chowtapalli. ‘Employment is a tool for their freedom. The unique power of a job empowers and gives dignity to women trapped in poverty.’
The company currently employs 12 women in a safe, loving and caring environment.
‘We started with six in 2015,’ said Elisha. ‘Our dream is to employ 100 by 2025.’
Together, they create beautiful and high quality leather and jute bags, handcrafted with passion.
‘Each and every small detail is taken care of,’ said Elisha. ‘We can even offer customised products, personalising them with a logo, embossed names, initials or messages to promote a business or brand.’
Part of the profits goes towards the Dalit Children Home and English Medium School, run by Promise Bags.
Promise Bags are on stand S26 at CRE 2018
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Marilyn returns – by popular demand!
One of the most popular performers at the Christian Resources Exhibition returns to CRE in October.
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 Baker will perform at CRE 2018 on Tue 16 Oct
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The power of prayer: how Ignatius is proving infectious
A prayer technique developed by a 16th century Spanish priest is reaching people who wouldn’t dream of darkening a church’s door.
In what began as a small experiment by Methodist minister Rev Clive McKie, Ignatian prayer is being accessed online in more than 46 countries on six continents, through CRE 2018 exhibitor Taketime meditation.
‘Christians are finding a fresh breeze gently blowing through their faith,’ said Clive, currently minister of Reigate Methodist Church in Surrey, ‘but what is more striking is how the technique is welcomed by agnostics, atheists and those who have wondered about faith but found church too daunting.’
The trickle-down effect is that people are experiencing God’s love and encountering Christ – their changed lives affecting others with a slow but steady movement for good.
Clive is now training churches of all denominations to run local Taketime Together groups, accessible to all – especially those with no church background. You can find out how on the Taketime stand at CRE 2018.
‘It is an invisible, community venture,’ said Clive, ‘with no big event, no bunting, no fanfare… just God’s word quietly going out into the world and transforming it.’
Taketime are on stand S149 at CRE 2018
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Richmond offer ‘perfect space’ for holiday fun and relaxation
Space to relax, explore your faith and invest in friendships – that’s the thinking behind Richmond Christian Holidays, exhibitors at CRE 2018.
‘When God speaks to Moses in Exodus 33:14, he reminds us: “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest”. What a joy it is that our heavenly father loves to be with us in relationship and in rest!’ said Richmond Holidays’ Verity McKay.
Richmond offer winter holidays in the French Alps and summer holidays on the Island of Samos and the French Alps.
‘At Richmond, we believe that a time away of fun and relaxation offers the perfect space to grow deeper with our awesome God in the setting of His beautiful creation! Our times of ministry throughout the holiday are fashioned to give you time to just “be still and know” as the psalmist suggests.
‘Whether you, your family members or friends are looking for adventure or seeking rest, we will tell you more about our holidays at CRE this autumn.’
Richmond Christian Holidays are on Stand S63 at CRE 2018
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Dare to disciple – and see your church grow
Our commission is to make disciples, not church attenders.
That will be Rev Cris Rogers’ message at CRE 2018.
‘It is vital we help churches activate a thriving discipleship culture,’ said Cris, rector of All Hallows in Bow, east London. ‘Some of us struggle with the term “discipleship” and use “spiritual formation”. I will look at the differences between the evangelical understanding of discipleship and the more Catholic understanding of spiritual formation. Neither deliver biblical discipleship on their own but when the two merge we get a biblical picture of Jesus’ understanding of discipleship and formation.’
Developed by Cris, Making Disciples is an assessment tool to help churches, small groups and individuals interested in developing as disciples of Jesus. Churches developing a discipleship action plan have found people serving in and outside the church has gone up, financial giving has risen and disciplines of personal daily prayer have grown.
‘I will also look at how the modern school system has killed how we do discipleship within the church because our education is teaching rather than apprenticeship based,’ said Cris. ‘I will also look at the way we need to grow leaders, another important part of building a discipleship culture.’
Cris took on the leadership of an Anglican Church in Tower Hamlets, one of the most ethnically and religiously diverse areas of London. The church had shrunk to seven people before his arrival. He is also part of the Spring Harvest planning group.
Rev Cris Rogers will speak on ‘Making Disciples’ at CRE 2018 (12 pm, Wed 17 Oct)
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Dan’s mission of mercy is right on the ball
World record-breaking football freestyler Dan Magness will perform his phenomenal tricks at October’s CRE 2018 encouraging churches to ‘make history’ with their own creative and sporting flair.
Dan kept a football in the air in Covent Garden for an astonishing 24 hours – making him the Guinness World Keepy-Uppy Champion. He also set the world record for the longest-ever recorded journey while continuously kicking or heading a ball, keeping the ball in the air for a staggering 36 miles, visiting every Premier League football club in London.
He became a Christian at 3am outside a Southend nightclub.
‘I was with a couple of mates and must confess I was full of another kind of spirit,’ he said. ‘We saw some street pastors talking to clubbers and I thought “I want to go and talk to them”. Minutes later, they were telling me about Jesus. Now I use my talent to praise his name.’
Dan is appearing at CRE in support of Mercy Ships, who are challenging churches to make history, by taking on one of three sporty or creative #MercyActs challenges.
Darren Richards, Church Partnership Manager at Mercy Ships, added: ‘Mercy Ships has launched a brand new set of resources that call on UK churches to use their talents and skills to help send free medical care to some of the poorest people in the world. The church is a treasure trove of talent. Imagine what could happen if everyone took something they loved doing – their hobbies and sporting passions – and then used that to help the poor in Africa?
‘Imagine if kids sang, teens vlogged, students shone on stage, parents picked up a paintbrush and grandma shimmied across a ballroom. Those who can’t draw or dance, can write or arrange flowers. Those who can’t cycle can swap clothes or bake. Everyone can do something! Everyone can love mercy, act justly and walk humbly by taking on a #MercyActs challenge.’
Founded in 1978 by Don and Deyon Stephens, Mercy Ships has worked in more than 70 countries. Today, Mercy Ships is a faith-based international development organisation with a creative solution to poverty – the world’s largest floating hospital, crewed entirely by volunteers. Their hospital ships serve some of the poorest countries in the world, delivering vital, free healthcare to people in desperate need.
Mercy Ships are on Stand S151 at CRE 2018