After bereavement: how churches can offer light and hope
Churches can have a huge role to play in helping grieving people recover.
So says Rev Cassius Francis, project co-leader and church trainer with CRE Midlands 23 exhibitors Loss and Hope, a Christian coalition offering resources to help churches support bereaved families.
With many years’ experience ministering to those who have suffered bereavement, Cassius will speak on the need for Christians to provide support – and how Loss and Hope can help (3pm, Wed 8 Nov). He will introduce the Bereavement Journey, a course that is rapidly being taken up by churches in more than 200 locations across the UK. The specific focus of the talk will be on the benefits of the seven-session format for not only supporting grief but preventing mental ill-health and transforming lives. Click here for more information on Cassius’ contribution at CRE Midlands.
‘Our vision is that no bereaved person in the UK should be unable to find support when they need it,’ he explains. ‘It will be great to be at Cranmore Park and sharing within my home city of Birmingham. The exhibition will provide another platform for followers of Jesus to showcase what we are doing to provide support in this city, the wider region and around the UK.
‘There has rightly been a national focus on mental health support for communities as we emerge from the pandemic, but we and our colleagues in the bereavement sector have become increasingly concerned about the lack of focused support for people experiencing grief. People often confuse bereavement with mental illness and unsupported grief can be suppressed leading to mental ill-health.
‘Our bereavement signposting website, ataloss.org, currently has the greatest number of people referred to it from mental health charities, because grieving people don’t know where else to turn or because unresolved grief has been identified as the root cause. In fact, unresolved grief is behind many of society’s problems. The Bereavement Journey is designed to help people explore past losses as well as those who are recently bereaved. Leaders are reporting exciting results, of many people attending from outside church and lives being changed by the hope that is offered.’
• Loss and Hope are on stand DS27 at CRE Midlands 23
Revd Cassius Francis is the Church Trainer and Resourcer for Loss and HOPE, a coalition project of AtaLoss, equipping churches in bereavement support. He is also a minister with the Wesleyan Holiness Church and a community paediatric chaplain with Birmingham Women’s & Children’s NHS Foundation Trust.
Book your ticket for CRE Midlands 2023 here from as little as £3
Organisations looking to book a stand should contact James Batterbee 0161 250 2306 (E: james@creonline.co.uk) or Carol Malpass 0161 250 2467 (E: carol@creonline.co.uk)
Click to view the latest floorplan and price list for available stands
Introducing the church guide that never sleeps
Not many churches have staff to give visitors a guided tour – but now there’s Info Point to do the work at any time.
Developed by Midlands-based company Wildfi Ltd, Info Point is a dedicated multimedia guide system for churches, museums and outdoor attractions. It delivers tours and interactive games, such jigsaws and word searches – to visitors’ own mobile devices.
Brothers-in-law Dan Boys and Joe Middleton launched Info Point in 2013. It requires no internet connectivity, has no impact on the church fabric (it simply plugs in) and can be placed on a convenient shelf or table.
It can also display 3D models, which are great for showcasing artefacts that might not be visible, such as church bells or items donated to museums.
‘Only those coming to church will be able to access Info Point content,’ said Dan Boys. ‘Therefore, it rewards people for visiting. Fewer visitors carry cash and donations are suffering because of this. Info Point offers a text-giving facility, making it easy for people to donate as a response to their enjoyment of the improved visitor experience.’
During the past 12 months, Wildfi has developed a solar-powered Info Point product that can be utilised where no power is available, such as churchyards (above). The plug and play system, complete with battery and solar panels, is often paired with a visitor information panel containing instructions on how to connect. Info Point Solar has already proved successful on nature reserves and other green spaces.
Perhaps most importantly, Wildfi now offer a funding support package.
‘We know most churches don’t have spare cash lying around to purchase an Info Point, even though all the ones we speak to would love one,’ explained Dan. ‘So we now have in-house experts who will apply for funds on behalf of the church leadership with a current 100 per cent success rate in accessing funding.’
Dan and colleagues will be at CRE Midlands in Solihull to demonstrate the system and show how it enhances the experience of church visitors – and encourages donations.
• WildFi Ltd are on stand C13 at CRE Midlands 23
Book your ticket for CRE Midlands 2023 here from as little as £3
Organisations looking to book a stand should contact James Batterbee 0161 250 2306 (E: james@creonline.co.uk) or Carol Malpass 0161 250 2467 (E: carol@creonline.co.uk)
Click to view the latest floorplan and price list for available stands
Ecclesiastical earn ‘Best Buy’ rating from consumer champion
One of CRE’s key sponsors has been rated highly by a major UK consumer champion.
Both Ecclesiastical’s Set Sum Insured and Bespoke home insurance policies have been rated as Best Buys by Which? A Best Buy is only awarded to products and services that receive high scores during thorough testing by independent experts, representing the best in their category.
Which? analyses and rates 21 aspects of buildings cover, 40 areas of contents cover and 25 features in both policies before awarding star ratings and, for the products that score highest, a Best Buy recommendation.
Richard Coleman, managing director at Ecclesiastical Insurance, said: ‘Our ambition is to be the most trusted and respected specialist insurance company and this recognition will help new and existing customers to recognise Ecclesiastical as an insurer that provides comprehensive cover and the peace of mind that comes with it.
‘As part of the charity owned Benefact Group, every home insurance policy we sell helps to fund good causes in the UK. By doing business with us, our customers are helping to support our goal of doubling our contribution to good causes, helping to transform lives and communities for the better.’
This latest positive rating of Ecclesiastical’s home insurance product follows on from the specialist insurer topping Fairer Finance’s Home Insurance league tables for the 17th successive time in the Spring and receiving the Gold Award from Times’ Money Mentor.
New customers receive a £130 donation for the cathedral or church of their choice.
• Ecclesiastical are on stand P29 at CRE Midlands 2023
Book your ticket for CRE Midlands 2023 here from as little as £3
Organisations looking to book a stand should contact James Batterbee 0161 250 2306 (E: james@creonline.co.uk) or Carol Malpass 0161 250 2467 (E: carol@creonline.co.uk)
Click to view the latest floorplan and price list for available stands
The Church Organiser launched by the Church of England
Administration in Anglican churches got a whole lot easier this month, thanks to a new online system launched by the Church of England in partnership with iKnow Church.
The Church Organiser features a range of tools to help with booking rooms, managing live events and ticketing.
‘It is particularly useful for churches with rooms that are constantly in use and many different buildings can be covered from one centre,’ said Chris Gibson, senior church liaison officer at iKnow Church, a complete administration and donations platform for churches. ‘It takes online bookings and payments and optional extras can be added such as catering, heating and electronics.’
Room availability is shown and a donation facility can be added. A Ticketing section can cover both free and paid events, collecting important information. An optional charge can be made for attendance.
Alongside these important tools, the Life Events Diary helps churches manage weddings, baptisms, funerals or banns of marriage. With automated reminders, online enquiry forms and digital production of the marriage registration document, the diary covers all bases.
There is also A Church Near You Integration section which contains Life Events Diary contact forms. The booking of rooms can be made directly within the A Church Near You profile – giving a seamless experience to visitors.
And it comes free of charge, thanks to funding by the Archbishops’ Council using a grant from the Church Commissioners.
Registering your Church of England church can be done here.
Church Organiser representatives will be at CRE Midlands 23 where visitors can see and try out the software for themselves. It will also be presented as part of the talks programme (4pm, Wed 8 Nov, Talks Area 1).
‘We are thrilled to launch this tool to assist Anglican churches and look forward to showing visitors at Cranmore Park,’ said Chris.
• The Church Organiser will be on the Church Edit and iKnow Church stand A9 at CRE Midlands 23
Book your ticket for CRE Midlands 2023 here from as little as £3
Organisations looking to book a stand should contact James Batterbee 0161 250 2306 (E: james@creonline.co.uk) or Carol Malpass 0161 250 2467 (E: carol@creonline.co.uk)
Click to view the latest floorplan and price list for available stands
Goodbye collection plate, hello CollecTin
Churches which no longer pass the collection plate around during a service are discovering a special unit that encourages people to support their work.
The CollecTin More allows people to use a contactless credit card, mobile phone or smart watch to make a donation to church funds.
‘Many churches opted not to pass the offering plate when services resumed after the pandemic and have continued with the same policy,’ explained Chris Allwood, co-founder of CollecTin, first-time exhibitors at CRE Midlands 23. ‘The CollecTin More allows people to make a donation easily – without embarrassment. It is also useful in larger churches and cathedrals, which remain open for long periods, providing a means of raising funds from tourists, for example, who may be carrying less cash.’
Churches can identify up to six amounts which can be programmed into the system. Donors can select how much they wish to give, or opt for the ‘choose your own amount’ button.
‘It is a simple system which more than 1,000 churches have already started to use with great success,’ said Chris, who, with co-founder Guy Robinson were the first to build and trial a mobile contactless donation unit in 2015. They formed the CollectTin company in 2018 with the latest system made available three years ago. Now used by many large charities, including OXFAM and Cancer Research UK, it can be seen on the CollecTin stand at CRE Midlands 23.
• CollectTin will be on stand DS35 at CRE Midlands 23
Book your ticket for CRE Midlands 2023 here from as little as £3
Organisations looking to book a stand should contact James Batterbee 0161 250 2306 (E: james@creonline.co.uk) or Carol Malpass 0161 250 2467 (E: carol@creonline.co.uk)
Click to view the latest floorplan and price list for available stands
Metal theft: churches urged to review security
Churches across the UK are being urged to take steps to prevent metal theft following a spate of incidents.
The warning comes from specialist insurer Ecclesiastical following theft of lead from the roof of churches in Bath, including All Saints Church in Weston, which was targeted multiple times in one month.
High demand for copper and lead, driven by an increase in metal prices, saw several churches affected by theft in the first quarter of 2023. Ecclesiastical, exhibitors at CRE Midlands 23, are urging churches across the country to carry out reviews of their security arrangements as a result of the recent increase.
Roof alarms have been proven to especially deter criminals. Other measures such as installing additional lighting to increase surveillance levels, use of anti-climb paint and CCTV can help deter thefts. Making life difficult for metal thieves by removing easy means of access onto roofs, such as waters butts, benches, bins and ladders.
Some churches and heritage properties that have been victims of metal theft incidents have replaced stolen materials with alternatives, such as stainless steel, which are less appealing to criminals.
The insurer requires customers to have security marking systems such as SmartWater, which has been proven to help with successful prosecution of metal thieves, in place as part of its policy and for policy conditions to be followed.
Jo Whyman, risk management director at Ecclesiastical Insurance, said: ‘Theft of metal can have a devastating impact on churches. It is critically important the right cover is in place. We’re urging churches across the country take steps to protect themselves and follow our guidance which is available through our website. We will be at CRE Midlands 23 to advise churches on a personal level.’
• Ecclesiastical are on stand P29 at CRE Midlands 2023
Book your ticket for CRE Midlands 2023 here from as little as £3
Organisations looking to book a stand should contact James Batterbee 0161 250 2306 (E: james@creonline.co.uk) or Carol Malpass 0161 250 2467 (E: carol@creonline.co.uk)
Click to view the latest floorplan and price list for available stands
Embracing ‘vibrant’ Middle East artisans
We love taking every opportunity to showcase products from the Middle East, as the region is at the heart of everything we do.
So says Dan O’Callaghan, head of trading at Embrace the Middle East, exhibitors at CRE Midlands 23.
‘Hand-carved olive wood products and olive-related produce are key items which we can source from the area,’ he explains, ‘but we’ve also found some amazing local artisans producing beautiful handcrafted and hand-painted ceramics and glassware.’
Bethlehem Fair Trade Artisans (BFTA) offers artisans the opportunity to showcase their handicrafts for fair wages. The BFTA Craft Village is based in the heart of Beit Sahour, a suburb of east Jerusalem.
‘It’s vibrant, lively and brimming with a sense of community,’ says Dan.
The BFTA launched around 2009 and has grown exponentially. It supports 53 family-owned olive wood carving workshops, ceramics and glass workshops, and around 50 women’s co-operatives working in embroidery, basket weaving and jewellery. Several groups of artisans with disabilities create felt and wool products and handmade cards.
‘We’re so excited to be able to stock these beautiful items and show them at CRE Midlands 23, many crafted by families who have passed on their skills through the generations.’
• Embrace the Middle East are on stand E3 at CRE Midlands 23
Book your ticket for CRE Midlands 2023 here from as little as £3
Organisations looking to book a stand should contact James Batterbee 0161 250 2306 (E: james@creonline.co.uk) or Carol Malpass 0161 250 2467 (E: carol@creonline.co.uk)
Click to view the latest floorplan and price list for available stands
Why a coffee house in Strasbourg became Dan’s home-from-home
A community-centred café in Strasbourg last year became a home-from-home for one Birmingham student.
France Mission, an exhibitor in Mission on the Map at CRE Midlands 23, helps UK students find a French church where they can worship and/or serve during a year abroad. Under the scheme, Dan Rees went to Strasbourg.
‘In September 2022 I moved to the city to help out with the day-to-day activities of a church there,’ said Dan, a student at the University of Birmingham. ‘I saw God’s provision for me clearly and it was a joy to have fellowship with God’s people in another country, witnessing first-hand how he’s working there.’
Each Sunday, the church met in a hospital chapel where Dan played the piano.
‘I also enjoyed their home groups (called Living Rooms) and was part of a life group with three other men where we discussed God’s work in our lives and prayed for each other,’ said Dan.
The church runs Oh My Goodness! a community-centred café where members care for and develop links with local people.
‘This is done through providing coffee and food for homeless people,’ explained Dan. ‘There are various workshops and events throughout the week, including a community gospel choir which I accompanied on the piano. I was blessed to get to know many Christians and non-Christians through volunteering in the café three afternoons every week and am thankful for the opportunities it gave me to share the Gospel. Now that I’m back in Birmingham, my prayer is that God will continue to bless the work in Strasbourg.’
You can find out more of the work of France Mission in Mission on the Map at CRE Midlands 23.
• France Mission are on stand DS17 at CRE Midlands 23
Book your ticket for CRE Midlands 2023 here from as little as £3
Organisations looking to book a stand should contact James Batterbee 0161 250 2306 (E: james@creonline.co.uk) or Carol Malpass 0161 250 2467 (E: carol@creonline.co.uk)
Click to view the latest floorplan and price list for available stands
Good news: read all about it
While TV and radio news bulletins seem to be never-ending gloom and despair, hearing the cry ‘Get the good news here!’ makes a welcome change.
It was made by three evangelists working with the Outreach UK mission in Dunstable and Leighton Buzzard where they were giving out copies of the Good News evangelistic newspaper. Packed with testimonies of people whose lives have been changed by an encounter with Jesus Christ, the newspaper gets the Gospel out on the streets.
‘We gave away several hundred in less than an hour,’ says evangelist Andy Godfrey. ‘The fact that it proclaims nothing but good news makes it easy to promote.’
Written and designed for non-Christians, the monthly publication contains stories of both celebrities and ordinary people who have come to know Jesus. With something for everyone it can be offered to everyone. And there is space on the back for a local church to put its contact details.
• The Good News Evangelistic Newspaper is on stand C15 at CRE Midlands 23
Book your ticket for CRE Midlands 2023 here from as little as £3
Organisations looking to book a stand should contact James Batterbee 0161 250 2306 (E: james@creonline.co.uk) or Carol Malpass 0161 250 2467 (E: carol@creonline.co.uk)
Click to view the latest floorplan and price list for available stands
Podcasts prove popular for Bible teaching pioneers
Request from young supporters has encouraged the Open Bible Trust (OBT) to create podcasts from their 400-plus bible studies on YouTube.
It all began last year with a monthly ‘What is Wisdom?’ podcast by Michael Penny and W M Henry. The series of six was based on the book of Proverbs and the presenters did not shy away from difficult subjects like ‘Wisdom and Work’, ‘Wisdom and Money’, ‘Wisdom and Adultery’ and ‘Wisdom and the Tongue’.
This was followed by a second series of 13 episodes entitled ‘Looking into Luke’ with contributions from Sylvia Penny. Two of the podcasts looked at ‘Beelzebub and the Unforgiveable Sin’ and ‘The Transfiguration’ but by far and away the most popular one was ‘The Rich Man and Lazarus’. Michael Penny admits that dealing with this story took a lot of preparation, but he is pleased that the podcast has helped so many people. OBT are now about to embark on a third series ‘Exploring Ecclesiastes’.
‘Ecclesiastes is so interesting and deals with a number of important subjects relevant to an affluent, materialistic society like ours,’ said Michael. ‘However, what the author has to say about each one is scattered throughout the book. Our aim is to bring all the teaching on each individual subject together, making it easier to understand.’
Subjects covered will include ‘God’s Gifts and God’s Burdens’, ‘Time and Eternity’, ‘Evil Times and Happiness’, ‘Work, Labour and Toil’, ‘Wealth, Money and Riches’ and ‘What is Good?’
Formed almost 40 years ago to help Christians reach non-Christians, OBT also produce Search magazine and various Bible study books by Michael Penny.
• The Open Bible trust are on stand D35 at CRE Midlands 23
Book your ticket for CRE Midlands 2023 here from as little as £3
Organisations looking to book a stand should contact James Batterbee 0161 250 2306 (E: james@creonline.co.uk) or Carol Malpass 0161 250 2467 (E: carol@creonline.co.uk)
Click to view the latest floorplan and price list for available stands