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ByDave Hall

Mental health: time our churches faced up to the challenge

Cheryl was about to get married and to everyone else her life looked good – but the 24-year-old medical student was hiding a deep depression.

The wedding came and went and things only got worse. Overwhelmed by dark thoughts, some days she even struggled to get out of bed.

‘My church had been incredibly supportive in helping to organise the wedding with many friends stepping in to help with flowers, food and decorations,’ recalls Dr Cheryl Hawkins (pictured above). ‘But no one realised how I was struggling.’

Eventually she got better and graduated as a doctor, quickly specialising in mental health. As a psychiatrist she saw Christians and non-Christians alike who struggled with the condition.

‘I also saw people in my church with similar issues and noticed they weren’t always well supported,’ she explains. ‘The church was great when someone had broken their leg, had a baby or were diagnosed with cancer, but when it came to mental health issues people didn’t seem to know the best way to help. They feared saying something wrong, or just failed to see that the person was struggling.

‘Like myself all those years ago, many people with mental health issues hide what they are going through, worrying about what people might think of them if they find out, so the issues are not even seen.’

Four years ago, Cheryl started delivering Mental Health First Aid training to businesses and schools. She has now produced a unique range of biblically-based courses to address the increasing number of mental health needs in churches. In 2022 she launched Encourage Mental Health CIC and this will be the focus of her stand at CRE Midlands 23.

She will also talk on ‘Bridging the gap: how to support mental health in your church’ (Thu 9 Nov, 3.30pm).

• Encourage Mental Health are on stand DS32 at CRE Midlands 23

Photograph: Dr Cheryl Hawkins

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

ByDave Hall

Denial and delay on racism in churches ‘must not go unchallenged’

The Archbishops’ Commission for Racial Justice has published the first of six reports on how to implement cultural and structural change within the Church of England – and its chair, Lord Paul Boateng, will be at CRE National 2022 to discuss the project to date.

In a foreword, Lord Boateng said it was a painful process as the examination of racism was often met with denial and delay, which ‘must not go unchallenged’. The commission is asking for a minimum of £20 million to be set aside to deliver the 47 recommendations of the earlier taskforce report From Lament to Action, adding that it was disappointing ‘how little thought has seemingly gone into utilising existing funding streams’.

It is also advocating fundamental change to the process for removing statues and memorials associated with the slave trade. It says the guidance is inadequate and incomplete and does not give sufficient consideration to the communities impacted, or the authorities in charge of the buildings. The consistory court process is too expensive and the chancellors/judges should be drawn from a more ethnically-diverse pool and receive diversity training.  The commission expects each diocese to develop a racial justice strategy by the end of the financial year.

Welcoming the report, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Rt Rev Justin Welby said: ‘It identifies the difficult and long path to eradicating the pain and injustice felt by so many but provides us with hope that, through the commission’s work, these issues will be addressed.’

Roy Francis, who will join Lord Boateng at CRE National to consider the commission and the Windrush legacy, said: ‘This initial report is timely and lays before us some of the issues the church and society must seriously confront. It offers some immediate, practical and workable solutions and I look forward to hearing Lord Boateng when he speaks on the commission’s findings at CRE in October.’

Book your tickets to CRE National 2022 for as little as £3 (£8 on the door)

Our next exhibitions

ByDave Hall

Kids and vaping: a new challenge faced by Hope UK

A huge number of children and young people are taking up vaping – not because they want to quit smoking but because they see it as cool and trendy.

So says Mary Deller, of drug education charity Hope UK, in the first of a special series of podcasts featuring CRE exhibitors. The organisation works with Year Six children, to help them in the transition to secondary school.

‘We are facing a whole host of issues that weren’t there in my youth,’ explains Mary. ‘At every school we are asked to talk to their young people about vaping. If you ask children who were vapes invented for, they’ll say teenagers or adults. But when you explain that vaping was invented for smokers who want to quit smoking, the penny drops.’

The Christian faith is fundamental to what Hope UK do.

‘It’s part of the legacy and the history of who we are as an organisation and what motivates us as individuals, both staff and volunteers, because we are all practising Christians,’ explains Mary. ‘We often quote John 10:10, where Jesus talks about giving us life in all its fullness, whereas the thief comes to kill and destroy. We make that analogy with drugs.’

The organisation is currently looking to recruit volunteers from churches.

‘It is a big commitment, but you get very good training, accredited by the Open College Network,’ says Mary, ‘so if you have a passion for this work and feel called, then I’d definitely encourage you to get in touch with us.’

See the whole podcast with Mary Deller of Hope UK.

ByDave Hall

All-action start for fundraisers in the new year

Churches looking to raise funds for innovative local projects are invited to attend a special event in London.

The Faith and Fundraising Conference (26 Mar 2025, Royal Geographical Society, London) will feature a range of expert speakers offering on-hand help and ideas. There’ll be plenty of time for in-person networking, too.

CRE exhibitors Action Planning have joined forces with Stewardship and Yeomans Marketing and Fundraising, to run the conference.

‘You will leave with new insights from generous funders, stories of success, practical tips from sector experts, contacts and inspiration to fuel you for the year ahead,’ say the organisers. ‘Those who attend will also receive a limited-edition publication with exclusive research findings, case studies, stories and stats to extend the benefit to their team and ministry.’

Speakers already announced include the CEO of World Vision, Fola Komolafe; Steve Campbell from C3; Tarn Bright, co-CEO of Home for Good/Safer Families; Jonathan de Bernhardt Wood, director of giving at the Church of England; Robin Peake, chair of Fundraising in Christian Organisations and Wendy Pawsey, head of giving for the Evangelical Alliance. Trusts and foundations represented include the Joseph Rank Trust, Benefact, Jerusalem Trust and the Stewardship Philanthropy Fund.

A full list of speakers will be announced over the coming weeks with early bird tickets already available.

• Action Planning will be on stand G3 at CRE 25

ByDave Hall

Rev Simo: How I lost a letter and gained a calling

Being neurodivergent is a gift from God and brings about creative ideas.

So says Rev Simo (aka Rev Simon Faulks), an Anglican vicar with a passion for sharing stories about God – and a first-time exhibitor at CRE 24.

‘We are all made in the image of a creative God and that takes many different forms,’ he says. ‘Neurodivergents often have a very creative outlook. My own experience with dyslexia and ADHD means life is not always easy and it certainly wasn’t growing up, but it has brought about many of my ideas. I am keen, therefore, to encourage others who are neurodivergent – and to help the church support both the participation and ministry of others who don’t always fit the typical mould.’

Rev Simo stepped down from his role as rector of five parishes in 2022 and began to establish Not Ashamed. He also serves part-time as assistant minster at St Mary’s, Bletchley and provides cover to other local churches.

The name Rev Simo came about when, at a youth work conference, the ‘n’ got missed off his name badge!

With more than 25 years’ experience in ministry, he has always looked for ways to use his interest in circus and illusion in ministry.

‘It naturally developed into storytelling,’ he explains. ‘I realised I was telling stories and using these other elements to help illustrate them. “I am not ashamed of the Gospel” (Romans 1:16) is my prayer for life and ministry.’

He will highlight two areas of ministry at CRE. Firstly, a discipleship workshop called Enter the Story that can be used as a tool for sermon preparation, RE Lessons and home groups. Some have taken it on as a way of exploring the stories of the Bible. Secondly, an all-age-friendly evangelistic storytelling show called Strange but True.

‘I love to be able to work with churches and schools in creative ways and I’m looking forward to meeting people at CRE 24,’ he says, ‘to talk over the various ways I believe I can help them make the gospel more dynamic and accessible to all ages.’

• Not Ashamed (and Rev Simo) are on stand C41 at CRE 24

Main photo: First-time CRE exhibitor Rev Simo

CRE 2025

To book a stand at CRE 25, contact:
James Batterbee
T: 0161 240 4500
E: james@creonline.co.uk

ByDave Hall

Superior software for churches? Gordon plugs the app

A suite of apps specifically designed for churches, combining well-established tools and fresh innovations – that’s the promise behind a new name unveiled at CRE 24.

The teams that brought churches Cambron Software, Power Music Software and Amplify Code have united under ChurchApps.co.uk.

‘While the name has changed, users can still expect the same exceptional customer service from the same dedicated professionals – now under a new corporate identity,’ said founder Gordon Cameron.

• Plan2gether.com takes the pain out of scheduling, creating recurring and non-recurring events, allocating people to teams, sending automated reminders by SMS text or email, editing rotas from anywhere on a laptop, tablet or phone – with the rota privacy level you want.

• The KidsClub.me app avoids the hassle and chaos of managing children’s club attendance and registration. It provides a user-friendly, online check-in and registration platform, tailor-made to meet the specific needs of a club. Say goodbye to paper sign-ups and manual tracking. By using the app, everything is streamlined and digital.

• Power Music is the best music display and management app for Windows, Mac and iPad/iPhone, putting an end to the hassle of working with paper music. All sheet music is stored in one place, enabling the user to share songs and playlists with other devices using Power Music Box.

Churches can buy hardware to support Power Music – from a MusicOne digital music stand to a bluetooth page turner. Also available are Power Music songbooks with Power Music Software now the only source for Spring Harvest songbooks from 2006 to 2020.

‘We invite churches of all sizes to explore our apps and see how our custom-made technology can enhance their mission,’ said Gordon.

• ChurchApps.co.uk are on stand E18A at CRE 24

CRE 2025

To book a stand at CRE 25, contact:
James Batterbee
T: 0161 240 4500
E: james@creonline.co.uk

ByDave Hall

Football freestyler to open CRE in October

World-renowned professional football freestyler Daniel Cutting (seen above) will open CRE 24 – and remind visitors how churches can use sport as a vital bridge to their local communities.

A 10-time Guinness World Record holder, Daniel, who lives in Milton Keynes, specialises in live entertainment, product launches, corporate events, social campaigns, commercials – and even the occasional school assembly! He has more than five million followers across social media and prides himself on providing the highest quality form of football entertainment.

He has been working as a full-time football freestyler since graduating from university with his skills taking him to more than 40 countries. He has the ability to provide entertainment and, depending on the occasion, tell audiences about his Christian faith.

‘I was delighted to be asked to open CRE,’ he said.

He has honed and perfected his skills, as well as developing his own unique style, and takes inspiration from other creative art forms, such as break dancing and gymnastics, which he incorporates into his shows. 

He realised that the determination, discipline and dedication needed for football freestyle was not only something to be admired but could also inspire others. He therefore encourages individuals not simply to take up football freestyle but to share these qualities while emphasising the importance of a healthy and active lifestyle which, when embraced, will help anyone to succeed.

CRE 2025

To book a stand at CRE 25, contact:
James Batterbee
T: 0161 240 4500
E: james@creonline.co.uk

ByDave Hall

Net zero, cost astronomical? Time to call the AP team

The Church of England wants to achieve net zero carbon emissions across its 32,000 buildings by 2030 – but how much will it cost and where will the money come from?

With a huge number of buildings to consider – cathedrals, churches, halls, housing stock and diocesan offices – the C of E Environment Team consulted CRE 24 exhibitors Action Planning for advice on fundraising.

‘We pulled together a multi-disciplinary team to cover all the angles,’ said Action Planning’s Sean Tully. ‘These included environmental funders (UK and international), faith-based funders (institutions, trusts and foundations), community funders (The National Lottery) and major donors, e.g ultra-high net worth individuals with an interest in faith and the environment. The picture is broader than you’d think!’

One standout insight from Action Planning’s research was the potential of statutory funding, local authorities and central government – a pot likely to be increased over the next decade. The company is preparing to deliver fundraising support for around 70 parish churches over the next two years and also delivering a series of free fundraising training webinars for Anglican churches and associated projects for individual dioceses.

‘It has been a real privilege to have been chosen to work with the C of E on such a big and important project,’ said Sean, ‘tackling a challenge that is evolving all the time, but which is also time critical.’

The C of E’s head of giving, Eleanor Stead, said: ‘It has been a genuine pleasure to work with Action Planning on this important project. They have delivered a thorough and thought-provoking feasibility study which their team should be very proud of. It asks some serious and challenging questions, but most excitingly highlights the opportunities available to make NetZero 2030 happen.’

• Action Planning will be on stand P20 at CRE 24 and contribute talks on fund-raising

CRE 2025

To book a stand at CRE 25, contact:
James Batterbee
T: 0161 240 4500
E: james@creonline.co.uk