Introducing the ‘me and eucharist’
A Birmingham pastor who started his own company creating easy-to-use communion containers, will exhibit his products for the first time at CRE Midlands (8/9 Nov, Cranmore Park, Solihull).
Bayo Oniye explained: ‘I was at a conference where the visiting speaker used a similar, all-in-one-system and realised how useful it was. When I contacted the company I heard nothing, so I decided to create my own, much-improved product.’
Holding a Masters’ degree in medical engineering, Bayo sold hip and knee replacements to orthopaedic surgeons before becoming co-pastor with his wife Bakang, a pharmacist, at Five Grace Church in Birmingham.
Together they started mmeyou – ‘a combination of two words — Me and You – from the words of our Lord Jesus: “This is My body (Me) which is broken for you (you).”’ The prefilled (all-in-one or separate) communion cups of red grape juice have a choice of packaged communion cracker or wafer.
‘Our vision is to serve the local church with a great tasting and hygienically-packaged product, especially important after Covid-19,’ said Bayo. ‘These are Holy Communion elements made from 100 per cent natural ingredients – ideal for individuals, families, small groups, churches and people taking part in services online. No matter how small or great your needs, we are here for you.’
Bayo believes mmeyou products are particularly useful for pastors taking communion in people’s homes.
‘While our containers have a large tag for opening purposes there is also a special pack for people who find it difficult to open the containers with the wafer in a small pouch,’ he explained.
Bakang, who looks after quality control, ensures there are no chemical preservatives in the drinks. There is also up to 100 per cent more drink (7ml of red grape juice per cup) than similar products, with a long shelf-life – eight months from manufacture. The cups can also be recycled.
• mmeyou are on stand DS5 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
Eyes down for the next Big Church Read
When Steve Barnett heard of The Big Thames Valley Read, in which everyone who lived alongside the river was encouraged to read Three Men in a Boat, he thought a similar idea would work in a church setting.
‘I reckoned everyone reading the same book at the same time would build fellowship and deepen faith,’ said Steve, who runs St Andrew’s Bookshop, exhibitors at CRE Midlands 2023.
Many years later, during lockdown, he was talking with Andy Lyon from HodderFaith about ways to get people reading. They decided to create The National Big Church Read if they could get either John Mark Comer or Pete Greig to join in. And both agreed! Three years on there are now over 40 Big Church Reads to choose from.
‘We encourage groups and churches to journey through a specific book together,’ said Steve. ‘The author records a short video for each week in which they encourage people to talk about the book. This can be played from the Big Church Read website.’
What has excited Steve is that people are drawn into reading who might not normally – and many read the whole book.
‘In our survey we discovered a third of the respondents said they didn’t usually read Christian books, and others said they didn’t finish books they had started,’ he said. ‘But all the people who did not normally read the whole book, did so.
‘We are hearing of how groups have been drawn closer, faith deepened and lives changed. This is why more than 90 per cent of those who have already been involved in a Big Church Read say they will join in another.’
‘I just want to see more people reading and taking advantage of the wonderful books which are available,’ added Steve.
• The 3rd National Big Church Read starts on May 24
• St Andrew’s Bookshop are on stand C23 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
Why there’s no need to fear the staging process
Be it a choral production, theatrical performance or presentation of ideas, an event is so much better if it can be viewed easily.
‘A stage helps to create the perfect platform,’ said Bill Bates (above, seen at CRE 2022), business development manager at Gopak Ltd. The British manufacturer and long-standing CRE exhibitor has been producing its Ultralight Staging System since 2006 alongside a range of lightweight folding tables – firm favourites with churches nationwide.
One church in Sheffield bought a Gopak stage when Covid-19 struck. For the first time their church services were transmitted online and a stage gave the music group and speaker much more visibility. The system is still in use.
Meanwhile a ladies’ singing group decided a portable stage would enhance their performances and a Gopak system won the day.
‘Our Ultralight staging system, constructed from aluminium like all other Gopak products, is a simple folding option ideal for any organisation without a permanent stage,’ said Bill. ‘It is great for choirs, musicians and performers who go from venue to venue and need to ensure they have a raised stage.
‘We have a range of 14 additional staging packages that include apron-fronted options, catwalks and drum risers. With straightforward assembly and disassembly, Ultralight is ideal for churches with limited time or space. Unlike many other options, our stages are made in Britain with care.’
While the company started in an East Sussex shed in 1954, it moved to purpose-built premises in Hythe, Kent in 1973 from where it has been producing its range of award-winning products.
‘We have supported CRE from its inception in 1985 and it is a great opportunity to discuss new products with a huge number of prospects and existing customers in one place,’ said Gopak’s Diane Ponting.
• Gopak are on stand P65 at CRE Midlands 2023
Photo: Bill Bates, business development manager at Gopak Ltd
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 there are 29,000 reasons to use a trusted energy broker
When the gas supplier to St Andrew’s Church, Islington, went into administration the church made a sensible decision – to call in a specialist energy broker.
Regular CRE exhibitor Andrew Silley, 64, found the church a more competitive supplier than the Ofgem supplier of last resort. However, due to the company’s poor practice, the contract never went live – an issue which didn’t come to light for a couple of months. Andrew raised a complaint with the supplier, who refused to accept any responsibility.
A former churchwarden himself, Andrew then submitted a complaint to Ofgem who upheld the complaint, found against the energy supplier and agreed to Andrew’s suggested resolution – that the PCC of the Barnsbury Team Ministry should not be financially disadvantaged as a consequence of the ‘negligent’ actions of the supplier of last resort. The remedy agreed by Ofgem is that the supplier has been instructed to credit the Barnsbury Team Ministry approximately £29,000 over the next three years.
The company concerned challenged Ofgem’s decision but this was dismissed and Andrew is now working to ensure payments are made to the PCC of Barnsbury Team Ministry.
None of the staff at St Andrew’s have had to spend any time securing the outcome – they simply had to be patient and trust Andrew’s expertise!
‘Lots of churches, charities and businesses think they can do it best when it comes to renewing energy supply contracts. Why use an energy broker?’ said Andrew. ‘But this episode demonstrates why it is worth getting expert advice.’
Andrew, who has exhibited at CRE for many years, is committed to using his industry knowledge and expertise to help churches and charities get the best deals for their energy. National retail chains, schools, care homes, churches and charities are amongst his customers.
‘I will usually get customers a better price from energy suppliers than they can obtain for themselves,’ he said. ‘I’m also available to be used by my customers as a remote consultant, to deal with issues that might arise.’
Things can go wrong when switching between suppliers and that’s where his industry knowledge and expertise comes into its own. He will never invoice for his services and offers a completely ‘hands free’ service that will save churches and charities time, effort and money. His work saves churches time and the hassle of dealing directly with energy suppliers.
• Andrew Silley is on stand C35 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
Pursuing a dream and changing a life
‘Your “student” has done better than she ever imagined possible,’ read the message. ‘We have obtained funding from seven out of 12 applications!’
They are words which blessed Sean Tully, a trusts and foundations specialist with more than 20 years’ experience in grant-making and trust fundraising. Sean now works for CRE exhibitor and sponsor Action Planning, a specialist consultancy for charities and other non-profit organisations.
‘It was a simple piece of work but had a profound personal effect on the volunteer, who prefers to remain anonymous,’ said Sean. ‘It’s always good to hear our support is bearing fruit for an organisation but the message went on to reveal a valuable personal benefit, too.’
The message continued: ‘The whole process caused me stress and angst. As a newbie to the village in which I live, what would it be like if I achieved nothing for the community? I realised there are things I can put my heart and soul into that can turn into something special from a starting point of nothing. In this respect the process has been life changing – thanks to your experienced counselling. So this is a very personal thank you for helping me through the process and for challenging what I was doing, to make it more relevant. We are now obtaining tenders for our project and the whole village is excited about the prospect of a new space for community to flourish.’
Action Planning’s work with churches ranges from very simple challenges like this, to complex challenges such as the successful bid compiled for the Diocese of Oxford in which a £2m grant was won from the Church of England Strategic Development Fund.
‘This client testimony came as a welcome reminder never to underestimate the impact we can have on the people we work with, regardless of the size of the prize,’ reflected Sean.
The thank-you letter concluded: ‘Bid writing is a lonely job and one which I had not tackled before but only by doing the job does one discovers what is involved. I am now thinking about what else I could tackle that I never thought I could do – singing is one of my thoughts!’
Sean commented: ‘Singing tuition in not among the many services we offer at Action Planning, but if our support inspires our clients to sing as well, we’re very happy with that!’
• Action Planning will be on stand B15 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
Let auto-reporting ease your copyright burden
A new system which automatically reports which hymns and songs have been used during a church service has been well received by churches throughout the UK.
‘Auto-reporting removes one of the biggest pain-points facing our licence holders,’ said Rich Burrough of CRE Midlands exhibitors CCLI. ‘We rely on reports from our customers so that royalties can be fairly and accurately distributed to song owners. But we know that it can be a burden and we have long wanted to make it easier to do.’
For the past few years, all reporting has had to be done manually online with churches encouraged to report weekly following their Sunday services.
‘We’re indebted to the many churches who report,’ continued Rich. ‘In the UK, the accuracy (and therefore integrity) of our pay outs is admired by mainstream copyright organisations, some of whom we work in partnership with. But, while most of the time it’s a fairly straightforward process, with a repertoire of 600,000 authorised songs, finding the correct version of a song can sometimes be a time-consuming process. With more than 24,000 UK churches registered with CCLI, plus a similar number of schools and Christian organisations, it’s so important that we get this right, so we’re really pleased to be introducing a better way.’
Now, with Auto-reporting, churches can connect a growing list of participating presentation and planning tools to CCLI’s reporting website – and their reports will be done for them! Auto-reporting is now available through ProPresenter, EasyWorship, MediaShout, Proclaim, OnSong, ChurchTools, SongBeamer, Loop Community’s Prime multitracks app and three free WorshipTools applications – Presenter, Planning and Music Stand. Other popular applications are coming soon.
How you enable Auto-reporting depends on the application you use but is typically as easy as ticking a box within your worship software. Then, as long as the songs in your setlists and service plans include the CCLI song number, they’ll be reported automatically. The best and easiest way to ensure the song number is always present and correct is to use CCLI’s SongSelect to pull in lyrics. Lyrics on SongSelect are now available free to all CCLI Church Copyright Licence holders.
‘Thousands of churches have already enabled Auto-reporting,’ says Rich, who will be at CRE Midlands 2023. ‘I’m looking forward to showing CRE visitors how easy it is, and helping more and more to get started.’
• CCLI are on stand D29 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
Twin your turnips and bless a family
Twin your garden and plant hope for a family in rural Kenya.
That’s the suggestion from Ripple Effect, a charity that works alongside farmers in six countries in East Africa, helping them learn more, grow more and sell more.
‘If you are proud of your garden, whether it is large or small or even a simple patio, you might like to twin it with a family in Migori, Kenya,’ said Ann Hatton, Ripple Effect’s church development executive. ‘By doing so, you will plant hope for a family, so they can grow more food in their own gardens.’
Ripple Effect started in 1998, under the title Send a Cow. Christian farmers answered an appeal from the Bishop of Uganda, with families desperately short of milk after a long civil war. But from that humble beginning the project blossomed, enabling African families to learn how to create productive allotments on small plots of land – to produce food to feed the family and provide enough to sell for other necessities.
‘We are a farming expertise charity, training women how to improve the quality of land they farm,’ said Ann. ‘We also offer talks on health and safety, as well as social development – and in more recent times, Covid-19.’
Ripple Effect, exhibitors at CRE Midlands 2023, are now asking UK Christians to twin their gardens to plant hope for a family in Migori, Kenya. A £60 donation provides three years training in sustainable organic farming, beginning with a small kitchen garden which the families are encouraged to set up and use as a small business which can also provide for others.
‘Not only that, but the families helped are encouraged to share what they have learned with neighbours and communities, creating a ripple effect across rural Africa,’ explained Ann.
‘Families learn to build productive farms and adapt to the effects of the climate crisis. Women and people with different needs and abilities get a greater voice and influence in their communities. Farmers learn enterprise skills and become resilient entrepreneurs, in charge of their own futures.’
She pointed out that UK donors not only gets the pleasure of knowing they are giving a new start to a family in a rural district of Kenya, but also receive a sustainable wooden plaque to mount in their own garden, a vegetable growing guide from no-dig expert Charles Dowding, and wildflower seeds to give a colourful annual reminder of the help they have given to others. In the same way, churches with gardens can twin them and display the plaque to those who visit.
• Ripple Effect are on stand F7 at CRE Midlands
Organisations looking to book a stand at CRE Midlands 23 should contact Carol Malpass 0161 250 2467 (E: carol@creonline.co.uk) or James Batterbee 0161 250 2306 (E: james@creonline.co.uk).
Click to view the latest floorplan and price list for available stands
Visitor registration for CRE Midlands 23 will begin in the Spring
Facing the facts: booklet dispels popular myths about Jesus
An evangelistic booklet called ‘Jesus Unmasked: Fact-Checking the World’s Greatest Influencer’ is already into its second print run.
Written by Andrew Halloway, editor of national evangelistic newspaper Good News, the booklet was only published last year but sold out within six months. Specifically designed for churches and individuals to give away to non-Christians, Jesus Unmasked tackles the effects of a recent survey which shows that only 54 per cent of the UK population are sure that Jesus was a real human being. Those who believe Jesus is a mythical or fictional character has risen from 22 per cent to 28 per cent. Only 49 per cent of those aged 18-24 believe in the historicity of Jesus.
‘There’s always a need to share the good news about Jesus in a way that is contemporary, fresh and relevant,’ said Andrew, ‘so this booklet is written in today’s language and illustrated throughout. We live in a society where most people know very little about Jesus. What they do know is often inaccurate because of the untruths that are pushed around by atheists on the internet. Yet, as the Talking Jesus survey showed, one in three non-Christians want to know more about Jesus Christ. I’ve written the booklet to counter false impressions that many have innocently taken on board.’
Step-by-step, the booklet tackles arguments about the Bible being written long after Jesus lived (and inaccurate) or written by a biased Church. It shows there is plenty of historical evidence to back up the Gospel accounts. Jesus Unmasked also shows why Jesus’ life and teaching, and ultimately resurrection, form a strong argument that he is the son of God. At the end the reader is challenged to consider Jesus and discover a relationship with him for themselves.
Jesus Unmasked can be read in full here and costs £1 for one copy or 80p each if ordered in a pack of 5 or 20, plus p&p. Email: goodnewsoffice7@gmail.com to order.
With more than 30 years in Christian publishing behind him, Andrew will be at CRE Midlands in November to talk about the booklet and his monthly publication, the Good News newspaper, which offers a selection of easy-to-read articles with testimonies and helpful material for non-Christians. Thousands of copies are given away in door-to-door ministries and in personal evangelism.
• The Good News newspaper is on stand C15 at CRE Midlands 2023
Organisations looking to book a stand at CRE Midlands 23 should contact Carol Malpass 0161 250 2467 (E: carol@creonline.co.uk) or James Batterbee 0161 250 2306 (E: james@creonline.co.uk).
Click to view the latest floorplan and price list for available stands
Visitor registration for CRE Midlands 23 will begin in the Spring
Church of the Ascension rises from the ashes
A church in Greater Manchester has been spectacularly rebuilt following a devastating fire six years ago.
The blaze, which destroyed the roof and much of the interior of The Church of the Ascension in Lower Broughton, took dozens of firefighters with six fire engines to extinguish. Gas pipes melted with the subsequent ignition causing additional damage. The roof of the building collapsed and the interior was destroyed.
The £5m restoration of the Grade II-listed church in Salford has involved many partners including specialist insurer and CRE Midlands exhibitor Ecclesiastical – along with local architects, contractors, engineers and project managers overseen by the Diocesan Advisory Committee.
Damage to the 149-year-old church, designed by eminent Manchester architect James Medland Taylor, occurred after the community had spent three years fundraising and securing grants totalling £250,000 to go towards a renovation.
Jeremy Trott, claims director at Ecclesiastical Insurance, said: ‘It’s fantastic to see the church restored to its former glory and to bring the community back through its doors. As a specialist insurer set up more than 135 years ago, we have a huge amount of expertise in working with churches. We understand the complex nature of a restoration of this scale. I’d like to thank the teams who worked on the project and the church community for their support.’
Fr Falak Sher, priest in charge, took over two years ago and was delighted when the church was officially reopened in November last year.
‘Broughton is a poor area and the church is surrounded by blocks of flats which have recently been built so the church is a witness to the new community of all nationalities,’ he said. ‘In the past few months I have conducted six weddings, 15 baptisms and three funerals, so it is already being well used. The reconstruction means that, while the exterior looks similar to the past, the interior is completely suitable for community work – a mixture of old and new which presents a lovely welcome atmosphere.’
To mark the six-year anniversary of the devastating fire at the Grade-II listed church, the team at Ecclesiastical Insurance have created a case study which showcases just how much adversity the church overcame to restore the beautiful building.
• Ecclesiastical are on stand P29 at CRE Midlands 23
Organisations looking to book a stand at CRE Midlands 23 should contact Carol Malpass 0161 250 2467 (E: carol@creonline.co.uk) or James Batterbee 0161 250 2306 (E: james@creonline.co.uk).
Click to view the latest floorplan and price list for available stands
Visitor registration for CRE Midlands 23 will begin in the Spring
Bursting with good news, CRE is expanding!
Strong demand for stands at this year’s Christian Resources Exhibition has encouraged the event’s organisers to expand the exhibition floor area.
CRE Midlands will take place at Cranmore Park, Solihull, near Birmingham on 8-9 November 2023.
‘With several organisations booking space every week, we can now offer positions in the venue’s Diamond Suite,’ said CRE event director Brett Pitchfork. ‘This will enable us to run Mission on the Map, where a number of agencies will come together to focus on mission opportunities and resources, at home and abroad.’
Securing the Diamond Suite also means the event’s talks and arts programme will be increased with a third presentation area in the body of the hall.
‘We are grateful to our loyal exhibitors for supporting us through Covid and beyond,’ said Brett. ‘It is also encouraging to see several new organisations taking the opportunity of reaching key local church leaders throughout the Midlands and beyond.
’The venue is conveniently located in a major conurbation, near the motorway network. At similar centres nearby, parking can prove prohibitively expensive for exhibitor and visitor alike – but Cranmore Park has free parking for hundreds of vehicles.
‘Although there are more than eight months to go until the doors open, any organisation considering exhibiting should contact the sales team as soon as possible.’
Rev Mike Royal, general secretary at Churches Together in England, said: ‘I’m delighted CRE is coming to Birmingham. It provides a unique opportunity for church and charity leaders to engage with the widest network of Christian organisations seeking to make a difference at home and aboard. I am looking forward to seeing many people there!’
Organisations looking to book a stand should contact Carol Malpass 0161 250 2467 (E: carol@creonline.co.uk) or James Batterbee 0161 250 2306 (E: james@creonline.co.uk).
• Click to view the latest floorplan and price list for available stands
• Visitor registration will begin in the Spring