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ByDave Hall

Home is where God’s heart is

Finding a home for every UK child and teenager who needs one – through fostering, adoption and supported lodgings. That’s the bold vision exhibitors Home for Good will share at CRE National 2022.

‘We believe churches have a crucial role to play to make this vision a reality,’ said CEO Tania Bright (pictured). As a former supported lodgings host and foster carer, and now adoptive mum to ‘two brilliant boys’, Tania knows personally the joy and challenge that can come as we reimagine family and open our homes.

‘Our faith inspires, motivates and encourages us to act and believe that change is possible as we stand firmly on a strong theological foundation and commit to prayer for every aspect of our work,’ she said. ‘For some this will mean personally exploring fostering, adoption or supported lodgings. For others it will be about intentionally offering support to families who love and are raising children with an experience of care in our churches and communities. The boys and I would not be where we are today without the outrageous love and fierce commitment of families in our church and beyond.’

Tania, speaking on all three days at CRE National 2022, will point to the fact that there are more than 50,000 churches in the UK. In every village, town and city these churches – big, small and in-between – are filled with people who want to follow the example of Jesus and walk alongside the marginalised.

‘When we read the Bible, it’s impossible to ignore an issue that is close to God’s heart,’ she said. ‘Psalm 68 tells us that he sets the lonely in families. Imagine the transformational difference the church could make if even more individuals and families in our congregations opened their homes to children and young people! Imagine the impact if church communities wrapped around those families with love, encouragement, prayer and practical support.’

• Home for Good are on stand V5 at CRE National 2022

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ByDave Hall

CRE debut for Two Lads and a Laptop

An unusual musical trio will join comedian Tim Vine at the opening of CRE National (10am, Tue 11 Oct).

Two Lads and A Laptop comprises Brazilian Nick Ingles, an accomplished cellist, Mike Roberts, a British-born electronic musician and a 16-inch MacBook Pro (birthplace uncertain) the founding member of the group and natural leader as far as it is concerned – at least for the next few years until it’s replaced… but that’s confidential.

Laptop allows Mike to turn cups into bells and even transforms Nick’s cello into an orchestra. In his spare time, when not attempting world domination, ‘he enjoys obsessing over the numbers 0 and 1, chilling by himself with an internal fan, and global networking,’ explains Mike. ‘But together, we’re on a mission to spread love, joy and peace!’

Loving music of virtually every genre and context, the three pals are happy to turn their hand to anything – performing unique versions of songs that inspire and lift spirits. They will perform at different times throughout the exhibition’s three days and they have a stand on the show floor as well, to chat to anyone interested in their repertoire or who think they may provide a useful contribution to the schedule of a local church.

Nick’s first encounter with the cello was in church. Classically trained, he has always explored an alternative repertoire, from gospel to pop, choral to musicals, and says ‘the cello seems the perfect instrument for such broad exploration.’ Mike’s first encounter with expressive sound was a blend of gospel organ from his Pentecostal roots ‘mingling with the jet sounds of planes approaching Heathrow.’

Mike, married with two children, and Nick, married with one daughter, live in nearby villages in Cambridgeshire and met when their two churches – Anglican and Baptist – held a joint get-together in 2020. Two Lads and Laptop often contribute to church-based events but also enjoy secular contexts – ‘just playing to bring pleasure.’

‘We love the opportunity to share the Gospel in music and welcome the opportunity to introduce our approach to CRE visitors,’ said Mike.

• Two Lads and a Laptop are on stand Y5 at CRE National 2022

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ByDave Hall

Info-Point: your visitors’ new guide

Two brothers-in-law have created a system for showing visitors round any church – without a personal guide.

Dan Boys and Joe Middleton established Info-Point from WildFi two years ago when Dan, a geography and environment management graduate, realised the system would benefit historic churches in remote areas with poor or non-existent wi-fi. It allows visitors to discover more about the building, its historic background and even the people buried in the churchyard.

The size of an A4 box file, Info-Point powers a QR code system which links with mobile phones to provide commentary in words, text or using photographs at key points in the church and grounds.

‘The system is simple and entirely self-contained and doesn’t use phone signals or require connection to the internet,’ said Dan.

St Swithun’s Church, Long Bennington, Lincolnshire have Info-Point. Anyone visiting the church with a smartphone can connect and take a historical tour of the church, read about its WW1 story and war graves, discover the God’s Acre churchyard wildlife project, download walks and rambles – and be informed of the church’s upcoming events.

On the Scottish Orkney island the unmanned Rousay Heritage Centre, which has no internet access, has the system installed to allow visitors to discover the island’s heritage using a touchscreen or their own device. The system can be installed in any church or churchyard – with solar power if no mains connection is available.

‘We are also using the system in a church which will need to be closed for redevelopment for some months,’ said Dan. ‘It will enable people to discover why the church is closed, the progress being made and when it will re-open.’

A church without a lot of historical background can still find the system useful. A notice board outside the church can provide the link to details of service times and other facilities.

• Info-Point from WildFi is on stand H4 at CRE National 2022

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ByDave Hall

A Bible for new Christians? Easy does it

The company which has made Bible reading easier to understand for children and young people has completed the age range with its latest publication – the ERV (Easy-to-Read) Holy Bible (Anglicised).

‘It is packed with extra help to enable you to understand what you are reading and encourage you to apply godly wisdom to your life,’ said Rachael Franklin, product manager for Authentic Media.

Based in Bletchley, the company is already the producer of the International Children’s Bible and the Authentic Youth Bible. The new publication, which completes the range, includes book overview guides, 164 ‘Bible Bits’ that explore key passages, 275 ‘Insights’ that explore the meaning of verses, as well as advice on how to read the Bible and maps of the Bible lands.

‘The ERV uses accessible and contemporary words and phrases,’ said Rachael, ‘and will be particularly helpful for new Christians, anyone new to reading the Bible or those on discipleship and evangelistic courses.’

It is available in three hardback designs – Floral, Black and Teal – for £19.99. The individual Matthew’s Gospel (£1.50) makes a helpful outreach tool. Bulk discounts are available from Authentic Media for churches and organisations.

‘Our range of books and Bibles for both adults and children are designed to bring people closer to God over a whole lifetime, helping them to mature in their faith. We want people to grow spiritually and be open to what God may be doing in their lives,’ said Rachael.

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

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ByDave Hall

Lockdown opens up worldwide audience for Veira

Less than 18 months after wife Sue donated him a kidney, opera and gospel singer Jonathan Veira will perform again at CRE National (Thu 13 Oct) – singing songs which earned him a massive following during the pandemic.

Over the long months of lockdown he, Sue and other helpers, produced a two-hour programme of songs and interviews each Sunday evening on Facebook and Youtube – to entertain thousands in isolation all over the world.

JV Live from the Steinway Room saw Jonathan chatting and singing with guests on Zoom or in the room itself when allowed. The programmes are still being broadcast on a fortnightly basis, live shows permitting.

An online community, which grew larger by the week, crowdfunded Jonathan to make three CDs of the songs they had grown to love – available at CRE National alongside his Hymns Project 2 album.

The popular singer, who has starred in most of the world’s famous venues in a variety of roles, and whose visits to churches and halls across the country continue to attract large audiences, was hospitalised for some time in June last year for the successful operation to give him one of Sue’s kidneys.

‘It feels brilliant to be back and performing again, in front of a live audience,’ he said.

• Jonathan Veira is in concert in the Arts Café at CRE National (3pm, Thu 13 Oct)

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ByDave Hall

Bell on song for CRE return

When asked to create a rainbow ark stole, Yvonne Bell was told a triceratops had to be included.

Yvonne, from Deanshanger, Northamptonshire, phoned the vicar when the stole was finished, asking if she could deliver it the next day. He agreed – providing it was after 4pm when his six-year-old son, who had insisted on the inclusion of the herbivorous dinosaur with a massive head and two large horns, would be home from school to give it the OK!

Exhibiting at this year’s CRE National for the first time in some two decades, Yvonne specialises in silk painting for vestments, icons on wood and acrylic on canvas. A Christian herself, she produces hangings for churches, altar frontals, pulpit and lectern falls and banners. Vestment ranges include chasubles and stoles for priests and copes and mitres for bishops.

Her original painted silk artwork is stretched over canvas or framed and canvas prints of her work have proved particularly popular. Commissions include designs for book covers and backcloths for conferences – ‘For just such a time as this’ is 14 ft high by 9 ft wide. A series of backcloths for Birmingham Cathedral, and a stole featuring an abstract of spaghetti junction, were part of her display at CRE in 1998.

Artwork often crosses over from paintings to vestments, as in ‘Given for you’ a set featuring a painting, stole and chasuble. The hands of God the Father are shown in rainbow colours as a reminder of the flood and covenant represented by the rainbow.

Yvonne began producing beautiful clerical items after returning to the UK from the United Arab Emirates. She was unable to get a job in her profession, operating electroencephalograms! A lover of art, she went to college and it led to a change of career and a switch to the C of E from the United Reformed Church.

‘That was fortunate,’ she explained, ‘because the URC do not wear clerical clothing of this kind!’

• Yvonne Bell is on stand R6 at CRE National 2022

Main picture: Yeshua’s Promise

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ByDave Hall

Primark and the Passion: Saltmine bring Easter to Norwich high streets

More than 1,400 local shoppers forsook the city centre high street and went to church over Easter – to see the final resurrection scene in a dramatic passion play.

The 80-minute contemporary performance was put on in various sites in Norwich by CRE National 2022 exhibitor Saltmine Theatre Company who partnered with Celebrate Norwich and Norfolk on Easter Saturday.

‘Not many people see what happens inside church but this was outside for everyone to see and experience. I enjoyed it,’ one shopper told the local evening newspaper.

Norwich-born Freddy Goyner was back in his home city to take the lead role.

‘It’s a big responsibility to play Jesus and bring a bit of what I know and believe the Son of God to be,’ he said.

The cast included 12 professional actors from Saltmine Theatre and about 40 actors, singers, and musicians from various local churches. The action took place twice in different locations, concluding with the resurrection in St Peter Mancroft Church. It had to be performed three times to accommodate all those wanting to see it.

Saltmine are available to perform at churches, schools, theatres and festivals with custom-designed sketches, national productions, issue-based theatre and workshops, or a range of programmes suitable for all kinds of settings and occasions. The Dudley-based theatre company has been reaching people with the gospel for more than 40 years using the creative arts.

‘We aim to reach all ages, teaching people about real life issues and inspiring faith, hope and love,’ said Rachael Orrell, Saltmine’s chief executive officer. ‘As we cautiously and gratefully celebrate surviving the covid-19 pandemic, our work will continue to evolve and diversify.’  

The company will perform samples of their work at Sandown Park in October.

• Saltmine Theatre will be on stand R1 at CRE National 2022

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

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ByDave Hall

Homeless people grateful for any pod in a storm

Towns as far apart as Barnstaple and Sheffield are among the first to use a unique resource to help homeless people.

Amazing Grace Spaces, exhibitors at CRE National 2022, are creators of the emergency pod containing a bed, chemical toilet and a USB socket for charging a mobile phone – providing accommodation for the user until a permanent home can be found. The Salvation Army, who run two Lifehouses for homeless people in Sheffield, have also installed two pods as part of a pilot scheme to provide temporary support. And in two months they proved their worth.

Andy Parkinson, manager of the Lifehouses said: ‘The pods are aimed at people who are not quite ready to come off the streets. They may have more complex needs such as mental health issues, offending history or addiction, which means they are not as well suited to a communal environment.

‘The pods provide a warm and safe place to sleep while The Salvation Army and local council tackle some of the reasons why the occupiers have become homeless. In two months we have seen a real difference in the two clients placed in them.’

In Barnstable, four newly-created demountable pods, which can be erected outside or inside a building, have been installed thanks to funding from North Devon Council and Freedom Community Alliance. They will provide safe overnight accommodation for four rough sleepers at any one time.

Councillor Nicola Topham, lead member for housing on the North Devon Council, said: ‘The pods offer a safe haven for some of the most vulnerable members of our community while the Enhanced Outreach team continues to work with each person to get them the help they need, long term.’

Stuart Johnson, from Llanwern, Newport, started Amazing Grace Spaces with his wife Caroline in 2015, after some years working with various charities to help the homeless. He is keen to find churches prepared to donate a car parking space on which to locate a pod.

‘The pods are not the final answer, but while someone is waiting for permanent accommodation, they are safe from bullying or injury or losing the few possessions they may have,’ he said. ‘They also give members of a church the opportunity to minister to them in a loving and caring manner.’

• Amazing Grace Spaces are on stand B4 at CRE National 2022

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

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