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
Book your ticket to CRE 25!
To book a stand at CRE 25, contact:
James Batterbee
T: 0161 240 4500
E: james@creonline.co.uk
BySimon
Mission on the Map at CRE 24: challenges and solutions
Enjoy a series of short TED-style talks about the current challenges faced by missions in the UK and around the world, along with their solutions, presented by organisations exhibiting in CRE 24’s Mission on the Map.
Wednesday 9 October
2pm – Moving from maintaining into mission
Bob Goody, CEO, Rural Missions
Many churches struggle maintaining buildings, grounds and ageing congregations. How do we shift our eyes from the sunset of yesterday towards the sunrise of tomorrow – gaining a fresh heart and vision for our communities? Hear stories and insights from small shifts of mindset that have transformed communities.
2.15pm – Engaging your community in faith conversations
Rev Tina Hodgett, Pioneering Parishes, CMS
How churches can become more outward looking, enabling church leadership teams and congregations to shift their energy outwards into the neighbourhood. Read more about Tina and Pioneering Parishes here.
2.30pm – Supporting global mission online: what’s changed in 25 years?
Mike Frith, CEO, OSCAR
Mike brings lessons learned from running an online mission support service for 25 years. What’s changed? What should we leave behind and what should we focus on going forward?
Thursday 10 October
2pm – Creating sustainable mission partnerships
James Vaughton, CEO, Transform Europe Network
Sustaining buildings with limited financial resources is always a challenge, but there is now an opportunity to build greater interdependence (rather than dependence) between those with the money and its recipients. Whether it is through matched funding or loans, James will point out how donors like this fresh approach because their money goes further.
2.15pm – Meeting people where they are
Nicki Pullen, House of Tree
Nicki works with House of Tree (HOT) near Amersham, a fledgling missional community with activities reaching people who are not Christians and for whom church is not on the radar.
2.30pm – Youth ministry in a rural context
Bob Goody, CEO, Rural Missions
With 24 years of experience working with young people, Bob will share a few stories, as well as top tips, exploring how rural churches can create a thriving community of young people from a standing start.
Mission on the Map exhibitors
The following organisations are exhibiting in Mission on the Map. Find them on the stand numbers below.
• Tools with a Mission (P 42)
• Scripture Union (P 44)
• Transform Europe Network (P 45)
• MomentumYes (P 46)
• Rural Mission (P 47)
• World Outreach (P 48)
• OSCAR (CRE jobs board) F 16
• Hope-filled Horizons (F 17)
• CMS (F 18)
• CMJ UK (F 21)
• Ataloss (P 43)
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
Book your ticket to CRE 25!
To book a stand at CRE 25, contact:
James Batterbee
T: 0161 240 4500
E: james@creonline.co.uk
BySimon
No organist? All the music you need, anywhere!
Dan Herbert, Distributed Sound and Video Ltd
Wed 9 Oct, 3.30-4.00
Talks 1 (sponsored by Action Planning)
Struggling to find or fund an organist? Is your organ in need of repair but you are unable to repair it? Introducing the Hymnal Plus
In this seminar you will:
- Discover the options available to assist churches where organists are unavailable
- Experience how technology can be used for playback
- Learn how to put together music for services in advance
- Sample the extent of the included hymns
- Enjoy the quality of the audio playback
The Talks Programme is free to CRE visitors – download the programme guide here.
Tickets for CRE 25 are available now!
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
Book your ticket to CRE 25!
To book a stand at CRE 25, contact:
James Batterbee
T: 0161 240 4500
E: james@creonline.co.uk
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
Book your ticket to CRE 25!
To book a stand at CRE 25, contact:
James Batterbee
T: 0161 240 4500
E: james@creonline.co.uk
BySimon
CRE 2024: Where churches go to discover you
After almost 40 years as the UK’s leading exhibition of church resources, CRE comes to Milton Keynes for the very first time (9-10 October 2024).
Alongside our many and varied exhibitors, covering all aspects of Christian life and church ministry, you will be in the heart of the home counties just 40 miles from London. The Marshall Arena is a purpose-built venue offering visitors easy access by road and rail, with plenty of onsite parking.
Almost 50 per cent of the visitors at our exhibitions outside Greater London tell us they have never before been to a CRE. Anywhere. Still more tell us it is their first visit for years. We expect similar statistics in Milton Keynes.
Join us at CRE 2024 where key purchasers from hundreds of churches across the south of England will go.
To discover you.
Click here for the official CRE 2024 brochure, floor plan and price list.
Contact
If you would like to exhibit, please contact:
James Batterbee
james@creonline.co.uk
0161 250 2306
Your church project: small but perfectly financed
Ninety-six per cent of the UK’s 163,000 charities are small, working with an annual income of less than £1m. Nearly half have an income of less than £10,000.
‘Small charities often struggle to find support that is right for them and meets the need of the organisation, yet doesn’t smash the budget,’ said Sean Tully, associate consultant with Action Planning, a company with more than 30 years’ experience in helping thousands of not-for-profit organisations, including churches, achieve their aims.
‘When it comes to providing consultancy support for charities, we believe one size doesn’t fit all,’ he said. During Small Charity week in June this year Action Planning, based in Tadworth, Surrey, launched a new small charity support service designed specifically to meet the needs of smaller organisations.
‘Our experts will be at CRE Midlands to talk to small charities about it,’ said Sean. ‘We have a network of 150 experienced consultants. Many have worked with and for small charities and church ministries. They understand the strengths, adaptability and impact that small charities offer their local communities.
‘At CRE you can find out more about how the Action Planning small charity support package could help you. The service is designed and delivered around the needs of small organisations at two levels – our small charity analysis tool, a written report based on the analysis, and half a day of consultancy support.’
Lesley Gladwell, chief executive officer for Rebuild East Midlands, said: ‘The small charity analysis was very easy to use and the questions caused me to think about some aspects of our organisational health in new ways. The sessions were so useful and left us with a real buzz of excitement.’
Action Planning will lead a training session on both days of CRE Midlands, entitled ‘Raising funds for capital projects in your church’ (12pm, Wed 8 and Thur 9 Nov).
• Action Planning are on stand B15 at CRE Midlands
Photo: The Action Planning team in action.
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
Benefact outrank Asda and churches pocket the difference
Essential support to churches and their communities is now available through new grant-giving programmes from Ecclesiastical, Benefact Group and their charitable owner Benefact Trust.
The Building Improvement Grants programme helps protect and enhance churches and Christian buildings – ensuring their continued use for generations to come. The programme will support capital costs such as essential repairs and improvements, conservation and restoration and energy-efficiency measures. Also, the new Community Impact Grants Programme, which helps projects making a positive and transformative impact on lives and communities, is also now open for applications.
These initiatives come at a time when the Benefact Group has been named the UK’s third-largest corporate donor to charity, according to the Directory of Social Change – The Guide to UK Company Giving 2023/24. This has been achieved by donating all dispersible profits back to churches, charities and communities.
In fact, the Benefact Group finished higher in the rankings than corporate giants such as Vodafone Group plc, Goldman Sachs International and ASDA Stores Ltd. The group has given almost £200m to good causes since 2014 and is aiming to reach its ambitious cumulative target of giving £250m by 2025.
Mark Hews, group chief executive at Benefact Group, said: ‘Owned by a charity, here at Benefact Group all available profits go to good causes, helping to transform thousands of lives for the better. The more the group grows, the more we can give and make an even bigger difference in society.’
Their flagship Movement for Good Awards is now in its 5th year and enables individuals to nominate their favourite charity (or charities), putting them into a draw for a chance to receive an award. This year they will be giving away over £1m in three main ways:
£1,000 draws – nominate a favourite charity at any time for the £1,000 draw. There will be three £1,000 draws this year, giving away between £120,000 and £150,000 in each.
£5,000 special draws – four themed special draws over the year, giving 10 awards of £5,000 in each. The first draw will be launching soon, so keep an eye out on their website for these limited time themed draws.
Larger Grants – These £10,000+ grants are available from July to support larger transformative projects get off the ground.
• 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