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Streaming with laughter

Enjoy some of the funniest online service ‘fails’ and send Ship of Fools your favourite entries for the Streaming with Laughter poll

Ever since the hapless Revd Stephen Beach of St Budeaux, Plymouth, got a bit too close to some candles and set his jumper alight – ‘Oh dear! I’ve just caught fire!’ – churches around the world have been posting spectacular streaming service fails during lockdown.

Now Ship of Fools, the online community and magazine, is putting out a call for the funniest online church gaffes, which they will run in a readers’ poll later this year – to discover the best ‘Streaming with Laughter’ moment. Nominate your favourite online church clip here!

‘It’s been wonderful to see how willing local churches have been to embrace online church during a very difficult year,’ says Simon Jenkins, editor of Ship of Fools. ‘Despite some embarrassing and downright hilarious moments, church leaders have been willing to take risks, make mistakes, and then post them online for the rest of us to enjoy. We want to celebrate that.’

Some of the best examples sent in to Ship of Fools so far include a tree falling onto a worship group drummer, who heroically battles the foliage to continue playing, and a Catholic priest who forgets to turn off the augmentation filters on his Facebook livestream during Mass. As a result, online worshippers see him continue to lead the service wearing, in turn, a cartoon pink moustache, a cat mask, and a pair of sunglasses.

‘Our current print edition of CRE News (viewable here) offers several pages of useful advice on avoiding such calamities,’ says CRE owner and MD Steve Goddard. ‘And at CRE National in October (12-14) our special Church Digital feature will help churches go to the next level in learning how to broadcast their services effectively. However, with so many outsiders still, wrongly, viewing the church as po-faced, it’s good to show how we are also happy to laugh at our misfortunes.’

If you’ve seen an online church service fail you’d like to nominate for the ‘Streaming with Laughter’ poll, follow this link to Ship of Fools

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Don’t let your insurance get cancelled by Covid

Many churches do not realise their insurance claims have been potentially invalidated by the pandemic.

So says Russell Hickman, of Access Insurance, who points out how, with church premises not checked as regularly, even a leaky roof can fall foul of the conditions.

‘Few risk management or business continuity plans foresaw the possibility of closing premises for extended periods,’ says Russell, an advisor to churches for the Surrey-based company. ‘Charities in particular have faced the challenge of moving staff and volunteers to remote working.’

Income has also taken a huge hit.

‘Those who put gifts on a plate each Sunday were no longer doing so, but additional investment has been needed to put services online,’ said Russell. 

The majority of standard policies exclude any cover for Covid-19 related expenses or lost income. However the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has tested some policies in court to obtain a ruling on whether any cover exists and at least one church insurer is considering Covid-19 claims following a recent court ruling.

The case is based around extensions to the business interruption cover which traditionally covered losses stemming from damage at the premises insured, resulting in extra costs being incurred or loss of income as activity ceased. Over the years insurers have added non-damage extensions to the wordings to cover situations where, for example, the insured party could not access the premises for a variety of reasons, some of which included an outbreak of an infectious disease in the locality. Some insurers clearly define which diseases they cover, others are more ambiguous.

The FCA argued that the pandemic lockdown orders and the reluctance of people to continue in economic activity are ‘one indivisible cause’. The court passed a judgement, ruling that some policies did cover losses arising from the pandemic. A number of insurers appealed, but the Supreme Court ruled in favour of policyholders, ordering some insurers with ambiguous wordings to pay claims.

The ruling is unlikely to affect many non-profit organisations as several of the large specialist charity insurers had clear wordings, and the courts ruled they were not liable for Covid-19 business interruption losses.

Some charities were aware of the extent and limitations of their cover but a significant number believed they would be covered for Covid-19 related losses and expenses under their business interruption cover. While it was possible to purchase standalone ‘pandemic insurance’ before Covid-19, these policies were prohibitively expensive for most organisations and very few of these policies exist – cover for Wimbledon Tennis is one such example.

In addition, there is usually limited cover under business interruption policies for losses which do not arise from a defined peril (insured risk) like ‘damage to property’, i.e. having to use another office following fire damage to your own premises.

Aside from any contractual obligations, a group of insurers have donated over £80 million to a Covid-19 Support Fund, designed to assist community-based charities and those supporting the most vulnerable in society. The fund is being administered by a network of larger funding charities including the National Emergencies Trust. Insurers have generally been willing to be more flexible than normal with contract terms and obligations because of the pandemic and lockdowns/ tier system. Many insurers have waived or relaxed stringent policy conditions which would normally apply to buildings which become unoccupied for example.

Insurers are taking different stances on liability cover as policies are renewed, with some adding blanket Covid-19 exclusions and others making no amendments. In the main, larger charities are reviewing costs and seeking leaner insurance programmes which provide the essential cover they need, without some of the optional covers they might have opted to purchase before the pandemic. Key information which determines the cost of a policy should be shared with insurers as soon as possible. This includes projected income and wage roll figures and any change in activities.

Having a remote workforce means charities will want to review the insurance they have for office equipment, possibly widening the cover to include risks such as theft of laptops from employees’ homes. Similarly, if their insurance covers the running of the events and the hiring in of equipment. they will want to review whether the event will proceed and whether cover is required.

Access Insurance works with over 15,000 churches and charities to understand their unique risks and build specific policies – so organisations only pay for the cover they need. Access is willing to offer advice to churches and charities struggling to understand their position and they are invited to contact Russell Hickman for advice and support.

Access are exhibiting at CRE National (12-14 October 2021, Sandown Park, Surrey) and CRE South West (23-24 Feb 2022, Westpoint, Exeter)

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Time for the voice of experience on your fund-raising journey

While your church’s income may have taken a hit, the pandemic has provided you with a timely opportunity to give clear, direct talking on fundraising to members and supporters, say Action Planning.

‘If you are planning an appeal to pay for an improvement, or are already involved in such an initiative, you might now be asking if it has any meaning in the context of the pandemic,’ said Sean Tully, Action Planning’s lead associate for church capital fundraising. ‘Or you might be asking if this is the ideal time to push ahead with a capital appeal at all.’

With more than three decades of experience in helping not-for-profit organisations, Action Planning are taking the past 12 months into account when advising on major projects.

‘We have the privilege of talking on a weekly basis with churches the length and breadth of Britain,’ said Sean. ‘From the rural village church looking to install toilets and a kitchen, to the inner-city church completely rebuilding its premises to include housing accommodation and community facilities – and everything in between – we can help.

‘Our team of experienced, Christian fundraisers understand how you are feeling. We have walked the journey that you are on, or something very similar, and have learned the importance of “Committing to the Lord whatever you do, [so that] he will establish your plans” (Proverbs 16:3). Above all, we understand that the one thing every church capital appeal has is a community of faith, of place and, as the last 12 months have shown, of hope.’

Contact Action Planning to arrange a free, no-obligation chat about your project.

Action Planning are exhibiting at CRE National (12-14 October 2021, Sandown Park, Surrey)

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Dementia in lockdown: piecing together ‘lost’ lives

A third of people living with dementia felt like ‘giving up’ during lockdown, according to research by the Alzheimer’s Society.

And three in ten went for at least four days without a significant conversation with others.  

‘For carers and churches serving older people, knowing how to support those impacted by dementia can be incredibly difficult,’ said Louise Morse, a cognitive behavioural therapist and expert in dementia. She has written an information pack, Putting the Pieces Together, full of insight into dementia and related illnesses.

As well as practical information, the pack centres on the spiritual well-being of those living with dementia, and those caring for them. It is threaded through with the biblical principle that the person always remains – regardless of cognition or capacity. It also covers information and guidance at the point of diagnosis, support for the caregiver and ways to make the home safe for those living with dementia. 

‘When dementia comes into your life you need all the information you can get – but you don’t have time to read a book about it,’ said Louise. ‘Secular advice springs from the understanding that we are simply the sum of our parts but within a Christian context we are eternal beings in human bodies.’

Click here for more information about the pack which costs £12.

Louise, who works with the Pilgrims’ Friend Society, has also recorded a seminar offering practical and spiritual support for dementia caregivers, on CRE TV. You can watch it here.

• Pilgrims’ Friend Society are exhibiting at CRE National (12-14 October 2021, Sandown Park, Surrey) and CRE South West (23-24 Feb 2022, Westpoint, Exeter)

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Another bright idea for Easter from CPO

Poets, rap artists, sculptors, animators, designers, to name just a few, have joined forces to bring Easter to the world in a fresh way.

My Neon Life is a video launched over the holiday weekend for churches to use in their Easter Sunday services.

‘In Greek, neon means “new”’, explained Stew Smith, chief creative officer at Christian Publishing & Outreach (CPO). ‘It’s also our vision for Easter 2021. As we approach the easing of lockdown restrictions, we want to flood the UK with hope, reconciliation and gratitude – to magnify the message of new life found in the Easter story.’

CPO joined up with the team at Digital Church Toolkit to plan a campaign across print, online and in churches. They started by sharing stories of hope on social media, then launched a competition for UK Christians to create art which expresses the meaning of Easter in their own lives.

‘We engaged with poets, rap artists, sculptors, animators, spoken-word artists, writers, dancers, designers, videographers – anyone creative,’ said Stew. ‘Finally, we partnered with a Christian creative collective based in Bath, called Orphan No More.’

Together with Orphan No More, CPO have produced a video which communicates the story of Easter in an original way, highlighting the hope we can all find in the Gospel. Launched over Easter weekend, the video is available for download and can be included as part of churches’ Easter Sunday services.

‘We believe there has never been a better time to creatively capture the imagination of our nation with the Gospel,’ said Stew.

• Click below to see and download the video:

My Neon Life – on YouTube
My Neon Life – downloadable version

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‘Miserly’ Chris is the wizard of warm

A new, all-electric heating system has proved to be a winner with urban as well as rural churches.

ChurchEcoMiser was originally designed for country churches where gas was either unavailable or expensive and oil the only alternative. Now the system is winning plaudits from a wide range of ecclesiastical properties and those buying electricity through a ‘green’ supplier find it is also carbon neutral – allowing some churches to install solar panels which had previously been refused.

Designed by Chris Dunphy, who launched Christopher Dunphy Ecclesiastical Ltd 40 years ago, the system has no boiler, no flue and no noxious gasses.

‘Many of the 1000-plus churches that I have dealt with over the years are Victorian or medieval where protecting the fabric of the building is as important as heating the people, so it can be a challenging but very rewarding task,’ he said. ‘This system is virtually maintenance free, compatible with solar panels, silent in operation and warms the fabric and congregation.’

ChurchEcoMiser and Christopher Dunphy Ecclesiastical Ltd are on stand S7 at CRE National (12-14 October 2021, Sandown Park, Surrey)

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Your journey ends with Searchlight

Puzzling over service ideas for Mothers’ Day and Easter?

Searchlight Theatre have a package that not only saves you time but also provides a dramatic boost to your presentations.

It includes three short, cleverly-crafted sketches from the Searchlight team – each dramatically and humorously developing a different aspect of the Easter story. There is also a 20-minute message, All Stations to Easter, from CRE National 2021 speaker Jeff Lucas. Look out, too, for some bonus material for Mothers’ Day. You’ll find a 20-minute talk by Jeff and a moving song on video from Searchlight, visually accompanied by a performance from members of the cast.

Jeff, an international author, speaker and broadcaster with 26 best-selling books to his name, gives a clear message for each occasion. 

‘This is a resource for churches that have struggled to provide fresh, accessible material for online services over the past 12 months,’ said Searchlight’s David Robinson. ‘We hope it will provide a real boost.’

The complete package is available for £49. Click here for more details

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Insure your house and bless your church

Every time someone takes out a fresh home insurance policy, Ecclesiastical donates £130 to the church of the customer’s choice.

More than 2000 churches have already benefitted – one of them being St Marks & All Saints Churches in West Parley, in the diocese of Salisbury. With Covid-19 playing a part, treasurer Derek Warner is expecting a shortfall of between £15,000 and £18,000 for the year. Ecclesiastical Insurance’s recent Trust130 donation of £650 went into general funds – a welcome addition.

‘We have had no congregations, so no collections,’ said Derek. ‘But even more importantly, we have lost all our income from church hall lettings and survived by eating into our capital. The Trust130 money is absolutely vital – we’re very grateful to Ecclesiastical.’

Trust130 was launched in 2017, to celebrate the 130^th anniversary of the founding of the company and, to date, the company has given more than £430,000 to 2,283 churches around the UK. There is no limit on the number of donations which can be made.

Ecclesiastical are on stand S149 at CRE National (12-14 October 2021, Sandown Park, Surrey)

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Discover Jesus and justice with a bunch of ‘ordinary radicals’

A three-day online ‘retreat in daily life’ for lovers of Jesus and justice is planned for the new year (6-8 Jan 2021), designed to fit alongside your day-to-day responsibilities.

That’s the promise of Resilient Discipleship: Embodying spiritual rest when the world wants us to zoom – from Red Letter Christians UK. Led by a variety of ‘ordinary radicals’, this mini-retreat will be a moment to breathe and develop healthy patterns of spiritual nourishment in the strange times we live in. Participants will receive a pack by post containing a few items to help with this quest and will be encouraged to explore local spaces (where restrictions permit) to discover the sometimes-hidden reflections of glory all around us.

‘We will also enjoy daily reflections from experienced Christian activists, bringing us some spiritual food to chew on as we take some time out to allow God’s Spirit to lead us in re-creation,’ said Naomi Bennett.

Red Letter Christians UK is a relational network for those who want to live for Jesus and justice. It aims to be an open-handed network for people already living out a Jesus-centred approach to poverty, injustice, exclusion and social need in our communities.

‘We’re not interested in calling people OUT of existing churches, organisations or networks – we want to play a part in helping forge new and deeper connections amongst like-minded Jesus followers,’ said Naomi. ‘Our great desire is to inspire those who might be new to this vision of Jesus and justice, whether young or old, churched, un-churched or ex-churched. We’d love to help you meet co-conspirators and embrace what we believe is an essential part of a compassionate life lived with Jesus.’

Click here for more information about Red Letter Christians.

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Beyond Covid at Christmas: hope meets real lives

A free Bible resource has been created for churches and individuals approaching Christmas during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Produced by Christian charity Lifewords, The True Light connects the Nativity with the realities of Christmas 2020. 

‘As the global pandemic rages, the usual festive trappings will be overshadowed by sadness and uncertainty – even with the hope of vaccination,’ said Steve Bassett, creative director at Lifewords, a regular CRE exhibitor. ‘We’ve created a resource that responds to our shared struggle and pain and speaks of the true light meeting us in the hopes, dreams and disappointments of our daily lives.’ 

A print and digital resource, with a 20-page booklet and online conversation, The True Light asks the question: ‘How does the true light find you this Christmas?’ Hard-hitting contemporary collages frame scripture episodes of how the true light came – to shift workers, grieving mothers, lost young people and those fighting injustice and fleeing oppression. 

‘Through this resource we invite people to consider how the true light finds them this Christmas,’ explained Lifewords’ Elizabeth King. ‘In the original nativity story, hope meets real lives. We are encouraged that, whatever the situation, the true light is coming – and we are not to be afraid.’

You can use the resources individually, or share the story with your church, friends and neighbours.

Click here to order your free The True Light booklets (in packs of five).

Image: Collage artwork by Jadan Reeves-Bassett

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