Making a difference this Christmas is on the cards
If your church sends greetings cards to the local community, there are 50,000 reasons why you should source them from Just Cards Direct.
The company was established in 2007 and designs and sells high-quality Christian cards and gifts.
‘We support craft projects in Africa,’ said the company’s founder Anne Stiles. ‘So far we have donated £50,000 to Christian charities.’ Having received numerous requests for their products, Just Cards now offer a dedicated churches’ account and discount.
‘You will receive 25 per cent off all of our products, including cards, notebooks, colouring products, colouring pencils, coasters, mugs, keyrings and lots more,’ said Anne.
There’s also an invoice facility with 30 days’ free credit, which means no delay in getting your supplies.
‘Even if you’ve never sent cards before as a church, this year might be a good time to start,’ said Anne. ‘With thousands of people isolated in their homes through Covid-19, why not send a Christmas card to those in your parish, or a small gift hamper to a struggling family?’
For more information click here.
Join our mailing list to make sure you receive a free copy of the CRE At Home 2020 handbook, which will be posted in October
Our next exhibitions
CRE South West 2021 – 17-18 March 2021
Westpoint, Exeter
CRE National 2021 – 12-14 October 2021
Sandown Park, Surrey
‘Fresh and green’: God has big plans for older people
For older people during the pandemic, Pilgrims’ Friend Society’s care homes and independent living schemes have proved an emotional lifeline.
‘We are passionate about providing residents with spiritual support, whether that’s through devotions with staff and other residents, or simply a quiet bedside prayer with another member of the community,’ said the society’s Helen McKay-Ferguson. ‘This has been especially significant over the past six months.’
The society’s homes and housing schemes have connections with local churches which many residents attend.
‘When visits to our homes are not restricted, invited speakers lead regular devotional times,’ said Helen. ‘Many local churches also provide practical support, through fundraising events, financial giving or volunteering and visiting.’
Psalm 92:14 reads: ‘They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green.’
‘In a culture where negative views of aging abound, the biblical perspective is refreshing and energising,’ said Helen. ‘We have more than 200 years’ experience of supporting older people and believe God has big plans for them.’
Myrtle, a lady living at the society’s Framland home in Wantage, Oxfordshire, said: ‘I’m thankful to be alive and to be living here.’ Doris lives in an independent living scheme in Bedford. ‘It’s like having your own home,’ she said, ‘and at the same time being part of one big family.’
The society has a range of resources to help churches encourage their older members.
• Pilgrims’ Friend Society are exhibiting at CRE National 2021 (12-14 Oct 2021). For more information click here
Join our mailing list to make sure you receive a free copy of the CRE At Home 2020 handbook, which will be posted in October
Our next exhibitions
CRE South West 2021 – 17-18 March 2021
Westpoint, Exeter
CRE National 2021 – 12-14 October 2021
Sandown Park, Surrey
Fundraising? Click into gear with Ecclesiastical
Fundraising has always been vital for churches – and the internet has opened up many additional ways to increase much-needed funds.
With this in mind, Ecclesiastical have launched an easy-to-use online fundraising hub offering lots of great ideas and simple advice.
‘It can be daunting to know where to start,’ admitted Michael Angell, church operations director for Ecclesiastical Insurance. ‘Drawing on our own experience of over 130 years’ working with churches and on the advice of fundraising experts, we’ve pulled together a range of top tips to help you grow your existing income streams and develop new sources of income.’
The hub includes guidance on digital fundraising – including crowd-funding and running online events, as well as using the web to keep your congregation and wider community informed and engaged. There is help with researching sources of grant funding and writing professional applications that can make all the difference to the answer you receive.
A series of video webinars includes one in which internationally-respected expert Caroline Underwood from Philanthropy Company, who has worked with global charities, shares some of her fundraising secrets.
Click here to find out more.
• Ecclesiastical Insurance will be exhibiting at CRE National 2021 (Sandown Park, Esher, Surrey 12-14 Oct)
Join our mailing list to make sure you receive a free copy of the CRE At Home 2020 handbook, which will be posted in October
Our next exhibitions
CRE South West 2021 – 17-18 March 2021
Westpoint, Exeter
CRE National 2021 – 12-14 October 2021
Sandown Park, Surrey
Time we moved on from ‘science versus God’
If you are perplexed by the pandemic in particular and science in general, help is available from Christians in Science (CiS).
Exhibitors at the forthcoming CRE South West 2021 (Westpoint, Exeter, 17-18 March), CiS offer helpful material on a number of relevant subjects, including Coronavirus. Although primarily a professional group, a proportion of its almost 1000 members are not scientists.
‘We are happy to welcome anyone with an interest in science and faith,’ said CiS development officer Steph Bevan. Current members include highly distinguished senior scientists and gifted speakers. Local groups are scattered around the UK and Ireland.
‘It’s a common misperception that there is always conflict between science and faith and this can be abused by those with anti-Christian or anti-science agenda,’ explained Steph. ‘In reality, science has always been the domain of many committed Christians.’ She recalls how astronomer Johannes Kepler dedicated one of his papers with a prayer: ‘I have here completed the work of my calling, with as much intellectual strength as you have granted me.’ This same attitude is shared by many Christians who work in science today.
Four fascinating lectures, given at an online conference last month, include three on God and pandemics. All are available on the group’s YouTube site.
Prof Bob White, FRS, speaks on Plagues and Pandemics: perspectives from science and faith. A professor of geophysics at Cambridge University and director of the Faraday Institute for Science and Religion, comments: ‘Viruses such as Covid-19 travel around the globe at, literally, the speed of a jet airliner. At least in the high-income countries today we have developed the hubris of thinking we can control our world, that we are in charge. So when something like the Covid-19 pandemic hits us it’s a shock to our whole way of thinking, to our individualistic lifestyles, and it exposes the inequalities and injustices in our world.’
Dr Mirjam Schilling, a researcher at the University of Oxford working on the interplay of viruses and the innate immune system, asks whether viruses are part of God’s creation. ‘This year a virus is affecting all of us dramatically. But are viruses as evil and vicious as we like to portray them?’ she contends. ‘When you look at the pictures and images, there’s symmetry and beauty. We underestimate them because we think only about their function. It’s interesting how they mechanistically work. As we do more research we may be able to use them as a therapeutic agent in some way. I’m quite excited about viruses though I accept this is a very subjective view!’
Christians in Science produces a quarterly magazine, PréCiS, which informs its membership of science and faith events around the UK and Ireland and includes short articles and interviews. A current aim of CiS is to forge stronger links with local churches both to encourage congregations to see how science can enhance faith and worship and to help in outreach events by answering objections to belief based on mistaken ideas of a conflict with science. In these ways, CiS is offering itself to churches as a partner in mission.
• Christians in Science (CiS) will be exhibiting at CRE South West (Westpoint, Exeter, 17-18 March).
Join our mailing list to make sure you receive a free copy of the CRE At Home 2020 handbook, which will be posted in October
Our next exhibitions
CRE South West 2021 – 17-18 March 2021
Westpoint, Exeter
CRE National 2021 – 12-14 October 2021
Sandown Park, Surrey
Befuddled by fundraising? Now there’s a Saint at your service
Churches looking to rekindle a capital appeal project in the wake of lockdown can increase their chances of success with the help of a third sector consultancy.
Prior to lockdown, Action Planning ran three church capital appeals workshops on behalf of the Diocese of Oxford. All three were oversubscribed. Now the consultancy is planning to take this service online, giving churches throughout the UK the opportunity to log on and gain valuable insights for their own projects.
‘It’s not uncommon for churches to be sitting on capital projects that were launched years ago but have stalled for some reason,’ explained Action Planning chairman David Saint. ‘It’s a classic case of “don’t spoil the ship for a ha’porth of tar”. Successful capital appeals rely on a number of factors: a realistic target, a strong case for support, a plan of action, good communication, faith… We help church fundraisers to make all these factors watertight and give them a clear plan for launching – or relaunching – their appeal. As Christians ourselves, we are always keen to see church projects succeed.’
Action Planning’s experience in church capital appeals is extensive and among its network of consultants are seasoned church fundraising specialists whose expertise is renowned, not least David Saint himself. Associate consultant Andrew Barton is another highly-respected expert in church fundraising. Earlier this year he carried out extensive bid writing work for Oxford Diocese, which clinched a £2m grant from the Church of England Strategic Development Fund. Three churches across Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire had appeals that had been in play for more than 10 years reignited by a feasibility study carried out by David Saint and associate consultant Sean Tully.
One, St Mary’s in Bloxham, Oxfordshire, reported that ‘Action Planning’s recommendations were spot on… it was helpful to have a third party telling us the things we need to address.’ St Mary’s have since asked Action Planning to deliver a further piece of work, advising them on how best to pursue their strategy in light of Covid-19.
‘In addition to our practical experience, it’s often our objectivity that enables us to bridge gaps and bring all parties together behind one cohesive plan,’ says David Saint. ‘For thousands of churches around Britain that are trying to recover from the blows inflicted by the pandemic, the need for calm, experienced guidance has never been more pressing.”
• Action Planning are exhibiting at CRE South West 2021 (17-18 Mar) and CRE National 2021 (12-14 Oct). For more information click here
Join our mailing list to make sure you receive a free copy of the CRE At Home 2020 handbook, which will be posted in October
Our next exhibitions
CRE South West 2021 – 17-18 March 2021
Westpoint, Exeter
CRE National 2021 – 12-14 October 2021
Sandown Park, Surrey
Coming through Covid with a building to bless
Can existing buildings be re-purposed in our brave new post-pandemic world?
CRE exhibitors CPL Architects think so and are taking up the challenge under their new Building to Bless initiative.
‘It has been wonderful to see churches developing a vision for their local communities within the constraints of social distancing,’ said CPL’s Phil Winch. ‘They are delivering new outreach projects through innovative building projects, meeting the new needs of our world.’
With online streaming of services a necessary form of collective worship under lockdown, the gradual relaxation of government restrictions has required a fresh look at how existing physical buildings can be re-purposed.
‘Social distancing requirements effect many aspects of the built form,’ explained Phil, ‘including access, egress, circulation, ventilation and spacing between seating. It all means larger areas are needed for the same number of people.’
Many churches are reviewing their building portfolios to see how they can be modified to meet these important new requirements, suggests Phil. At the same time, some churches are seeing this crisis as an opportunity to achieve a more aspirational vision – to bless their communities with new ventures delivered through exciting building programmes.
A Building to Bless project in Beckenham (pictured) envisages a brand-new facility on the high street, providing a safe and attractive offering to the night-time economy with music events, fine coffee and other social activities to meet community needs.
‘If you have a vision for your community in these challenging times, we would love to hear about your ideas for Building to Bless,’ said Phil. Click here for more information.
• CPL Architects are exhibiting at CRE South West 2021 (Westpoint, Exeter, 17-18 Mar) and CRE National 2021 (Sandown Park, Esher, Surrey Oct 12-14)
Join our mailing list to make sure you receive a free copy of the CRE At Home 2020 handbook, which will be posted in October
Our next exhibitions
CRE South West 2021 – 17-18 March 2021
Westpoint, Exeter
CRE National 2021 – 12-14 October 2021
Sandown Park, Surrey
Let your light shine (and don’t be LED astray)
Most of us fail to consider how much oil our church lighting burns – not the refined hydrocarbon found in traditional oil-burning lamps but the environmental cost of the energy used by everyday light bulbs.
‘On average, churches in the UK use between 22,000 and 30,000 kWh of electricity annually,’ said David Burch of CES, a lighting design and installation practice with teams dedicated to re-lighting heritage churches. ‘To put this in perspective you could make two million cups of coffee with this energy, which in the C of E is probably about right!’
Worryingly, this is also equivalent to 2,800 litres of oil being burnt and expelled into the atmosphere. And although the UK government has made inroads into green and renewable energies, the jury’s still out on whether we’ll meet the 30 per cent target by the end of 2020. So how can churches play their part?
‘New technologies can allow us to cut lighting energy consumption by 90 per cent,’ said David. ‘At CES we understand the importance of system longevity with minimal maintenance. Churches are charities and we appreciate the importance of value for money where budgets are tight. We also understand how lighting can be used architecturally and impact worship for good.
‘New LED lighting should not be entertained without careful consideration and professional assistance. Many quick swaps or poorly-designed schemes are a false economy!’
• CES Lighting are exhibiting at CRE National 2021 (12-14 Oct 2021). For more information click here.
Join our mailing list to make sure you receive a free copy of the CRE At Home 2020 handbook, which will be posted in October
Our next exhibitions
CRE South West 2021 – 17-18 March 2021
Westpoint, Exeter
CRE National 2021 – 12-14 October 2021
Sandown Park, Surrey
It’s back – to brighten up the summer
A paper bringing much-needed good news in a disrupted summer is now available for distribution in your locality.
The monthly eight-page newspaper, Good News, which includes a variety of encouraging articles, has returned after the May edition was cancelled due to COVID-19. Its front page gives a message of hope and other articles include a story on the miracle of Dunkirk in May 1940, when thousands answered the call to prayer and thousands of troops were rescued from the beaches of France.
Boxer Tyson Fury talks about his faith and remarkable comeback. Villagers in Whaley Bridge tell of how they believe prayer stopped last summer’s dam from breaking.
Good News editor Andrew Halloway hopes churches will return to door-to-door delivery (bearing social distancing in mind) and points out that scientific experts have said that newspaper is a safe agent and does not pass on the virus.
‘We have produced 70,000 copies of the paper and trust churches will grasp the opportunity to engage with people in their local area,’ he said. ‘We have also sent double our usual quantity of copies to prison chaplains, knowing that prisoners, having to spend longer in their cells during the lockdown, could be glad of extra reading matter.’
Good News is ideal for door-to-door distribution, or leaving in hospitals, doctors’ and dentists’ waiting rooms. It is also an excellent resource for visitors to services or people who attend parent and toddler groups, senior citizens’ luncheon clubs and so on.
With more than 30 years’ experience in Christian publishing, Andrew’s first issue as editor was in October 2007.
Find out more by visiting Good News
Join our mailing list to make sure you receive a free copy of the CRE At Home 2020 handbook, which will be posted in October
Our next exhibitions
CRE South West 2021 – 17-18 March 2021
Westpoint, Exeter
CRE National 2021 – 12-14 October 2021
Sandown Park, Surrey
Collecting cash a problem? Tap the app!
With cash collections currently proving a problem because of Covid-19, one innovative company is rolling out the solution.
The Givt app enables members to give anonymously using their smartphones (iOS or Android), without payment terminals or expensive hardware.
‘You simply open the app and choose your amount,’ explains Givt’s Sjoerd van Oort. ‘You then select giving based on location and the app knows where you are. That’s all there is to it! After COVID-19, you will be able to move your smartphone past the collection bag. People joining the service via a livestream can scan a Givt QR code displayed during the service. In this way, all people can give, wherever they are.’
Sjoerd, who first brought Givt to CRE National in 2018, is convinced that giving is more than a financial transaction – it is also relational.
‘All current solutions for donations only provide the financial side of the transaction,’ he said.
‘We are sure that if we optimally support the person donating, that person will give more freely. Giving becomes fun.When I donate, I want to have one solution for all situations – to the guitar-playing busker on the street, to the charity coming to my door. When I donate, I want it to be fully anonymous and still add Gift Aid.’
Givt provides an overview of where donations have gone. For all charities and situations, only one registration is needed. No complicated logins, long lists of possible charities or annoying top-ups.
‘The speed, ease, and joy of giving cash are retained,’ said Sjoerd, ‘so that people can just keep on giving.’
Find out more by visiting Givt
Join our mailing list to make sure you receive a free copy of the CRE At Home 2020 handbook, which will be posted in October
Our next exhibitions
CRE South West 2021 – 17-18 March 2021
Westpoint, Exeter
CRE National 2021 – 12-14 October 2021
Sandown Park, Surrey
Your church and CAVS: it’s the stream team
More people viewed your online church service in lockdown than would normally attend in person – so what do you do in the future?
Creative Audio-Visual Solutions (CAVS) experts are willing to offer church leaders some helpful advice.
According to a poll by Savanta ComRes for Tearfund in April 2020, one in four of the UK population claim to have visited an online service during the COVID-19 pandemic. Service streaming allows those attending the service to enjoy being back in church but also gives others still wary of stepping over the threshold of a church building, or are housebound, a chance to hear the worship and message.
‘Streaming is a vital way for churches to keep communicating to their congregations and wider world,’ said Rob Alvis, a director of CAVS. ‘A simple-to-use, reliable and high-quality online streaming system will allow your church to be ever present when fellowship is more important than ever.’
CAVS can design the ideal system for your church, from a single fixed camera to a multi-camera broadcasting set-up.
‘A camera system can also provide the added benefit, when linked to your installed projector or display system, of showing activities for those with limited view on the “big screen” – such as baptisms and children’s activities,’ said Rob.
Consultations are possible online or on site where social distancing can be maintained.
Find out more by visiting Creative Audio-Visual Solutions
Join our mailing list to make sure you receive a free copy of the CRE At Home 2020 handbook, which will be posted in October
Our next exhibitions
CRE South West 2021 – 17-18 March 2021
Westpoint, Exeter
CRE National 2021 – 12-14 October 2021
Sandown Park, Surrey