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)
Our next exhibitions
CRE South West 2022
23-24 February 2022
Westpoint, Exeter
CRE National 2021
12-14 October 2021
Sandown Park, Surrey
CRE News
Your new 60-page products and services guide. Nothing beats reading it!
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)
Our next exhibitions
CRE South West 2022
23-24 February 2022
Westpoint, Exeter
CRE National 2021
12-14 October 2021
Sandown Park, Surrey
CRE News
Your new 60-page products and services guide. Nothing beats reading it!
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
Our next exhibitions
CRE South West 2022
23-24 February 2022
Westpoint, Exeter
CRE National 2021
12-14 October 2021
Sandown Park, Surrey
CRE News
Your new 60-page products and services guide. Nothing beats reading it!
‘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)
Our next exhibitions
CRE South West 2022
23-24 February 2022
Westpoint, Exeter
CRE National 2021
12-14 October 2021
Sandown Park, Surrey
CRE News
Your new 60-page products and services guide. Nothing beats reading it!
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
Our next exhibitions
CRE South West 2022
23-24 February 2022
Westpoint, Exeter
CRE National 2021
12-14 October 2021
Sandown Park, Surrey
CRE News
Your new 60-page products and services guide. Nothing beats reading it!
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 130th 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)
Our next exhibitions
CRE South West 2022
23-24 February 2022
Westpoint, Exeter
CRE National 2021
12-14 October 2021
Sandown Park, Surrey
CRE News
Your new 60-page products and services guide. Nothing beats reading it!
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.
Our next exhibitions
CRE South West 2022
23-24 February 2022
Westpoint, Exeter
CRE National 2021
12-14 October 2021
Sandown Park, Surrey
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
Our next exhibitions
CRE South West 2022
23-24 February 2022
Westpoint, Exeter
CRE National 2021
12-14 October 2021
Sandown Park, Surrey
In the darkest of years, the gift of light
In this darkest of years, a new film can be used by churches and individuals to reflect the wonderful news that God sent light into the world (John 1.9).
Produced by Stew Smith, CPO’s new chief creative officer, Share The Light is a Christmas present to us all from the organisation.
‘When Stew joined us in August, he was asked to address the question “What will Christmas 2020 be like?”’ said Alan Hare, CPO’s chief executive officer. ‘Three months later we have his answer! We are delighted to invite you to join in our Share The Light campaign.’
The film shows Christians spreading light and bringing hope and love into our world. They do that in many ways – with friends and family, at work and in their communities.
‘The film has had an extremely positive reaction,’ said Alan. ‘The CEO of one well-respected Christian charity described it as “absolutely stunning. It grabs your heart and is a work of art… executed to perfection.”’
Churches and individuals can also personalise the campaign by using a QR activation code that links to the film and to up to two different weblinks or to a page with a specific message.
‘Some churches have already used this to link to their home page and/or their live stream page,’ said Alan. ‘Alternatively, it can link to a page with a Christmas message for everyone who has that QR code.’
A range of social media clips can also be used to share the campaign more broadly and swiftly.
To see the film click here
Our next exhibitions
CRE South West 2022
23-24 February 2022
Westpoint, Exeter
CRE National 2021
12-14 October 2021
Sandown Park, Surrey
No Zoom at the inn? New resources for a creative Christmas
One organisation is determined to make it a cracking Christmas in spite of the limitations brought on by Covid-19.
Faith in Kids supports churches and parents so that children can engage with Jesus Christ and respond to him, having their hearts and minds captured by Christ’s words.
And this year they have created some unique resources to make that happen, including:
- Bake-along-a-Christmas: real-time baking online with an all-age Christmas talk
- Walk about Nativity: an immersive walking tour through scenes of the Nativity
- Zoom Nativity: a virtual scratch nativity play
- Car park carols: a drive-in, all-age carol service in a car park
- Christmas came to me: a local outdoor community carol sing-along on your street
‘Let’s step out of our church buildings and celebrate the birth of Christ in ways we would never have considered before!’ said Ed Drew, director of Faith in Kids.
‘Too often churches are losing the hearts and minds of our children. Too many of the children who attend church grow up knowing Bible facts and a long list of Christian behaviours but without a love for Jesus Christ. Faith in Kids wants to see more children engaging with and responding to God personally. Children who are having their hearts and minds informed by Christ’s words, by God’s grace, will grow into teenagers who want to live for him.’
Click here for more information
Our next exhibitions
CRE South West 2022
23-24 February 2022
Westpoint, Exeter
CRE National 2021
12-14 October 2021
Sandown Park, Surrey