Introducing Mr and Mrs Looyah (and their son Hal)
A team of award-winning programme makers and business executives have come together to launch a new discipleship resource called Little Worship Company.
Their range of products will help children and grown-ups discover God together, through easy to use DVDs, devotionals and a digital App called ‘The Little Worship Company World’. Aimed at 0 to 6-year-olds, the interactive resources are based on a curriculum suitable for churches and schools.
‘Each DVD is hosted by Hal and his parents Mr and Mrs Looyah!’ explains Jo Sunderland of Wonderborn Studios, makers of the series. ‘The Looyahs take children through a journey of worship and scripture, helping them explore God and their identity in him, grounded in biblical truths.’
Grown-ups are invited to make use of an all-age devotional, with activities and crafts for adults and children, helping them both grow in faith together. The App also offers prayers and songs.
Led by Toby Hughes, a former technology and media entrepreneur, the Wonderborn team is made up of an advisory panel, expert consultants and in-house development, production, digital and marketing teams.
• Little Worship Company will be on stand C32 at CRE North
> Who’s exhibiting at CRE North 2019?
> Who’s exhibiting at CRE Sandown Park 2019?
Bolton beware! Rev Hilary’s on the round up
A Methodist minister wants to take dozens of church members to CRE North – to celebrate her first five years in office.
Rev Hilary Howarth (pictured) of the Triangle Community Methodist Church, Bolton, visited the last CRE at Event City five years ago.
‘It was so brilliant I know it can make a lot of difference to church life,’ she said. ‘Our departmental leaders and helpers will get fresh ideas. We are working on our vision for the next five years and the resources on show at CRE will be a real inspiration.’
A local preacher for many years, Hilary became a minister in 2002 and served in Chorley and Northwick and Winsford circuits before returning to her roots in Bolton to lead The Triangle Community – three fellowships that came together to form a new church.
When CRE opens on March 13, Hilary wants to be there with at least 50 people – ‘so we can share together as a group and get even more out of it.’ The first day of the exhibition appeals to her because it will be open until 8pm – giving some people time to attend for a few hours after finishing work.
‘I’m passionate about growing healthy churches where Christ is central to our faith,’ she said, ‘and our love for him is expressed in relationships we share not only with those in the church family but within our communities and wider world.’
As a supporter of Bolton Wanderers FC, she may also spend a little time visiting Christians in Sport, Ambassadors Football, Sports Chaplaincy UK and the C of E Ministry of Sport.
> Who’s exhibiting at CRE North 2019?
> Who’s exhibiting at CRE Sandown Park 2019?
Global mission update at CRE North 2019
Children’s charity World Vision are inviting church leaders to a special lunch presentation on the first day of CRE North (Wed 13 Mar).
Attendees will hear how two thirds of British adults fail to see the positive difference the Church is making globally or locally, according to the UK Church in Action report commissioned by World Vision UK in partnership with insight specialists Barna Global.
While 52 per cent of all Christians interviewed agree the Church has a positive impact in their communities, less than half (or 49 per cent) believe this is happening on a global scale. The study also found that 81 per cent of non-Christians don’t believe or don’t know how the Church is making any difference whatsoever to society.
‘Along with Barna Global, we are inviting church leaders to come and hear the latest research which gets to the heart of what social justice and mission mean today to church leaders and Christians,’ said Justin Bloomfield, the charity’s church relationships manager. ‘The report will enable attendees to better understand World Vision’s distinct calling to support churches in global mission. We hope to be able to help them improve strategies and partnerships. It is also a fantastic opportunity to meet with other local church leaders from the region with shared interests.’
A complimentary lunch and refreshments will be served and attendees will also receive free entry to CRE North. Spaces are limited so if you are a Christian leader email Justin Bloomfield or call Ally Wenham on 01908 244590 by Friday 1st March.
• World Vision are on stand A16 at CRE North 2019 and stand S41 at CRE 2019
> Who’s exhibiting at CRE North 2019?
> Who’s exhibiting at CRE Sandown Park 2019?
Photo ©2017 Jiro Ose/World Vision. Distribution at Imvepi refugee settlement, Uganda
Your goal – using sport to reach your neighbourhood
Let’s get out of our church buildings and join in with our local communities through sport.
That’s the challenge issued by Rev Tim Hastie-Smith, national director of Scripture Union England and Wales. If we do, maintains Tim, we will be able to ‘offer hope, build meaningful relationships and share God’s good news.’
Tim was commenting on Mission through Sport, in which SU supports churches as they go into local parks and MUGA’s (Multi-Use Games Areas) to run weekly detached sports projects, as well as non-residential and residential sports camps. Training, resources and ‘how to’ guides have all been produced to best support churches in running exciting, simple yet safe sports activities. SU are at CRE North to show churches how it all works.
Several other exhibitors, including Christians In Sport, Sports Chaplaincy UK and the C of E Ministry of Sport, will show us how to make the most of other opportunities – previewing National Sports Sunday (19th May 2019).
• Christians in Sport (Sports Ministries UK) are on stand A36 at CRE North
> Who’s exhibiting at CRE North 2019?
> Who’s exhibiting at CRE Sandown Park 2019?
ByCRE
Technology at CRE
Whether you require a sound system, video projection, lighting, staging or set design, CRE exhibitors provide all the advice you need.
Installing new AV equipment into old buildings can present a whole raft of challenges. B+H Sound is one of a number of companies with many years’ experience managing and delivering installation projects in every type of building from brand-new construction projects to those that are 12th Century Grade 1 listed.
‘It’s important to understand the unique architectural sensitivities of historic venues,’ explains B+H’s Brian Hillson.‘Our design team work alongside and advise churches on developing uncompromised technical solutions that meet the stringent requirements of approval processes such as Church of England faculty or DAC permissions.’
Fellow exhibitor DM Music have put installations into more than 3000 churches – from simple, easy-to-use speech systems to sophisticated multi-channel digital audio and visual set ups.
Meanwhile Hymn Technology offer their portable electronic hymn player under the proposition ‘No organist? No problem!’ Little or no musical or technical skill is required to operate it with some 3000 hymns available at the touch of remote-controlled button. The original Hymnal Plus came on to the market in the autumn of 2005 and was an instant success, with major coverage in virtually all the main UK national newspapers as well as widespread media coverage around the world. Now replaced by the HT-400, the product is sold through a small network of specialised dealers covering all parts of the UK.
ByCRE
Social engagement at CRE
Social engagement is growing theme at CRE with a number of exhibitors specialising in reaching out to marginalised people.
Street Pastors are a good example, with trained volunteers from local churches who patrol town and city centres on weekend nights listening, caring and helping. All work in collaboration with police, local councils and other statutory and voluntary agencies, and have been recognised as making a significant contribution to ensuring the welfare of those enjoying the ‘night-time’ economy.
Meanwhile, Green Pastures buy property for churches and Christian charities so they can house homeless people in their area. The charity provides all the paperwork, expertise and ongoing support to operate a successful supported housing project. Through their network of more than 55 partners (churches and Christian charities), they house and care for more than 930 people in the UK.
A visit to CRE is vital if you and your church want to find out how to learn from and join forces with key ministries such as these.
Main photo: Hannah Beatrice
Photo of homeless man by Matt Collamer on Unsplash
ByCRE
Finance at CRE
Don’t let limited budgets dampen those dreams! CRE is the best place to seek professional advice on all church-based financial matters.
A vital area of concern is VAT and key questions include:
• Do I really have to pay that much VAT?
• Can I reduce it within the law while maintaining integrity?
• With such complicated rules, how can I be sure that I won’t have to pay more VAT at a later date?
Les Howard of vatadvice.org says: ‘The rules concerning the purchase, construction or development of land and property are complex,’ explained Les, who has more than 25 years’ experience in VAT, including a spell working for H M Revenue & Customs. ‘Professional advice should always be sought and as early as possible. It may be that the VAT consequences of a proposed project will have a significant effect on its viability.’
In today’s litigious world, churches also face risks far beyond property damage. Russell Hickman, church specialist at Access Insurance, said: ‘They should regularly consider the situation and be comfortable that they have sufficient insurance and risk management arrangements in place.’
ByCRE
Clothing at CRE
Vestments have been an important part of worship for millennia and with more and more women now entering ordained ministry, designers are giving them a 21st century make-over, retaining the ceremony and solemnity of any church occasion while introducing fresh designs in dynamic colours.
CRE boasts a number of award-winning artists who specialise in garments for every occasion, bringing colour and beauty to creative worship in parish churches and great cathedrals, in chapels and mission halls throughout the land.
Most designers also supply a range of everyday wear for clergy of both genders. When women were first ordained into the Anglican church, they demanded more style in the kind of clothes they could wear around the parish. Male clergy have followed suit and clerical shirts now come in a much wider selection of fabrics.
At CRE, you have the opportunity to see what is on offer – and try it on for size and style!
No room at the inn – and Event City
Sold out signs went up just before Christmas with more than 130 organisations taking all the original space earmarked for CRE North (Event City, Manchester, 13/14 Mar 2019).
The first exhibition in the north for five years will be opened by Irish singer and former MEP Dana. A choir from St Leonard’s C of E school in Padiham, Lancashire will serenade the former Eurovision Song Contest winner with ‘All Kinds of Everything – for your church and you.’
The Bishop of Bolton, Rev Mark Ashcroft, will speak on church growth in areas of deprivation. In a world dominated by Brexit, Andy Flannagan from Christians in Politics will lead a discussion on how churches can help bridge the divide and bring people together again.
There will also be more than 20 free seminars on a range of practical subjects from job searching to safeguarding.
Special features include CRE’s first-ever Study Zone where representatives from eight colleges will guide visitors through the academic maze, offering one-to-one consultations on all aspects of theological study. There’s the Compassion Experience, a walk-through African slum and the biggest exhibit in our 33-year history (bar the odd inflatable church!) Not forgetting a special focus on social engagement and sports projects, a youth and children’s work trail – and entertainment in our first-ever Inflatable Theatre, hosted by the redoubtable Rev Cindy Kent MBE.
‘Entry to the show is just £4 if you book in advance here,’ explains CRE event director Brett Pitchfork. ‘That’s a saving of 50 per cent on the day-of-entry cost of £8. Groups of three or more can pre-register for just £3 each.’
And there’s good news for organisations who still want to take space.
‘Through subtle manipulation of the floor plan, we’ve been able to squeeze another eight stands into an already packed hall,’ said Brett. ‘So do call Carol (0161) 250 2467 or James (0161) 250 2306 soon, if you have not yet booked a stand for your organisation at CRE North.
‘We look forward to welcoming everyone to Event City, whether they travel by car, train – or donkey.’
How your church can leave CRE app happy
A new version of Church Edit’s church mobile app is released at CRE 2018 – and to celebrate the company is running a special competition at the exhibition.
iKnow church is a cloud-based church management software that helps churches simplify administration, as well as assist with pastoral care.
‘The app is intuitive and ensures churches are supported in all of their organisation, administration and communication,’ explains Church Edit’s Kyle Cottington. ‘To add more benefit, using the latest mobile technology, we’ve built our new mobile app from the ground up. It is a great way to engage your congregation and keep them in the information loop.
‘We’re giving one church the opportunity to improve their systems free of charge and secure a fantastic mobile app. But no one misses out, because there is also a special CRE offer – one year free on iKnow Church and the mobile app (22 months for the price of 10) as well as 50 per cent off the design cost of the mobile app.’
How to enter
Visit the Church Edit and iKnow church stand S94 at CRE, and enter the competition by simply leaving your details. The winner will be drawn on 26th Oct.
Click here for a list of more than 200 exhibitors at CRE 2018
Click the button below to pre-register for CRE 2018 for as little as £3