From planning pilgrimages to buying ‘coffee with a conscience’ – a huge range of tips and ideas for churches will be on display at an exhibition being opened by the Archbishop of Wales this week (26 March).
Europe’s leading Christian exhibition comes to Wales for the first time on March 26 and the one-day event will be held at the All Nations Centre in Cardiff. Often dubbed the ‘ideal church show’, a Christian Resources Exhibition features everything from ‘biblical’ Easter eggs to clergy clothing, heating solutions to hi-tech lecterns.
More than 60 exhibitors from all over the UK are taking part and there will be eight practical and resourcing seminars. Among the displays will be film clubs, new approaches to Bible studies, health days and fitness sessions, retreat houses, addiction recovery specialists, and expert advice for churches about lighting, multi-media equipment and heating as well as publications and websites
But it’s much more than holy hardware. During the day visitors will have the chance to explore a healing and wholeness zone, sit in on interviews with key speakers over coffee and take part in worship with Cath Woolridge, one of the founders of Sounds of Wales, a collective of Welsh singers.
There will also be a chance to hear a talk by Dai Hankey, the Director for Wales of Acts 29, the church planting network.
The Archbishop said, “I am delighted to welcome the CRE exhibition to Wales for the first time and to open the day. It is fantastic to see the huge range of resources we now have available to us to share our faith and support each others’ ministries in ways which are exciting and inspiring.”
The exhibition is organised by the Bible Society. Bill Allen, event organiser, said, “CRE is about equipping and empowering churches. We’ve run successful shows near London for almost 30 years – and taken the event to many other cities – but never crossed the Severn before. We are delighted to be in Cardiff for the first time and welcome anyone with an interest in the work and mission of their local church.
‘CRE Wales is our first-ever, one-day show. Many of the organisations represented have never before promoted their work in Wales. We are looking forward to a very special day.’
The show takes place at the All Nations Centre, Sachville Ave, Cardiff 12 noon-6pm.
Tickets can be bought in advance. For more information, visit http://www.creonline.co.uk/
