News
SEMINARS BLEND LOCAL AND NATIONAL ISSUES
03 July 2008
A PACKED seminar schedule, covering key regional and national concerns, is one highlight of the forthcoming Northern Christian Resources Exhibition (25-27 Sep, 2008, Yorkshire Event Centre, Harrogate).
From multi-media worship to helping people in debt, more than 30 seminars will be held over three days – under the title ‘Your Church’.
‘The event plays a vital role in equipping and empowering local churches,’ explains event director Steve Briars. ‘We have chosen a range of speakers of real calibre reflecting important regional concerns. We’ve blended these with national experts on relevant and topical subjects.’
Rev Shelagh Jones, chaplain of the Young Offenders’ Institute in Wetherby, will explain how churches can successfully incorporate ex-offenders into their fellowships. Jeremy Clough will speak about the Harrogate Street Pastors project. Former convict Graham Seed, from Middlesborough, will talk about ministry in prisons.
A strong performing arts line up includes Saltmine Theatre Company, professional story-teller Natalie Garrett and Christian stand-up comics Paul Kerensa and Tony Vino from the Isaac Project. Nicki Rogers and Steve Parsons, two rising stars in the UK Christian music world, will also be in Harrogate.
Saturday workshops will help churches focus on children’s work, youth groups, worship, music and drama.
Up to 150 organisations are expected to exhibit at Northern CRE, from vestment suppliers to publishers, children’s charities to retreat centres.
‘The opportunity to meet face-to-face with a wide range of relevant suppliers, charities and mission organisations makes CRE a vital event in the church calendar,’ explains Steve Briars. ‘We can only come to the north every two years, so we encourage churches to make best use of the event while it’s here.’
More than 4000 people, representing most mainstream Christian denominations, are expected to attend Northern CRE, the majority with some form of leadership responsibility in their local churches.
