New ideas for churches

Defibrillators in churches

Many churches are installing automated external defibrillators (AED) as their central location means they are often readily accessible.

A cardiac arrest can happen to anyone, anywhere, at any time. A person's chance of survival falls by about 10%* for each minute that passes without defibrillation.

Locating AEDs on a boundary wall means they can be accessed when the church is open or closed. Training on all types of AED and CPR resuscitation is availble from organisations including  St John's Ambulance.  AEDs give voice commands as soon as the lid is opened so that people with no training can use them.

Sustainable churches

Churches can now work with community and commercial bodies to ensure a Christian presence remains in the community and the building is open, sustainable and relevant to those it serves.

St Michael and All Angels is a Grade II* Norman church in Herefordshire. In 2008 it was closed for worship as the roof had become unsafe.  Grants were secured to make teh building safe and it is now working to install a bakery that supplies local companies. The church will be open for regular worship and quiet contemplative, flexible community space with the advantage of an income stream to sustain and support both building and mission.

See: http://www.rra-arch.com/portfolio/daily-bread-hereford

Card Readers from Parish Buying

Following the national trial of contactless card readers which was undertaken last year, the Parish Buying service has developed contracts with two companies: SumUp and iZettle;  parishes within the Church of England and the Church in Wales are now able to buy card readers at a discount through the Parish Buying website and use them with specially negotiated low transaction rates. The rationale behind the card reader scheme is:

As many people no longer carry cash it’s becoming increasingly important to provide other ways for people to give. One solution is getting a card reader for your church, which works alongside a smart phone or tablet.

Whether it’s using the Chip and PIN function or the tap of a contactless card, a card reader enables a modern way for people to pay for:  wedding fees; church hall hire; concert tickets; donations; church weekends away; and ‘even teas and coffees.

Information about the equipment needed and the fees involved is included in the FAQs produced by Parish Resources, which also includes some helpful hints.

Tree Surveys

Conservation Foundation are making a map of mature elm trees. If you know of a Great British Elm and want to include it on the map, click here for more detail.

Log your ancient churchyard yew trees here and add images of them to the yew tree section of Explore Churches here