Search on for catwalking clergy at Bristol's first-ever 'ideal church show'
The search is on for ministers to 'strut their stuff' at Clergy on the Catwalk, a special presentation of clerical clothing at the upcoming
Christian Resources Exhibition West (UWE, Bristol, 23/24 Jan 2013).
A wide variety of formal and informal ecclesiastical clothing will be displayed by leading designers like Hayes and Finch and Juliet Hemingray who believes women clergy have brought a fresh look to clerical clothing.
'They won't put up with worn-out robes,' says Juliet of
Church Textiles in Derby. 'This has rubbed off on male clergy.'
Each participant will be given £50 as a thank you.
'No modelling experience is required. All denominations, shapes, ages - and both genders - considered!' explains CRE event organiser Bill Allen.
Open to the general public, CRE West, dubbed the 'ideal church show', comes to Bristol for the first time in its history. It will feature more than 170 charities, missions and church suppliers displaying everything from heating systems to evangelistic puppets, lighting to pilgrimages, candles to computers. Demand for space at the event has encouraged organisers to increase the size of the show floor.
A series of carefully-targeted seminars, given by both regional and national experts, will cover issues of vital concern to some 3000 local church leaders and members, from bishops to parish magazine editors, youth leaders to treasurers.
The Bishop of Bristol, Rt Rev Mike Hill (pictured right), said: 'I have been going to CRE for more than 20 years and am delighted we have our own exhibition in the west.
'CRE not only provides church leaders, workers and volunteers with all there is out there to resource mission, it opens them up to new possibilities. This is an opportunity not to be missed.'
Paul Trott, head of marketing for CRE's parent company,
Bible Society, said: 'The response from exhibitors, including many new ones from the area, has been terrific.
'Whether they are displaying photo-copiers or communion wine, retreat centres or sound systems, our exhibitors are discovering vital new contacts, many of whom have never before been to a CRE. Providing innovative resources for churches of all traditions is what the show is all about.'