Christian Resources Exhibition took on indigenous flavor

National independence, the Commonwealth Games and a new TV series based on Scripture were just some of the significant issues highlighted at the Christian Resources Exhibition (CRE) Scotland.

Around 1,600 visitors and exhibitors converged on Scotland’s biggest outdoor- indoor venue—the Royal Highland Center, Edinburgh—for the two-day event.

CRE Scotland ran the Nov. 27-28 event as a stand-alone exhibition in Scotland for the first time in six years. It was also its first time under the ownership of Bible Society (England and Wales).

As visitors entered the venue, they were offered free church resources from Damaris Trust to make the most of Mark Burnett and Roma Downey’s The Bible.The epic 10-hour series of scriptural stories started its U.K. screening later that week on Channel 5. 

Many CRE visitors packed out a seminar on “Scotland’s Future.” It was standing room only for the  lunchtime discussion, which examined biblical values in the context of a forthcoming referendum on Scottish independence. Scottish Bible Society Chief Executive Elaine Duncan led a panel of experts from the world of politics, business and the public sector to provide their viewpoint.

With the Commonwealth Games also coming to Scotland next summer, CRE hosted a major zone dedicated to the work of outreach agency More than Gold, supported by the Scottish Bible Society. 

Scotland’s ecumenical movement ACTS (Action of Churches Together in Scotland) also ran a major exhibition space, reflecting the cross-denominational flavor of the event. 

CRE also was strongly indigenous with “quite a few exhibitors who were Scottish-based,” Allen said.

Among them was Cambron Software of East Kilbride, which introduced its product Power Music, through which songs can be accessed instantly by church organists on their iPads—with hands-free page-turning.

Celebrating an “alternative Advent” was another theme at the exhibition. Gifts ranged from Indian spices to Christmas crackers, and from fair trade advent calendars to holy socks. Singing their praises was a puppet choirboy, courtesy of children’s ministry One Way UK.

Most visitors said the event was “exceptional” and “better than expected.” 

Allen was pleased that “all the exhibitors are asking us to come back again.”