Welcome. Don t get caught short with copyright. Keeping you informed...

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1 May 2015 churchlife Keeping you informed... What s in this issue? A look back through the lens Page 2 / Supporting church initiatives in the community Page 4 Charitable Trust Page 5 / Allergen labelling Page 6 / Decline in metal theft Page 6 Foodbanks are on the rise Page 7 / Hiring out your premises Page 7 / Claim survey Page 8 Trustees and officers indemnity Page 8 / New church underwriter Page 8 Welcome Don t get caught short with copyright to the latest edition of Church Life, designed to keep you in touch with Congregational & General Insurance, as well as keeping you up to date with some important issues affecting you and your church. This edition is also available to view online by visiting churchlifeonline additional paper copies are available on request. We hope you enjoy reading Church Life and we welcome your feedback, if you have any comments or suggestions for future editions please marketing@cgins.co.uk Don t forget, you can stay connected with us and receive all of the latest Congregational & General updates via Twitter Facebook The growth of the internet, social media and mobile technology has vastly increased the number of ways in which we communicate, not only with family and friends but also with work colleagues and church members. Many churches use newsletters whether printed or digital as well as websites to circulate information, news and updates. When publishing any material in these publications, consideration should always be given to the origin and ownership of the items featured and whether copyright may exist. Copyright refers to the exclusive rights given to a creator to publish, print, perform or copy their original work. Copyrighted items can include poems, prose extracts and song or hymn lyrics. Items may be published only where the owners allow free use of their items (copyright free); or where the copyright owner of the original work died over 70 years ago (public domain). If you wish to publish something that s protected by copyright, you must seek written (or ed) permission from the copyright holder before it appears in your newsletter or website, failure to obtain this could result in legal action being taken against the church. If you do unintentionally print a copyrighted item our Church Choice policy includes publishers indemnity cover under the liability section for damages, costs and expenses for libel, slander or infringement of trademark, arising from any materials published in your church magazine or other official publications. Church Choice provides cover for up to 100,000 for any one period of cover. In addition to publishing items, it is important to be aware that there are copyright implications for reproducing and/or projecting copyright protected hymns and worship songs in church meetings. Churches should have a church copyright licence to reproduce such items. If you are concerned about any aspect of copyright law or what licences your church should obtain, further information can be found on the Christian Copyright Licensing International (CCLI) website There are a range of licences, resources and support to help churches utilise multimedia in their day to day activities.

2 A look back through the lens A joyous image, capturing a faith exercise by Christian and Muslim teenagers scooped the winner s prize at our Faith Through a Lens photography awards held at BBC Old Broadcasting House last November. Merryn Fawssett s photograph Circle of Faith was named as the overall winner. Faith Through a Lens aims to highlight and support the positive role faith plays in everyday life through the medium of photography. The competition, now entering it s sixth year, is funded through the Congregational & General Charitable Trust. The images were judged on a variety of criteria including visual impact, composition, emotional connection as well as technical aspects of the image. The winner, Circle of Faith by Merryn Fawssett, was praised by the judging panel as an inspiring photograph portraying faith in action, giving a genuine feeling of love, joy and excitement. The two joint highly commended entries Morning Collection by Christine Willis was acclaimed for its beautiful colours and framing and Bible on the Beach by Sian Davies for its composition. The 2014 finalists and winning images can be viewed on the Faith Through a Lens website: Winner Merryn Fawssett received a personal prize package valued at 1,000, including state-of-the-art camera equipment; Rachel Bridgen Photography tuition; Albelli and Huggler photo books; as well as a Serif software package. Each highly commended winner also received a personal prize package valued at 850. In addition to their personal prize packages, the three winners each nominated a faith, charity or community group to receive 1,000 of audio-visual or photography equipment of their choice. Stuart Young, Trustee for Congregational & General Charitable Trust, said: Faith in the UK today is diverse and inclusive. The entries we received demonstrated how photography really is an accessible and effective way of encouraging people from all backgrounds and beliefs to engage with the subject. We ve been thrilled by the quality of entries this year and we re very pleased to honour our three winners. Winners nominated charities Overall winner, Merryn Fawssett chose to donate her charity prize to The Feast, a charity group based in Birmingham which works to promote community cohesion between Christian and Muslim young people. Highly commended prize winner Christine Willis donated her charity prize to the Church of the Epiphany, in Droylsden. The highly commended prize winner Sian Davies nominated Integrate Bristol, to receive her charity prize. This charity helps with the integration of young people and children from other countries and cultures. The judging panel The 2014 judging panel was led by renowned photographer and photojournalist Don McCullin CBE. Also returning as a judge was Paresh Solanki representing Inter Faith Network and Revd. Dr David Cornick, General Secretary of Churches Together in England. In 2014 we were pleased to welcome photojournalist Hazel Thompson and Stuart Young, Trustee for Congregational & General Charitable Trust, to the panel. Merryn Fawssett s photograph Circle of Faith was named as the overall winner. Don McCullin CBE Revd. Dr David Cornick Stuart Young Paresh Solanki Hazel Thompson 2015 competition Faith Through a Lens 2015 will be open for entries from 15 May to 12 October. If you or any church members are keen amateur photographers, please consider this year s competition. It s free to enter and there are some great prizes on offer. You can enter the competition from 15 May 2015 on the Faith Through a Lens website: Hazel Thompson, Aaqil Ahmed, Merryn Fawssett 2 and Don McCullin Don McCullin and highly commended winner Christine Willis with her image Morning Collection Don McCullin and highly commended winner Sian Davies with her image Bible on the Beach 3

3 Supporting church initiatives in the community Charitable Trust UPDATE At Congregational we are committed to supporting the work undertaken by individual churches to establish and maintain projects within their local community. These schemes really do make a difference and we acknowledged the efforts of volunteers, church-workers and employees through our awards programmes in Congregational Federation Faith in Action award winners can be found on our website at: The United Reformed Church Community Project awards can be found on our website at: Faith in Action Award Winners Community Project Award Winners NCC Foodbank Narborough Congregational Church, Leicester The foodbank launched in October 2013 to provide emergency help and support for isolated members of the community. The scheme, which relies solely on donations, was set up in response to reports that some members of the local community, were in danger of going hungry. With support from local agencies, volunteers came together to create food hampers. These are delivered to people unable to leave their homes to collect supplies due to family circumstances, financial or travel difficulties. Hope on Wednesday Hope Community Church, Bristol People recovering from substance abuse and mental health problems are offered support and help. This inclusive scheme welcomes people from all walks of life who are committed to recovery and remain abstinent from drugs and alcohol. By developing personal relationships with each member, volunteers work, in a non-judgemental way, to help rebuild trust and offer support to those in need. Other activities such as gardening, DIY and cooking lessons are also made available. The Hub@Ide Ide Congregational Church, Exeter With a membership of 8 people this church is able to offer a full programme of multigenerational activities to support the local community. The Hub was launched to encourage the surrounding community to engage with the church and has continued to grow since its humble beginnings as a monthly coffee morning in This has extended to now include the drop and shop, a craft morning for young children, as well as photography classes, pizza lunches and film afternoons. Glenorchy Work Club Glenorchy United Reformed Church, Exmouth The Work Club aims to support and build the confidence of unemployed people within the Exmouth area. This covers every aspect of their job search, including help preparing their CV s, basic computer training, as well as advertising local job vacancies. To date, more than 120 people have gained work, thanks to the support and dedication of the project volunteers. Chapelfield Grow Your Own Stand United Reformed Church, Manchester Launched in April 2013, this scheme uses church land, local residents gardens and other unused spaces provided by a local housing association, to grow organic fruit and vegetables. It has brought different elements of the community together with a common goal and a shared interest in improving the environment. This scheme not only provides free food to its residents, it is making a positive impact on its community. Hope Restored Gloddaeth United Church, Llandudno Operating twice a week, the project provides much needed nourishment. Hot drinks and snacks are offered from 10am, followed by a two-course home cooked lunch. Working with local agencies and charities to help those individuals suffering from alcohol and substance misuse or mental health problems. Hope Restored also helps its clients find accommodation through local landlords and the local authority housing department. Messy Church SEND Adeyfield Free Church, Hemel Hempstead Messy Church SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) provides families with a space where the needs of disabled children are fully understood and prioritised. Those who attend have children with a wide range of disabilities including Cerebral Palsy, Downs Syndrome, learning disabilities and on the Autistic spectrum. The Congregational and General Charitable Trust was established to support churches, in particular those of the United Reformed and Congregational denominations. The Trust receives annual gift payments from Congregational & General Insurance plc and regularly disburses grants on application to churches and other charitable causes. A wide range of assistance is offered to churches ranging from help with the provision of disabled access, to contributions toward major refurbishments. Grants recently awarded: Walkern & Sandon United Reformed Church, is located within a conservation area and dedicated for worship in This Grade II listed building required major repairs to the 200 year old timber framed church. The renovation work had to be carried out to heritage standards, retaining as much of the original fabric as possible. This included demolition of the vestry and construction of an extension to house a kitchen and toilet facilities enabling the church to be available for wider community use. Church Secretary Olga Ginn commented we are extremely grateful for the grant funding of 5,000 which allowed us to complete the refurbishment work. Christchurch, Ilkley, launched a massive fundraising effort to generate over 230,000 for Dan s Den. This permanent indoor soft play facility housed in Riddings Hall at Christchurch received 10,000 towards the work which commenced in February and will be completed in June this year. Christine Henney the Project Manager thanked the Trustees and commented Dan s Den will offer all children and their families within the local community, regardless of faith or personal circumstance, a fun, clean, safe and stimulating environment in which to play and develop. In 2014: 49 grants 180,000+ St Mary & St Abu Saifain Coptic Orthodox Church, Risca, Caerphilly, is a large Grade II listed building dating back to 1830, with a relatively small congregation made up of some 25 families. The roof of the church and its adjacent hall were deteriorating resulting in constant leaks causing severe damage to the interior of the buildings. A grant of 10,000 was awarded towards the costs for the roof replacements. Dr Magdi Shafik, Church Treasurer commented this contribution allowed us to replace the roof with high grade Canadian slates using a well-established local roofing firm. Families are encouraged to relax and share experiences with others whilst the volunteers engage with each individual s preferred learning style through the use of appropriate multisensory activities, materials and resources. Applications for grants are considered and awarded on merit, for more information about how to apply please visit 4 5

4 Allergen labelling Foodbanks are on the rise New food information regulation came into effect on the 13 December 2014, this will affect community or charity food operations, such as cafes or community lunch clubs that are required to be registered as food businesses. Information must now be provided to consumers about fourteen main allergens, which are used as ingredients in food and drink. The growth of foodbanks across the UK has been widely reported; in the last year alone over 900,000 people were provided with emergency food and support through a foodbank. Churches serving food should check with their local authority to establish if they are required to be registered. Foods served during coffee mornings and voluntary outreach events or Holy Communion services, would not normally be classified as food businesses. However, in such cases, it would be good practice to provide allergenic ingredient information for the foods served to enable those with food allergies to make an informed choice. There are 14 major allergens which need to be mentioned (either on a label or through provided information such as menus) when they are used as ingredients in a food. Here are the allergens, and some examples of where they can be found. 1. Celery 11. Peanuts 6. Lupin This includes celery stalks, leaves, seeds and the root called celeriac. You can find celery in celery salt, salads, some meat products, soups and stock cubes. 2. Cereals containing gluten Wheat (such as spelt and Khorasan wheat/kamut), rye, barley and oats are often found in foods containing flour, such as some types of baking powder, batter, breadcrumbs, bread, cakes, couscous, meat products, pasta, pastry, sauces, soups and fried foods which are dusted with flour. 3. Crustaceans Crabs, lobster, prawns and scampi are crustaceans. Shrimp paste often used in Thai and south-east Asian curries or salads, is an ingredient to look out for. 4. Eggs Eggs are often found in cakes, some meat products, mayonnaise, mousses, pasta, quiche, sauces and pastries or foods brushed or glazed with egg. 5. Fish You will find this in some fish sauces, pizzas, relishes, salad dressings, stock cubes and Worcestershire sauce. Yes, lupin is a flower, but it s also found in flour! Lupin flour and seeds can be used in some types or bread, pastries and even in pasta. 7. Milk Milk is a common ingredient in butter, cheese, cream, milk powders and yoghurt. It can also be found in foods brushed or glazed with milk, and in powdered soups and sauces. 8. Molluscs These include mussels, land snails, squid and whelks, but can also be commonly found in oyster sauce or as an ingredient in fish stews. 9. Mustard Liquid mustard, mustard powder and mustard seeds fall into this category. This ingredient can also be found in breads, curries, marinades, meat products, salad dressings, sauces and soups. 10. Nuts Not to be mistaken with peanuts (which are a legume and grow underground), this ingredient refers to nuts which grow on trees, like cashew nuts, almonds and hazelnuts. You can find nuts in breads, biscuits, crackers, desserts, nut powders (often used in Asian curries), stir-fried dishes, ice-cream, marzipan (almond paste), nut oils and sauces. Peanuts are actually a legume and grow underground, which is why it s sometimes called a groundnut. Peanuts are often used as an ingredient in biscuits, cakes, curries, desserts, sauces (such as satay sauce), as well as in groundnut oil and peanut flour. 12. Sesame seeds These seeds can be found in bread (sprinkled on hamburger buns for example), breadsticks, houmous, sesame oil and tahini. They are sometimes toasted and used in salads. 13. Soya Often found in bean curd, edamame beans, miso paste, textured soya protein, soya flour or tofu, soya is a staple ingredient in oriental food. It can also be found in desserts, ice-cream, meat products, sauces and vegetarian products. 14. Sulphur dioxide (sometimes known as sulphites) This is an ingredient often used in dried fruit such as raisins, dried apricots and prunes. You might also find it in meat products, soft drinks, vegetables as well as in wine and beer. If you have asthma, you have a higher risk of developing a reaction to sulphur dioxide. More information on the Food Information Regulations 2014 can be found on the safer places of worship website or by visiting the Food Standards Agency Decline in metal theft Over the past few years there has been a steady decline in the number of metal theft incidents across England and Wales. In 2014 there was a decrease of around a third compared to the previous year, with metal theft only accounting for 2% of all theft offences. This decline has been accredited to police and government initiatives to tackle the problem. A national metal theft task force was established in November 2011 which has implemented a number of strategies including Operation Tornado which requires scrap metal dealers to check the identity of individuals selling metal. Other legislative initiatives have included the banning of cash payments and all scrap metal dealers must now hold a licence. Whilst these measures have seen a significant decrease in the number of metal theft crimes, it is still important that churches continue to be vigilant and take preventative measures to protect their property. 6 Please visit the metal theft page on our safer places of worship website This provides advice and practical suggestions on what you can do to minimise the risk of metal theft. General tips and guidance is offered, such as the use of anti-theft paint, enhanced lighting and defensive planting of thorny bushes. Leaflets and information can be downloaded which will help you and your community remain vigilant. Churches of all denominations have been leading the way and we have seen many of our policyholders setting up and successfully running foodbanks either independently or via The Trussell Trust* foodbank network. Referrals from frontline care professionals such as doctors or social workers include low income families hit by crises such as redundancy or reduced working hours. Others are victims of domestic violence, people experiencing benefit delay, as well as those facing debt problems or hit by illness. A three day supply of nutritionally-balanced non-perishable food is usually provided to help those in need. In addition to this many foodbanks support clients by providing information to help access organisations that may resolve their underlying problems. We also suggest that you fully consider any risks involved and undertake health and safety risk assessments before opening. Additional information on risk assessments and foodbanks can be found on our safer places of worship website *The Trussell Trust is a charity organisation that runs a network of foodbanks across the UK. It offers training and support for any foodbank initiative. For more information visit Thinking of setting up a foodbank? Congregational are able to support church policyholders wishing to establish their own foodbank. Cover can be provided under your church choice policy. We recommend that you contact the church underwriting department on or your insurance intermediary prior to making any formal arrangements to ensure cover is applicable and whether any restrictions would apply. Hiring out your premises It is not uncommon for church buildings and land to be utilised by organisations that are not associated or connected with the church. Part of the premises may be leased or rented to another organisation or community group such as a keep-fit class or mother and toddler group. Prior to any premises being used by external organisations, it is essential that an agreement is reached that the site is suitable for the proposed use. For example, if part of the premises is leased to a third party for additional parking, appropriate rights of way must be described and both parties must agree that the condition of the paving and parking area is suitable and acceptable. If the premises are to be used by a mother and toddler group, which is not associated with the church, again the condition of the flooring, furniture and other equipment must be agreed by both organisations as suitable for the purpose. Appropriate hire agreements must be in place with each organisation this includes infrequent or a one-off user. Any organisation using the premises, except those connected to the church, must provide a copy of their own liability insurance and this should be retained for church records. Health and safety is of paramount importance and churches should consider their own policies and risk assessments alongside those of the hirers, to ensure they are extensive enough for the activities that are to be undertaken. Larger or national organisations are likely to have their own policies however smaller groups or individuals hiring the premises may rely on the church to provide guidance. For more information on health and safety policies and risk assessments please visit our safer places of worship website 7

5 Claim survey We would like to thank all policyholders who completed our insurance claim survey. As part of our commitment to customer excellence, we send all Congregational claimants a questionnaire to help us monitor how customers view the service they receive. The survey provides us with a continuous measure of all aspects of the claims journey from initial notification through to settlement. All responses and comments are appreciated and beneficial as they provide us with an invaluable insight into how we may improve our service. The recent results from the latest survey (February 2015) show we are doing a pretty good job: 91% 9/10 100% would recommend Congregational to others respondents rated the overall claim service as excellent or good of respondents felt they were treated fairly 3 Trustees and officers indemnity Becoming a trustee of a church is an important role and brings considerable responsibility. This includes managing a budget, developing a ministry, maintenance of the property as well as ensuring the church is compliant with all legal requirements. Trustees may be known as directors, board members, governors or committee members in some churches, but if they are involved with the governance of the church they will be classed as a trustee. Trustees and officers indemnity is included within our Church Choice policy up to a limit of 100,000 or 250,000 in any one period of insurance (details can be found in your policy wording or schedule). Trustees and officers indemnity will cover against damages, costs and expenses arising from wrongful acts committed by an individual acting in their capacity as a trustee of the church. This means if a trustee makes an honest mistake cover is provided to protect the individual and the church against these costs. Trustees and officers indemnity also provides cover for wrongly committed acts such as breach of trust, breach of duty, neglect, error, mis-statement, misleading statements, libel, slander, breach of contract, omission or breach of warranty of authority. Full details of the cover provided can be found in Section 5 Liabilities, Extension 9 in your policy wording. New church underwriter We are pleased to welcome Paula Saxon who joined the church underwriting department in December last year and we wish her well in her new role. Paula joined us from AIUA, a specialist Agricultural Insurer, where she worked as a farm underwriter. This previous role has provided her with experience of household, commercial property, revenue and liability insurance and this will help in her new role as a church insurance underwriter. If you need to update any information regarding your church please contact your intermediary or Congregational. Our offices are open 9.00am-5.00pm Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays). tel: general address: info@cgins.co.uk claims: claims@cgins.co.uk church underwriting: church@cgins.co.uk Keeping you informed... churchlife Congregational & General Insurance plc Registered Office: Currer House, Currer Street, Bradford, West Yorkshire, BD1 5BA. Registered in England and Wales Registered Number Authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. Financial Services Register No CG/CLNL/0515