From time to time the FIEC is asked to recommend suppliers of products regularly needed by churches - anything from communion cups to sound systems or lighting, and from notice-boards to chairs.
We suggest that you may want to check out the following sources of information:
UK Christian Handbook. Details from the UK Christian handbook website or your local Christian bookshop. The section headings cover Accommodation, Books, Churches, Evangelism, Media, Overseas, Services and Training.
Maintenance & Equipment News - an A5 booklet of about 60 pages for Churches and Schools, published four times a year. This covers feature articles in each issue as well as extensive advertising and a post-free response card. Further details can be viewed at www.cwponline.co.uk or by telephoning Crown Wood Publications on 01344 459528. The publication, which has a restricted circulation, is free and available only to those in full time ministry or to Church Treasurers.
The Internet - a basic search can be done on an Internet Search Engine, but specialist Christian web portals exist, giving access directly to the websites of Christian suppliers. Some of the most useful appear to be the web portals provided by the Christian Resources Exhibition - www.creonline.co.uk; Christian Pages - www.cponline.co.uk and The Churches Purchasing Scheme Limited (CPS) a scheme operated by Ecclesiastical Insurance www.cpsonline.co.uk.
Products that may be of interest to churches during the Swine Flu pandemic include:
A Surgical Hand Gel (pump-action container) available from Bound Tree Medical Europe Limited
Disposable individual communion cups - available from Christian Bits
Churches and individuals will need to use their own judgement about the quality and value of the goods and services offered through these sources, but the above websites may well be a good starting-point for the information required. FIEC does not necessarily endorse or recommend any product or service shown on these websites.