Ministers and leaders from Congregational Churches enjoyed a relaxed, but stimulating conference in April at the splendid Derbyshire location of Willersley Castle, Matlock.
Key events for most of the 81 who attended were talks by church consultant and trainer John Truscott, who urged a wider and wiser use of the human resources - people - in Christian church life.
Under the theme of 'Turning Tables - any change?' the conference was organised this year by the Federation Finance and Support Services Committee, and was introduced by chairman Adam Woricker. The committee may sound like a dull area of the Federation's work, but deals with many 'engine room' activities which keeps the ship not only afloat but financially on course and moving forward.
Lively worship sessions were led by Suzanne Nockels, of Market Harborough, on aspects of 'money and imagination'.
Janet Wootton, Federation Director of studies, led incisive Bible studies looking at the way money featured in the stories of Old and New Testaments.
Why were we so afraid to talk about money? The ministry of Jesus had a great deal to say about cash values.
The team which visited the Dominican Republic to see the work being done in the One Respe programme gave a moving account of the way poor and marginalised people were having their lives transformed.
The earthquake in neighbouring Haiti had served to attract funding away from the Christian Aid programme, and Federation churches were urgently reminded that we were still £20,000 short of our £30,000 pledge to help Christian Aid with the One Respe programme.
The conference was deeply moved by evidence from Romania of the vigorous life of Christian churches as the country emerged from many years of communist rule.
Elena Timofticiuc, a dynamic 50 year old mother of two, spoke with passion and without notes for 80 minutes about the way churches are involved together in care for abandoned children, and the prevention of human trafficking.
She works with Inter-church aid for an ecumenical association of churches in Romania.
Elena spoke of the way some 100,000 children had been left to the care of neighbours as their parents fled abroad and never returned.
The Federation is a member of the Conference of European Churches, (CEC), to which the Romanian churches also belong.
Members had an opportunity to discuss finance and property matters with Mark Tucker, Manager of Federation Ltd, and with Adam Woricker. Matthew Waddington led a 'Fair Trade' challenge and hosted an 'All Age' church workshop.
Graham Adams explained the dynamic behind the 'Growing Disciples' training programme now available to churches.
Relaxation was available at the Castle's swimming pool, and during a hilarious quiz evening. A team of Morris dancers from Nottingham led cheerful evening of song and dance, and with three days of fine weather, members were free to explore the superb Derwent Valley countryside.