'Enabling Church' Audio
The 'Enabling Church' conference encouraged the church to set the standard in ministering to the marginalised -- you can listen to the main talks (or remind yourself of what happened) by visiting Premier's website -- Follow this link to download 'Enabling Church' audio files
For more about the Enabling Church conference, follow this link
The Sharon Award
2010 is the first year we have given someone special a DCF award. Jenny Edwards will be travelling to Bournemouth later in November to present this award (we won't say who's won it as she doesn't know herself yet!).
Anyone can nominate a member of DCF for The Sharon Award. This is given in memory of Sharon Key, who recently went to be with the Lord, and is a crystal key on a named placque (Sharon's surname was Key). All we ask is for people to have the same qualities Sharon showed over the years she was with us in DCF - cheerfulness, courage and faith in God. If you know of anyone who meets these criteria, ring 01372 749955 for an application form and your nomination will be considered with others for the award in 2011.
Karen Goodridge
Karen joined Through the Roof as a volunteer fundraiser, working on obtaining grants and funding bids, as well as sharing her expertise from years raising money for Wheels for the World in Ashtead.
Summer Fun!
Delicious home baked scones and cakes were enjoyed at the Ashtead Wheels for the World Summer Garden Party this year, raising £521.50 for 'Wheels' distributions. The marquee was buzzing with conversation as tea was served by the faithful team of helpers. Raffle prizes were drawn, giving the winners days out to look forward to over the summer to various Surrey attractions.
Karen Goodridge, Ashtead Churches Representative
Sheep in Stoneleigh
By Paula Smith
On Saturday 25th September approx 40 people gathered for afternoon at Stoneleigh DCF. Our time together focussed on the parable of the lost sheep & its message that each one is important to God & loved by Him. Jesus is our shepherd & wants us to stay close to Him.
Each guest was given the opportunity to decorate a coaster with pictures reminding them of the story. We also had a quiz & watched the adventures of ‘Shaun the sheep’ before being led in prayer by a profoundly disabled young lady with a simple yet genuine faith in Jesus as her shepherd. A good time was had by all! We meet for our Christmas tea together on Saturday 4 December.
Does your group have any stories to share? Please get in touch.
Live From Lausanne
Radio 4's Sunday Worship on 17 October (after the 8am news) will come from All Souls, Langham Place and from Cape Town, to mark the opening of the Lausanne Congress - do let your families, friends and churches know.
Learn more about the Capetown 2010 conference, and the role that our CEO, Jacky Oliver, will be playing by visiting this news post about Capetown 2010.
Church can set the standard
Over 400 delegates at the ‘Enabling Church’ conference heard Roy McCloughry, Malcolm Duncan, Joni Eareckson-Tada and other keynote speakers encourage the church to set the standard through ministering to the marginalised.
A common theme of the day was the celebration that we are all inter-dependent with each other. Church and society is stronger when disabled people and non-disabled people contribute their gifts together. This was demonstrated by many presenters speaking from personal experience of disability.
Through the Roof joined other disability ministries as part of the Churches for All network, along with Premier Christian Radio, to organise the one-day conference. One delegate commented, “It was probably the most positive and affirming event I've ever been to in my life”, and another said, “It really fired me up to do more in my church”.
Content from the event will soon be available from churchesforall.org in audio and text format and a forum on disability theology is being initiated. Contact us for further details
Is there a place for me?
For anyone not able to make it to the Enabling Church Conference in October (or for anyone who wants more!) Through the Roof is taking part in a one day event in Oxford and would love to see you there:
What?
Including people with learning disabilities in the life of the Church - A resource day for clergy and other church leaders; people with learning disabilities; family, friends and carers, and professionals in the field of learning disabilities.
When?
Thursday 4 November 2010, 9.15 am – 3.30 pm
Where?
CMS, Watlington Road, Oxford OX4 6BZ
Cost?
£25 (waged), £10 (unwaged), including lunch and refreshments
For further information contact Wendy Bryant
A Visit From America Latina
Bellita and Liza of America Latina School and Ministries, our Integr8 partners in Guatemala, met with staff and volunteers at the TTR offices on 14th September while on a UK visit to raise funds and awareness for their work.
They shared about their pioneering work as the first school in their country to be recognised by the government to include disabled students. Bellita, General Director, thanked Through the Roof for their work and for the Integr8 teams to Guatemala for helping change attitudes in churches about disabled people. Find out more about the Integr8 trip at www.youth.throughtheroof.org and about America Latina at www.worldshare.org.uk.
Haiti Recce
In seven seconds a 7.0 magnitude earthquake devastated Haiti resulting in 230,000 deaths and millions of Haitians homeless and injured. According to the United Nations, Haiti is the poorest country in the Western hemisphere where it is estimated that nearly 80 percent of the population live on less than $2 per day.
There is a great need for wheelchairs.
Between September 14th and 24th Glenda Pike (our Wheels for the World Co-ordinator) will be on her travels once more, this time visiting Haiti in order to assess the feasibility of sending a container of our wheelchairs and a Wheels team to fit the chairs.
Glenda will be accompanied by Derek Watts, a wheelchair technician living in Chicago, and will work alongside Medical Teams International based at Les Cayes, and other organisations already working with disabled people in the country.
Please pray for:
- No flight disruptions
- Good relationship with local Christians
- Health, safety and stamina
- Protection when travelling
- Opportunities to meet other organisations working within Haiti
- Sensitivity to each situation
- Clarity through interpreters and wisdom to know the next step