Learning from Lockdown
Four UK-wide events in
response to lockdown
Lockdown has been a challenge in so many ways, and
we have had to find different methods for doing things.
Instead of being able to meet together for events in
different parts of the UK, we have instead organised a
series of four online events.
In May we held ‘Roofbreaking in Lockdown’, an event
specifically to support Roofbreakers in dealing with
these changing times. One of our Roofbreakers, Sarah
Wadsworth, spoke about how her church has adapted
its ministry and are making sure disabled people are
included. It was good to get feedback from everybody
about the challenges of lockdown, but also the new
opportunities and ideas that have emerged in relation
to including disabled people in church life in the future.
Our June event was ‘Disabled People’s Insights for the
Church during Lockdown’. Our own Fiona Gosden spoke
about the fact that for many disabled people isolation is
the norm, and their experience can bring an important
message to the church. Disabled people’s voices need to
be heard, and we had plenty of chances during the event
for some helpful insights to be gathered from everyone
present. One interesting finding from our survey was
that 81% of those attending thought that churches had
become more aware of disabled people’s needs during
lockdown.
At the July event we had Matt Lloyd, a church leader
from Bromley, speaking about ‘Learning from Lockdown’
- looking at how the church can respond, particularly
as restrictions begin to lift. Matt’s desire is to make sure
that the church of the future is better able to reach
Matt’s talk from the third event is
available now on our Youtube channel
disabled people, and particularly that the church is
better at listening to disabled people. The embrace of
developments in technology forced on us all by the
Coronavirus have brought new opportunities for disabled
people to be able to contribute to church life, and to
bring their own ministry and message to the church.
We’re looking forward to our final event on Saturday
September 12th; ‘Church disability inclusion as a
new normal - how can we ensure the Gospel reaches
everyone?’ Do look out for details on the Through the
Roof website or Facebook page, and join us then!
DCF Leaders On Call
Disabled Christian Fellowship groups have been unable to meet in-person at this time but faithful leaders up and
down the country have been keeping in contact with their group members on the phone, by post or text, and
through deliveries. Several leaders took time out of caring for their members to attend a special video-conference call.
Through the Roof staff and DCF Leaders met to encourage one another, to update on their own situations and to pray
together. We were particularly encouraged by the story of Ray, faithful leader of his group in Essex for 40 years who
told us how God had used his 12-month stint confined to hospital (pre Covid-19) as an opportunity to witness
to patients in the ward he was in.
We’re continuing to support and share with DCF groups and leaders, and look forward to chatting again, and helping
them as circumstances change, and groups can hopefully begin to meet again.
www.throughtheroof.org