Vital Link No 75 Summer 2019 | Page 3

All of us Complete in Christ Back in 2014, Through the Roof conducted a survey of disabled people’s experience of Church. We asked four questions… What one thing do you wish churches knew? What’s the most important thing your church could do for you? What do you wish your church would let you do for them? What positive benefits does your disability add to your relationship with God? The results can be found at www.throughtheroof.org/allofus. Now, five years later, we are hopeful things have changed since we did our survey, so we are repeating it with exactly the same questions. People can respond by several different means: you can call us with your answers on 01372 749955; email them to ros@throughtheroof; write them out and post them to Through the Roof, Alpha House, Alpha Place, Garth Road, Morden, Surrey, SM4 4TQ, or fill the form in online by going to https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/5RKRSSJ or scanning this QR code: Scan this code with your phone to go straight to the survey We’d love to hear about your experiences—they could help shape how we work with churches for the next five years! Thanks Margaret We want to acknowledge and say a huge, but very sad, thank you to TTR stalwart Margaret Bale, who is leaving us in September. Margaret has kept things organised as Admin & Events Manager for the past 17 years, delivering a warm welcome to callers, visitors and emailers, as well as maintaining a fearsome array of spreadsheets to keep events, holidays, speakers, groups, and much more on track. Through the Roof is quietly efficient, due greatly to Margaret’s influence, as she has kept staff, volunteers and trustees in order, enhancing every person’s contribution thanks to her unstinting support behind-the-scenes – as well as more recently up-front as Co-Leader of our Treloars Holiday. Fellow leader, Jenny Edwards, reflects, “We have shared laughs, cried together and rejoiced together and I have gained by having a compassionate, caring friend. I shall miss her enormously.” Others commented, “It has been a joy working with her at TTR and she will be missed, not just for her skills but also her personality!” “Margaret has always been very quick to offer assistance and happy to put her own work aside. She gave me the warmest of friendly welcomes when I joined, and was endlessly patient with all my enquiries. She is a cheerful and unflappable presence in the office. Her shoes will be very hard to fill.” Tim concludes: “The unique mix of Margaret’s love for God, heart for people, and super-efficient organisational skills are rare to come by, and have been a huge blessing to me and the charity. Sian enthused, “It has been an absolute pleasure Margaret, you go with all our love to work with Margaret. My favourite memories are and prayers into a new season. Margaret (l) enjoying a spot of cycling on of Dalesdown Family Holidays where Margaret Thank you.” one of our holidays dealt with fire alarms; excursions; potential We are currently recruiting disasters; a few actual disasters and even a bruises administration support to enable the charity’s activities continue to flourish. with good humour and a doughty determination Visit www.throughtheroof.org for details. to get through it all without losing anyone!! I will really miss her-it’s been great fun!” www.throughtheroof.org