Vital Link No 76 Autumn 2019 | Page 2

(Continued from page 1) with residents that they would know God whatever their circumstances. We also visited a small old people’s home for the neediest. Again, without family support, there is no care available if you are ageing and unwell. On entering a small room for 8 people we were greeted by Olga, a resident at the home. She immediately started sharing her testimony of how she came to know Christ. She was beaming. She shared how she had been bed-ridden for 8 months with depression, but was now up and Contact Details Through the Roof, Alpha House, Alpha Place, Garth Road, Morden, Surrey, SM4 4TQ Phone: 01372 749955 Email: [email protected] Web: www.throughtheroof.org Our Vision ‘… is all people enjoying life together, mutually giving and receiving, as God intended’ By Fiona Gosden - Deputy Church Inclusion Coordinator It was fantastic to meet the Edinburgh Roofbreaker Network recently and celebrate what God is doing there. We thank Claire Wilson as she hands over to a new coordinating team after 6 years in the role. Claire’s vision for the network and heart to see disabled people connected within churches is evident and her hard work is appreciated by everyone who’s been involved. An Area Network meeting is a safe place for local Roofbreakers to share ideas and to encourage and pray for each other. I think this description from a network attendee sums it up perfectly: “a place of safety and security, an ideal home, where we can be ourselves and know that we are accepted for who we are. We have easy access to understanding and acceptance. We may be challenged to grow here, but always in the context of a deep and strong love”. Please keep the new team in your prayers! As I shared my testimony of how God brought me to TTR, he really put the vision on my heart again—we need each other’s support and prayers to see more disabled people connected to church. It can often be hard to talk about faith in settings where inclusion is the main agenda, or vice versa, so Networks are valuable places to talk about faith and inclusion together. We discussed barriers to church, such as inaccessible buildings, and improvements in technology that have made adjustments easier. The day ended with prayer and planning for the next year—we’re excited to see God use this group for His Glory! There were several new Roofbreaker sign ups, which is fantastic because we believe every church needs a Roofbreaker! Everyone who signs up receives a free ‘starter toolkit’, and monthly e-mail encouragement with ideas to transform church life and ensure that disabled people can belong and contribute to God’s Kingdom (Luke 5). Join us at: www.throughtheroof.org and together God can use us to change lives across the UK. Plans are already under way for the holidays of 2020! We are planning to hold two retreats at Brunel Manor, Torquay (April 6th – 10th) Vital Link is designed and printed by PDC Design & Print www.pdc-kingston.co.uk We also need disabled people’s unique voices to see change in perspectives and to grow empathy. Take A Break In 2020 '… is transforming lives through Jesus with disabled people’ Quotes are sometimes edited for clarity and length The team were blessed by their time in Ukraine and pray that they have also been a blessing to those who live in extremely challenging circumstances. Blog posts and photos are on our website: www.throughtheroof.org, and you can find out how to join a future Churches Inc trip later in the newsletter. A Heart To Connect Our Mission Through the Roof Charitable Trust Ltd is a UK Registered Company number 04201510 with offices at Alpha House, Alpha Place, Garth Road, Morden, Surrey, SM4 4TQ. It is also a Registered Charity Number 1087788. walking, giving all the glory to God. We thank God for Olga and pray that her testimony may speak to others there. and another one over Summer Bank Holiday (28th – 29th August TBC) We are also planning holidays at: Center Parcs, Sherwood Forest, Notts (8th – 12th June) Join us for a break in 2020 Activity Holiday at Treloar’s College, Hants (Jul 27th – 1st Aug) DCF coastal Holiday at Brunel Manor, Torquay (1st- 7th September) These dates were yet to be finalised at time of printing, so please contact us on 01372 749955 or [email protected] for the holiday leaflet with full details. We’d love for you to join us for a great time of fun, friendship and spiritual food. www.throughtheroof.org Get in touch to find out more about our accessible and welcoming holidays