To find out more about the sports, the athletes, and even try out the game of Boccia on-line, follow this link to visit the Channel 4 Paralympics website.

Ideas for mission, youth sessions and Sunday sermons will follow soon…

Alan and Philippa from Integr8 will be there – running our stand and chatting to people about what our youth programme is offering and how we can help you. Alan and Alice Langtree (TTR Board Member) will be running a workshop on our innovative Parachute Bible Stories on the Saturday Afternoon.

Whether you have been involved in these areas of ministry for years or are just starting as a volunteer, then from 4pm on Friday 3rd February to 3pm on Sunday 5th February you’ll find helpful seminars, workshops, ministry showcases, exhibiting organisations and resources.

The programme includes plenary and optional sessions that focus on how we can make the most of the opportunities that major sporting events provide for churches to engage with their community. There will also be a stream of Messy Church sessions throughout the weekend. So if you already run a Messy Church and want fresh ideas, or if you are thinking about Messy Church as a possible new initiative for your church, you can choose those options. And, to encourage you to bring your junior leaders along, there is a half-price ticket for under 21s and some sessions aimed particularly at them.

Find out more about the conference by following this link.

Photo by Flickr user dystopos.

A massive range of activities are available including rock climbing, abseiling, an assault course, caving and canoeing, all in the beautiful countryside situated between the Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales. Why not discover who God is in a relaxed, fun and open environment? There will be main meetings and small group Bible study times including the opportunity to ask questions and discuss topics that matter to you.

Due to the nature of the holiday, all participants should have good health. Shine is being run in partnership with the Christian disability charity, Through The Roof. If you need help registering online and filling in the application form, feel free to ask a friend or carer, or phone Simon or Sarah, the holiday leaders on 0114 266 9062 or Scripture Union on 0500 856789. The site is suitable for wheelchairs but please contact the holiday leader BEFORE booking to discuss specific programme issues.

A shocking new report says that three out of every four families with a disabled child are being left isolated. Contact-a-Family – a charity supporting families with disabled children – found that 72% of these families experience anxiety, depression or breakdown, with almost half (49%) asking their GP for medication or see a counsellor.

The report says that families with disabled children experience isolation through a lack of social interaction, caused by not having the time or money to work and do normal family activities. Families also fear how people might react to them when they go out with their child. The resulting stress leads to 1 in 5 families or marriages breaking up.

Commenting on Premier Radio about the report, Tim Wood, Through the Roof’s CEO said that the government is not doing enough to help, “I know a mum on her own with a severly autistic daughter who can’t even get one night of respite a month because the council cut the number of available places.” He hopes that Christians and churches will respond positively to the report by showing Jesus’ love and acceptance by reaching out: “It’s not rocket science – just being there for someone, to listen, pray and maybe to offer a meal or to look after siblings can be a great help.”

Through the Roof’s youth programme, Integr8, is planning to help families by offering an ‘Integr8 Encounter’ through churches to bring together young people with and without disabilites to find friendship, learn new skills and do activities together in a supportive environment.

Have you struggled with any of the issues highlighted in the report? Why not comment on our Facebook page?

You can read about the report, and listen to an excerpt from Tim’s comments on Premier news by visiting the Premier website through following this link

Photo taken from Flickr user studiostoer – see their photostream by following this link.

Please get in touch (on 01372 749955 or by following this link to email us) if you have any problems downloading this, or if you’d like to receive future newsletters by post or email.

UPDATE – 02/12/11

We recieved a text from the team this morning, as they began their journey home. After 3 days distribution (and a final 15-and-a-half-hour working day!), they’ve given out all the chairs, and only have some childrens things + mobility aids remaining. These will be distributed by our contacts in the country. There is still great need in the area, but the mission was accomplished.

We’re really grateful to our Wheels volunteers for working so hard on this trip, particularly after red tape delayed the arrival of the wheelchairs.  Thank you too to all those who’ve been supporting the team with prayer during the trip.

Communication is only by text, so we don’t have any more information to share at the moment, but we’ll keep updating the website and Facebook as and when we hear things.