David Thatcher, Senior Leader at Arun Community Church writes:

Rich left us on Wednesday afternoon 25 August to take up residence in the house that Jesus has been preparing for him in heaven.

He has been part of this Church for 36 years having first come along when he was 15. A highly respected Elder for 16 years, CEO of Links International, whose ministry and influence has been global, we will miss him enormously. We thank God for him, his life and example, and all he achieved.

All at Through the Roof join with the church in sending our prayers and sympathy to Richard’s wife, children and wider family.

Details of the Service of Thanksgiving may be found on the Arun Community Church website

September 3rd – 7.30pm & September 4th – 10.30am to 4pm

The DCF Connect Weekend is an opportunity for friends old and new of DCF to come together and learn more about the fellowship. We’ll be looking at all the various programmes we run, chatting about how people can get involved helping on the holidays, and growing together through worship and sharing. There’ll also be fundraising events on the Friday evening, including a silent auction. The event will cost £10, to cover the cost of a buffet lunch on Saturday. If you’re interested in finding out more and receiving a flyer, please contact Jenny at the office on 01372 737046.

The group leader, Richard Kibbet, wrote to our CEO Jacky Oliver, to say…

“The group feels inspired and hopeful because of your encouraging words. We were able to commemorate Sylvia Parrot’s (Work Aid) UK retirement day on 27/7/2010 by planting trees in our town. She introduced us to your charity.

A tree was also planted in your honour and for Through the Roof. We plan to continue with our sensitisation and advocacy programmes for the disabled persons through activities geared towards their recognition as vulnerable members of society.”

The photo above shows two members of the group with the recently-planted tree and the plaque in honour of Jacky.

Working in partnership with RILD (Response Initiative for Learning Disabilities), over 100 wheelchairs were individually fitted and 183 bibles given out, along wtih other mobility aids and hand-crafted blankets.

The team felt this trip to be special in so many ways, not least because the airline strike resulted in them being able to see disabled people who otherwise would have missed out.

One team member described their ’special moment’:

“I find it immensely humbling and moving to see the change in people that had been arriving walking on their knees, or being carried… When leaving (in their wheelchairs) the people are sitting at eye level, and you can almost see a visible change in their outlook on life, and also in the way that they are perceived by others. One in particular that sticks in my mind is an older brother who was eventually given a wheelchair, and was joined at the assessment by his mother and younger sister. When seated, it was the first time for years that his sister had naturally communicated with him at eye level, and this seemed to have a noticeable impact on the way that he was regarded by the sister and no doubt by many others.”

36 intrepid explorers recently descended on the Lake District to try outdoor activities (in the rain) and discover more about Discipleship, themselves and God as part of the SHINE holiday.

Run by Scripture Union in partnership with Through the Roof, SHINE was a new activity holiday for young adults (20s and 30s), approximately half of whom had personal experience of disability. Living in inclusive community, small teams of six supported each other and provided personal care where required, then joined up with another team to experience rock climbing, canoeing and caving. In the evenings everyone came together for a time of worship, DVD, talk on an aspect of Discipleship and small group discussion.

The activities, support and teaching, under the calm leadership of Simon and Sarah Nicholson (+ 6 month-old Amy), brought out the best in everyone where new qualities were discovered and friendships formed.

Plans are underway for SHINE 2011 so contact us if you are up for a holiday of outdoor activity and living inclusively and check out the Facebook group.

Through the Roof will be taking part in a brand new conference in London on the 7th October. ‘Enabling Church’ will feature a range of speakers – including Rev John Naude and Mike Townsend (both part of TTR’s board), Jonathan Lamb, Joni Eareckson Tada (via video), Malcolm Duncan and Roy McCloughry – and promises to broaden and deepen your thinking about disability and the engagement of disabled people with church life, equipping you to make a difference in your own church situation. Standard booking tickets cost £25 and are available by following this link to Premier’s website or calling Premier Response on 08456 525252.

• Follow this link to download a PDF flyer for the event containing many more details.

DCF Ribble Valley will be meeting at The Rimington Institute, Clitheroe,  on the first Saturday of every month, starting in September 2010.

If you would like to know more about becoming a member, or would be interested in helping the group in any way, please contact Edith Isaacs on 01772 436 714.

Geoff wrote, “I’ve raised money for the Through the Roof Wheels4Haiti appeal. Following the horrific injuries sustained during the Earthquake in January, there were many people left immobile.”

“I’ve set up a donation page on JustGiving, at www.justgiving.com/Geoff-Mace“.

“Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate – I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity. So please dig deep and donate now.”

Including Gift Aid reclaimed from donations, Friends of Jesus will have raised the brilliant total of £4019 to benefit our overseas work.  Members from the group commented on how much they enjoyed their special event, and members of the team say that it was a joy to be involved – they were particularly encouraged by the willingness of numerous people to give their help and support.   One team member commented that whilst being hard work at times, the event as a whole had been a real blessing.

If your church group would like to raise money for Wheels for the World or any of Through the Roof’s other programmes we’d love to hear from you!  Email info@throughtheroof.org