Following Jesus through the roof
The Roofbreaker project aims to break down barriers faced by disabled people in Christian life.
The gospels tell of friends bringing a paralysed man to Jesus – when they could not get into the house, they broke down the roof and lowered him, right in front of Jesus. Likewise, Mary, Judith and a small team at St Bartholomew’s, Brisley, are doing their best to make changes so disabilities do not prevent people coming to Christ. After an audit they started with small things such as improved church lighting for lip readers. They are adapting as each situation arises, with later developments being a loop system for the hard of hearing and a ramp to the chancel for wheelchair users. The current project is a disabled toilet.
The St Bartholomew’s congregation is small, but right at the heart of community life, inviting musicians, conservationists, and artists to use the beautiful church building.
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Young people following the good shepherd
“Establish was an exciting and fun opportunity where I was able to progress in my faith and talk to other young Christians,” says Rosie Hutton, 2022/23 graduate of Establish.
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Inter-faith Week creation care
This time last year, a group of people from different faith groups met together at Bishop Graham’s invitation, prompted by a request from a local Muslim cleric, to discuss what their teachings said about creation care. Gradually, an ongoing plan for working together is being formed.
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Caring for our armed forces people
Becoming the oldest female the British Army has recruited has brought immense satisfaction and a deep sense of achievement to the Revd (Capt.) Ailsa Whorton, as has following her two children into the army.
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Caring for the flock
“Following Jesus in a secular setting can be hard,” says Laura.
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Following Jesus at university
“University is such an exciting time to follow Jesus, students are often so open to hearing the gospel,” says Emma Pilgrim of the University of East Anglia Christian Union (CU).
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Reaching out to those in modern day slavery
The Revd Corin Child is keen to help us notice, respond, and care for our sisters and brothers who are hidden in plain sight, and suffering deeply.
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Hope Into Action
“I was just a loser all the time, didn’t know what I was doing, always angry” exclaims Sophie, but then she was offered tenancy in a Hope Into Action home associated with St Catherine’s Church, Norwich: she is now on her feet, secure.
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God at work
Michael works at an outdoor water activity centre, but it wasn’t always that way.
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Leaving home
“Being in hospital gives us lots of time to think, which can be very difficult when the future is uncertain and we don’t know where our next home will be,” says the Revd Julia Chamberlin, volunteer chaplain at the North Walsham Community Hospital.
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