From:-
TORCH TRUST, Torch House, Torch Way, Market Harborough, Leicestershire, LE16 9HL, U.K.
Telephone: +44 (0)1858 438260, Fax: +44 (0)1858 438275, email: info@torchtrust.org
The Torch Trust for the Blind, registered charity number 1095904.
This edition of Good News has coincided with the third issue of eNews – the occasional email news service from Torch Trust. So, for a change we thought we would forward a copy of that news for you and your Group. The text can be found on the following pages. Around 250 people have been taking part in the eNews pilot project, including some Group leaders. If you would like to be added to the distribution list then please let me know – and provide an email address.
Some Groups are already using the monthly Insight Audio CD to play extracts from programmes at their Group meetings. We thought this would be a useful resource for all Groups to consider using and so plan to send a copy with each edition of Good News.
An exciting Torch Holidays programme for 2011 has just been released and is available from Torch House.
We have available for all our Groups a letter from our Insurance Broker confirming that Torch Trust has Public Liability Insurance in place covering the period to 1st October 2011. You may be required to produce this to the owners or Trustees of the premises in which you hold your meetings or activities.
The cover relates to the normal meetings and outings of your Group. If you plan to hold an event or undertake an activity that carries additional risks, or which is outside of the scope that would normally be undertaken by a Group, then please contact us at the planning stage in order that we can seek the advice of our Broker. For example, a coach outing would be covered, but we'd suggest you contact us if arranging a group holiday.
As a postscript, we recommend that Group volunteer drivers using their own vehicles inform their own insurance company of the voluntary transport they provide. We have not yet had an instance of an insurance company increasing a premium for such an activity. Contact us if you've received any indication to the contrary.
Dear Torch friends
Let's start with some important news about future direction for Torch.
People starting out on the journey of sight loss are to be a new and added focus of Torch ministry, it was announced at the organisation's recent annual Thanksgiving.
Setting out the strategy for the next five years, CEO Dr Gordon Temple said that as he and the trustees had sought God 'to find what adventure he has planned,' they had been 'drawn' to become companions to those who receive the devastating news of sight loss.
One hundred people every day in Britain are given such a diagnosis.
'Only one in five of them have someone with them when they hear the news that no medical intervention can prevent them from going blind,' said Gordon. 'And only one in 12 are ever offered any sort of counselling.'
Around 180 people attended the Thanksgiving at Brighton Road Baptist Church, Horsham in West Sussex, including members of 17 Torch Fellowship groups from as far afield as Southport and Bristol. For a fuller report, go to the home page of the Torch website: www.torchtrust.org
In the last eNews we were excitedly preparing for the Churches for All conference in London. Enabling Church was a great day, attracting over 400 delegates and with some powerful talks and seminars. The event has really strengthened ties with a number of disability organisations. We are looking into the possibility of publishing a church resource using material from the day. Do pray about that with us.
A very significant date in the diary happens this weekend, 7 November, when Gordon flies off to Malawi – his first visit to Torch (Malawi) International since he began to lead the organisation. He will join International Leader Janet Stafford, currently on an extended trip to Malawi. With a significant appointment in the Torch personnel there, this is a strategic time for Gordon's trip. Again, we would value your prayers for this, not least because Gordon's Pat wife has been quite unwell this year, with a number of health issues unresolved. Gordon returns to the UK on November 26.
We're delighted that three more volunteer Regional Coordinators have been added to those who do the invaluable work of supporting our Torch Fellowship Groups and promoting our resources around the UK.
Jennifer Merrilees is involved with the Edinburgh Torch Group and has agreed to become our Coordinator in Scotland. John Seager, for many years the leader of the Basildon Torch Group, will be the new Coordinator in Essex. And David Judson, assisting our Group in Leeds, will be supporting Ruth Holder in Yorkshire. We're so grateful to God for their commitment.
Torch House staff and volunteers will take a few hours away from their desks to celebrate the season with a carol service on the afternoon of December 7, including songs from Marilyn Baker. If you live within reach of Market Harborough, we'd be glad to welcome you to come along. Do contact Carol Nokes (caroln@torchtrust.org) to let us know if you can join us.
And talking of seasonal celebrations, the Torch Holiday & Retreat Centre is in the midst of a very busy period, with lots of guests. On 15 November our five-day Christmas Crafts holiday gets under way, followed on 29 November by the festive Turkey and Tinsel holiday. To find out if there are vacancies or to be sent the details for 2011 holidays, phone info@torchtrust.org If you are sighted, perhaps you would be interested in volunteering for one of these holidays, being part of a small team that enables blind and partially sighted people to have the holiday of a lifetime.
We're delighted to report a number of 'firsts' in our literature ministry. Starting in January we'll be offering a daily devotional publication in braille. If you'd like to receive the quarterly Daily Bread from Scripture Union, let us know. And coming soon will be daily Bible reading notes in Giant Print. Please contact us for further details.
Would you or your church like to have the Bethlehem Carol Sheet in braille? This is on offer this year, another 'first'! And a seasonal special offer! We have about 100 surplus copies in braille of Traditional Carols from Torch, plus some print copies – we'd be glad to give these away, so first come, first served! The giant print edition is available at £1 each.
Wishing you joyful as you prepare to celebrate Immanuel – Christ with us!
David Palmer
Regional Outreach Leader