The Quarterly News Magazine of Torch Trust
OUR AIM: To overcome sight loss as a barrier to finding a personal faith in Christ and to living a fulfilled Christian life.
From:-
TORCH TRUST, Torch House, Torch Way, Market Harborough, Leicestershire, LE16 9HL, U.K.
Telephone: (01858) 438260, Fax: (01858) 438275, email: info@torchtrust.org
Charity Number 1095904.
This edition of Torch Family News highlights the ways in which Torch is making a difference in the lives of blind and partially sighted people. Of course, there are many other organisations which offer services to people with sight loss. We celebrate what they do and work happily alongside them. Why then does Torch exist? What makes the difference?
At our recent staff retreat day we had our thoughts directed to a passage in Revelation (Chapters 4 and 5). It's a striking picture in which the throne of God is seen encircled with worshipers. The Lamb that occupies the throne looks as if it has been killed but is standing - alive and the object of the worshipers' admiration. The Lamb is of course none other than the risen Lord Jesus.
I have been thinking about the abiding values that underpin the work of Torch, past, present and future - principles that make the difference. Torch is Christ-centred. He is the one around whom everything revolves. When our trustees meet they, like the elders in the Revelation picture, acknowledge God's supreme authority in worship and prayer. Each day at Torch House starts with worship and prayer for all.
So it's not just what we do that makes the difference, it's the way that we do it. Every book or magazine sent, every holiday run, every group meeting, is touched with the love of Christ and a channel for his blessing into the lives of blind and partially sighted people across the UK and around the world.
Gordon Temple
Joan was losing her sight. On hearing from Valerie, a volunteer, about Torch and Torch holidays, she booked for the craft week at Torch Holiday and Retreat Centre.
'Oh it's so homely,' Joan said on arrival. 'I have been a publican all my life and have not had time to go to church, but I want to find out who God is.'
At the end of the week she had two words to describe it: 'Fantastically fabulous'. She went on to say, 'I have stayed in 5-star hotels throughout my life but none of them lived up to the food, the service, the love, the care and attention that I have received here this week.' She added she had learned so much about God during her week but most of all she had experienced the love of Jesus at the hands of all the staff and volunteers.
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Brian and Margaret are regular guests at Torch HRC. 'We knew this place was different,' they commented after stepping inside for the first time. 'The welcome was so special and it is so much like a family home.'
Margaret loves doing all the crafts and she helps show the guests what they can do. Brian has gained confidence to pray and speak aloud. He says, 'I experienced a Christian way of living at Torch and now I pray at every opportunity. Torch will be a central part of my life until I die.'
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Olive volunteered to help at the Christmas houseparty, and her husband, Roger, a former Baptist minister, accompanied her to give support. They found it a very enriching and moving experience, and have since helped at more houseparties, including speaking at sessions.
Roger says that being involved in the ministry of Torch holidays has given them a new lease of life and a purpose for living. They say, 'We have received so much more than we have given, and it has been a privilege to become part of the team.'
Roger and Olive will be speaking at a number of holidays throughout the rest of this year; they bring with them not only years of pastoral care and Bible teaching, but an amazing musical talent.
[To find out more, contact: holidays@torchtrust.org or phone 01273 832282.]
We have recently had a Book Committee which is where we prayerfully decide which books will be transcribed for our Library. It is truly wonderful to be encouraged with letters like this one from Julia who is an audio borrower:
'Thanks for sending Autumn Return by Sally Brice Winterbourn. It took me right out of the confines of my bedroom, and had me exploring the bays, coves, and inlets of Cornwall!
'I loved her style of writing - the attention to little details of everyday life, which seem to fascinate me all the more these days - probably because I don't take them for granted any more; like what they ate at a meal, what the main character was seeing, her descriptive abilities of various scenes.
'Of course, all this without being taken too far from the purposes and plans of a loving Father - even in a fictional story. I found I was being taught lessons - to trust!'
Loss of sight doesn't have to mean loss of reading. Torch aims to help people wherever they are on the sight loss journey. Often the first place is with giant print.
'It is wonderful to be able to read again,' a reader comments. 'I can hold a book once again and just read it without a magnifier - I call it a miracle. I am truly finding inspiration and depth in the library books.'
... to our transcribers also. Eleanor is one of the Daily Bible Reading Notes team. She writes:
'Every couple of months I spend two or three mornings shut in a small recording studio reading the Bible; not simply reading the Bible but reading out loud. Now, that's not something I manage to fit into my everyday life of running a family home. Having the discipline of needing to read the passages into the microphone clearly and accurately makes me read God's Word carefully and thoughtfully and it washes over my life. God has used these times so powerfully over the years and spoken into many of my life situations and also into those of friends and family. So it is indeed a privilege to have been asked to sit by myself in a small room and read the Bible out loud - quite amazing! I am sure that I am blessed as much as anyone who presses the button and listens to my voice.'
Torch transcribes a variety of items for events and church activities. For instance we have recently brailled the service for the Installation of the new bishop of Peterborough, a Bible study also in braille for a group leader, and several other studies enabling blind people to participate. However, blind people also want to join in topical debate ...
A Torch Library borrower writes of The Shack by William P Young:
'I am half way through the book and really enjoying it and am able to join in the conversation and comments about it with my church group.'
A Christian Today Digest magazine subscriber writes: 'I would feel very ignorant of what is going on if you didn't send me this magazine.'
What a joy to hear how Torch's work is inspiring people to encourage others.
A reader comments, 'I and my brother would like to say how wonderful it is to have access to all these wonderful books. It really is a blessing to be able to read these books, and for us, as visually impaired people to be able to pass on the knowledge and tell sighted people about authors and books.'
And another comments on Angels on the Walls by Wallace Brown in DAISY: 'This was a lovely book. I live in the middle of a council estate so it meant a lot to me. I am going to buy a copy for my Pastor.'
A Torch Times reader writes: 'This was so helpful. One of the articles was really helpful to me and I told others at my group about it.'
Spring Harvest is the largest Christian Conference in Europe, drawing up to 45,000 people at Easter to two locations over several weeks. Torch Trust provides the event with accessible song books, study guides and some recommended reading titles, as well as exhibiting on an annual basis. This year we had teams on each of the three weeks showcasing Torch at the venue at Butlins in Minehead, Somerset. We had over a hundred meaningful conversations and some of the stories are told here.
It all started with Brian asking a lady if she would like to take some information about Torch. Mary replied, 'I am so sorry. I didn't see you as I am blind in one eye.' And so started a conversation about all that Torch offers and Mary, who up to that point did not know of our existence, was thrilled!
Making a difference at exhibitions and events can have an immediate and life-changing effect for those with sight loss, churches which have visually impaired members of their congregation and those who work with blind and partially sighted people.
Mike was someone who comes in this latter category. Fred saw our stand earlier in the week and said, 'I'll send my brother over to see you. He works for a local blind association.' And so Mike came, unaware of Torch and not realising that we have a strong Torch Fellowship Group meeting in the town where he works and lives. It was a great time of enabling him to make a local connection with Torch and equipping him with literature and resources for use in his work. As Mike said, 'My colleague is an atheist and so anyone with church or Christian connections is sent my way!'
Not everyone with sight loss has reached the stage of being in touch with local blindness charities or of knowing that Torch exists 'to enable people with sight loss to discover Christian faith and lead fulfilling Christian lives'. Quite a number of people on the first stage of their sight loss journey came into contact with Torch at Spring Harvest.
Avril was one such lady, who is just starting to lose her sight to Macular Degeneration. In her early 60s, she had just been told by the medical profession that they can't do anything more to help her. Her time with us was full of questions, and even anger with God. But she left having benefited from the talk and was so glad to know that 'Torch is there for me' in providing accessible library materials.
As we were preparing to pack up at the end of one evening, a team of Spring Harvest stewards walked past and one of them, John, stopped in his tracks! The words 'sight loss' on our big display caught his eye. He had not heard of Torch before but has an interest in helping people with sight loss through recording for Shropshire Talking Newspapers. Although busy with his stewarding duties he gladly took literature to enable him to learn more of the work of Torch.
The following day we met Margery and Eric and had a good chat. They both attend an Anglican church and during the discussion they had a 'light bulb' moment when they realised that although they do the church notice sheet in large print there is so much more they could - and should - do for those with limited sight in their congregation. Previously unaware of Torch and our ministry they were excited to take information about our Foursight for the Church initiative in order that they could talk to others in their church about being more inclusive.
By the end of the last week we had seen Donald many times. He comes to Spring Harvest every year - to each of the three event weeks! A partially sighted young man from the West Midlands and a braille reader, he had known about Torch for many years. He had bought the full set of Spring Harvest materials in braille and had been blessed by the individual guiding, offered to him by Spring Harvest stewards. But in conversation we learnt that he takes almost all of his holidays at Butlins. The penny dropped - why not take a Torch holiday? Going down the list of this year's holidays the Ready for Action activity week caught his attention. Although committed to his holiday plans for 2010, he was determined to sign up for the event in 2011!
[Names have been changed]
What is it that makes the difference?
Cycling 32 km to give a braille library book?
Walking 10 km to meet a blind person to accompany them to a Fellowship Group meeting?
Sitting and reading a Bible passage to a blind person, who is unable to read for themselves?
Visiting a school for the Blind to tell the children about Torch and the materials that are available?
All these things and many more do make a difference in the life of a blind person and often are used in the economy of God to bring that person to faith in Jesus.
One blind man said recently that it was being befriended by a Christian while he was at school and far from home that spoke to his heart. Today he is a pastor of a thriving church and well respected by the community.
An example of full commitment is that of a sighted pastor, Musa Chimbalanga, a man in his 50s whose wife is not a Christian and who has a son suffering with epilepsy. He has a wonderful servant heart. It was challenging to see him walking many kilometres a day to support Mr Phiri, a blind man. He has done this since 1993. With the pastor's help, this blind man now works with the widows in his area, bringing them spiritual messages and encouragement.
Harry is 41 and became blind seven years ago, after which, many friends left him. He was given an audio Bible in his language, Chichewa. This has really helped him and now he has people coming to his house specifically to listen to his audio Bible. He says, 'My house was like a graveyard but now it has become alive again.'
What a difference this has made in his life.
[names are changed]
We want to thank everyone who responded to our article in the last issue about the braille embosser for Malawi. With the funding now complete, this has enabled us to progress the project, and we expect to ship equipment to Malawi in time for Michael Stafford's next visit in July when he will train the staff in its use.
Bill and Gail Guest from Leyland, Lancashire comment ...
We are a totally blind couple and in 2008 we moved from Surrey to Lancashire, where our daughter, son-in-law and two young grandchildren live.
It was, of course, quite a challenge for us moving to a completely new area. We both have guide dogs so received very good support from staff at the Guide Dogs organisation.
Once we had settled in and got our bearings, we started thinking about getting involved with local activities and meeting people. We have friends in other areas who attend Torch Fellowship Groups, so we found out about the local Group on the Torch website. We phoned Heather Cameron who is the leader of the Preston Group and were invited to the next meeting with transport provided!
We have been attending meetings ever since and have found people very welcoming and have enjoyed being part of the Group. We especially enjoy joining in with all the singing and have taken part in some meetings by reading Bible passages or items from the Newsletters and saying prayers. We have been invited to various activities at local churches and been to other Torch Groups when special events have taken place. We have also been very pleased to collect items for Janet Stafford to take out to Malawi.
We are both very pleased that we decided to contact Torch and will certainly continue our involvement.
A major full day conference from Churches for All and supported by Torch Trust on the theme of disability, wholeness and Christian theology. Speakers include Jonathan Lamb and Malcolm Duncan with video contribution from Joni Earekson-Tada.
When & Where: Thursday 7th October 2010 at Friends Meeting House, Euston, London. Tickets: £25 per person, with free entry for those accompanying disabled delegates.
To register visit www.premier.org.uk/enablingchurch or call 08456 525252 (choose Option 2). For A4 posters call Torch on 01858 438260 or download from the Torch website.
As I write these words the Trustees of Torch are preparing for their Annual General Meeting when the accounts and report for the financial year to 30th September are reviewed and approved.
And what a year it was! Donations were up significantly, probably in response to our 50 year anniversary - and yet legacy income fell sharply, partly as house prices were affected significantly by the credit crunch. Overall, income fell by 8% to £884,000.
Expenditure rose by 2.5% to £1,045,000, the increase being mainly due to our 50th year. We saw this as a great way to engage with churches and individuals through a major celebration event and Torch conference holiday here in Market Harborough and through our Foursight for the Church initiative which had a significant impact at several major Christian events and beyond.
The net effect was a deficit for the year of £161,000 after depreciation and although this depleted our cash, regular readers of this magazine will be aware that just after the year end we received the sale proceeds of our Bethany hospitality house which restored our reserves. The pay bill has also been reduced, partly through staff voluntarily helping with reduced hours of working.
Our budget for 2010 seeks to address this situation. We will not have the 50th anniversary costs and we will have full year savings for some of the cost reductions made during the course of 2009. Our finances are still challenging and as always we look to the Lord for guidance as we move forward.
If you would like a copy of our full report and accounts, these can be downloaded from our website. Alternatively, please contact Torch House for a copy. In order to save costs this is not a glossy publication, but the story told is still as exciting as we read of all that God has done through Torch.
If you would like to discuss any aspect of Torch's finances then please feel free to call me at Torch House – or e-mail andrewn@torchtrust.org
Andrew Nicholson
This year's thanksgiving will take place on Saturday 23rd October and we hope many of our supporters can be present. The format and venue will be finalised shortly and we will give full details on our website as soon as they are available - and also in the next issue of Torch Family News. We envisage meeting in Surrey in the M25/M23 area.
Mike Townsend writes:
I stood in the Garden Room of the House of Lords surrounded by lords and baronesses, MPs and other leaders of many kinds of organisations. We were celebrating. At that very moment the Equalities Bill was being passed in the chamber of the House of Commons. One particular amendment to the Bill will strengthen disabled people's right to receive information in an accessible format. This means, for example, that a blind person should receive an appointment letter from a GP or hospital in their preferred format.
Government Minister, Baroness Thornton, said, 'We are proud of this amendment. ... It is important that all kinds of organisations consider the information they provide to their audiences and what steps they may need to take to bring themselves into line with the duty.' This new legislation strengthens the Disability Discrimination Act requirements.
At Torch Trust we aim to enable churches and Christian organisations to meet their responsibilities. However, this is more than a duty. We know that it is the heart-beat of most people in churches to be 'open' to all. This includes making information available to blind and partially sighted people. Contact us and look at the website www.torch-foursight.org for more help.
We celebrate with Becky and Chris Gradden the birth of their son, Kieran, on 30th January. Becky works in Audio Transcription, and as an editor for Every Day With Jesus daily Bible readings and the Insight programme on Premier Radio.
Volunteering has been part of Torch right from the start and there are countless stories of people who have found that their time with Torch was an important part of their Christian journey.
Providing opportunities for volunteering is an important job in God's mission field. Bill Hybels in his book The Volunteer Revolution quotes a volunteer: 'Three years ago you challenged me to get involved as a volunteer. I was hesitant at first, but you wouldn't give up. Now I can't thank you enough. The meaning I derive, the sense of ownership I feel, the friendship I have built up, the spiritual growth I've experienced – it's all directly related to finding my niche in serving. I will be grateful to you for the rest of my life.'
Volunteering is therefore important both to individuals and to many organisations and it is important to Torch. As we go to press we are in the final stages of appointing a volunteer coordinator. Please pray that the person chosen will quickly settle in.
Office Team for all general enquiries, donations, literature sales: 01858 438260
Library Team for existing or new library borrowers: 01858 438266
Holidays for all holiday bookings and enquiries: 01273 832282
Prayer Phone items for prayer, updated fortnightly: 01858 438277
Insight Programme for responses to the Sunday Premier Radio broadcast: 01858 438267.