Torch Tales 07: Heather Williams and Daphne Johnson
While we wait for a new co-host to join the Insights team, Linn sits down with her colleague Becky Davies. In addition to being the Sight Loss Friendly Church co-ordinator, Becky is also responsible for planning and delivering Torch’s holiday offering, Torch Together. We find out more about this aspect of Torch’s ministry, how it has gone so far this year and what to look forward to in 2023.
To contact the Sight Loss Friendly Church team at Torch Trust, call 01858 438260, email slfc@torchtrust.org or visit torchtrust.org/sight-loss-friendly-church.
Following Matthew’s conversation at the Methodist Conference, he sits down with Linn to compare both of their experiences of children’s ministry. They share how this aspect of church life could have been made better for them and reflect on what they would have done differently if they knew then what they know now.
To contact the Sight Loss Friendly Church team at Torch Trust, call 01858 438260, email slfc@torchtrust.org or visit torchtrust.org/sight-loss-friendly-church.
On 27 June 2022, Becky Davies, Sight Loss Friendly Church Coordinator, interviewed Matthew Horspool about growing up as a blind person and his Christian faith. The event was held in front of a live audience as a fringe event at the Methodist Conference in Telford, and recorded for this podcast.
In part 2, we hear questions from the audience. Matthew talks about Sunday school, why he doesn’t own a guide dog, and what advice he would give to church leaders encountering a person with sight loss for the first time.
To contact the Sight Loss Friendly Church team at Torch Trust, call 01858 438260, email slfc@torchtrust.org or visit torchtrust.org/sight-loss-friendly-church.
On 27 June 2022, Becky Davies, Sight Loss Friendly Church Coordinator, interviewed Matthew Horspool about growing up as a blind person and his Christian faith. The event was held in front of a live audience as a fringe event at the Methodist Conference in Telford, and recorded for this podcast.
In part 1, Matthew talks about school, early memories of church and the valuable part that music plays in his Christian faith.
To contact the Sight Loss Friendly Church team at Torch Trust, call 01858 438260, email slfc@torchtrust.org or visit torchtrust.org/sight-loss-friendly-church.
The word “blind” has many conotations. The Biblical meaning is not nnecessarily the same as the cultural meaning, and some people may not respond well emotionally to being referred to as “blind”. However, this is not the case for everyone, and in many cases, “blind” is the best description. Join us this week as we reflect on this topic.
To contact the Sight Loss Friendly Church team at Torch Trust, call 01858 438260, email slfc@torchtrust.org or visit torchtrust.org/sight-loss-friendly-church.
How do I get there? Can I introduce myself to anyone? What will the hymns be? What will the service order be? How will I find my way around the building? How will I get home afterwards?
These are all questions that a blind or partially sighted person might ask when thinking about attending a new church. Some of them are for the person to answer. In other cases, the church may be able to help. This episode discusses these issues in more detail.
To contact the Sight Loss Friendly Church team at Torch Trust, call 01858 438260, email slfc@torchtrust.org or visit torchtrust.org/sight-loss-friendly-church.
Matthew and Linn both sing. Other blind and partially sighted people may play instruments. This is a wonderful way in which people with sight loss can contribute to the worshipping life of the church. This episode shares some personal experiences of doing this and some tips on how churches can integrate blind and partially sighted musicians.
To contact the Sight Loss Friendly Church team at Torch Trust, call 01858 438260, email slfc@torchtrust.org or visit torchtrust.org/sight-loss-friendly-church.
With the use of screen readers and magnification software, they can! They can also use smartphones, tablets and smart speakers. We explain all of this in this episode.
To contact the Sight Loss Friendly Church team at Torch Trust, call 01858 438260, email slfc@torchtrust.org or visit torchtrust.org/sight-loss-friendly-church.