vital link
The Newsletter for Through the Roof
Our 300th
Roofbreaker
A Unique
Voice In
Lockdown
By Fiona Gosden
– Deputy Church Inclusion Coordinator
Fiona with her government food parcel,
before delivery slots were available
Learning from
Lockdown
First
Impressions
Mozambique
Meet-Up
Some of you might have seen the widely
viewed video I shared at the start of
lockdown, which was a response to God
prompting me that disabled people have a
unique voice to share with the church during
this ‘new normal’ season. When God has a
message to share, it is important to get it out
there! This message had a big reach on social
media and through Christian radio stations,
which was a great encouragement to me,
and to every Roofbreaker, because we believe
disabled people are a unique gift to the
church because of our lived experience with
a disability.
Right now, I am ‘shielding’ because I
am undergoing medical treatment that
compromises my immune system. It’s
become clear to me that the isolation
everyone is experiencing has been an
equaliser between non-disabled and disabled
people. Lockdown has put everybody in the
same situation, where challenging restrictions
on our opportunities, working environment,
access to transport, socialising, access to food
and pace of life have all been the norm.
I have found shielding challenging! I’ve
had to accept a new way of life, and I miss
meeting family and friends, swimming and
physically going to church. However I know
that this ‘new normal’ might have been more
manageable for me because I’m experienced
in having limited choices and opportunities
in life, as well as accepting that I can’t keep up
with the pace of non-disabled people my age
(30). Do you know someone who is disabled,
who has felt that nothing much has changed
for them during this time of isolation?
As the country adjusts the rules on lockdown,
and our churches might be talking about
returning to meet physically in a ‘COVID-19
secure environment’, we must consider
those who cannot physically access
church regardless of the virus. I believe
that during lockdown, churches have had
space to experience a life without access to
worshipping together, fellowship and
serving in the way they would usually choose.
Of course, church is still church when meeting
online, and we have heard from disabled
people who have been able to access
church meetings, small groups, and other
offerings for the first time since their church
has moved online. We want to celebrate
these breakthroughs in inclusion. I think we
do need to be careful however, that when
churches begin meeting again physically—
whenever and however that might be—
disabled people will not be suggested to
join online church as the sole alternative to
attending church.
You can find Fiona’s video, and all the other
videos or websites mentioned in this issue, at
www.throughtheroof.org/summer2020
No: No: 60 Summer 78 SUMMER 20142020
www.throughtheroof.org