Sign Language (Deaf) Ministry

[Salsa_1960]

Do any of you have a sign language ministry for the deaf in your churches?

 

[JeffreyLloyd]

Our parish does. I did it for a while at my old Baptist church.

 

[Salsa_1960]

When I lived in Keokuk, Iowa, we had a regular member who was deaf and a couple others who attended occasionally who were deaf as well too. I would sit up front as well and though I am not proficient, I am pretty good at sign language. I even interpreted two times. I could only express the main idea of the sermon though since I'm slow at it....but I was only a fill in for the interpreter while she was gone.

I would sing up front with them each week. Now, at my current church, I sign during worship songs. The slow ones. (Not fast hymns). Songs like "Thou Art Worthy O Lord" and "Holy Holy Holy." There are no deaf members. It's just pretty and I think the signing adds to the meaning of the song. It is also an indirect invitation for the deaf to come and worship at our church.

Last week, though, I played guitar-- so I didn't sign. A friend suggested I play with my hands and sign with my feet (or vice versa). LOL.

~Sandy

 

[RED that's ME]

We have a Deaf ministry at my church. The Deaf have their own SS class and Deaf choir. They join the hearing in the preaching services for interpreted services. My mom is a professional Interpreter. You talked about your guitar and signing my mom has actually played either the piano or organ at church during the music time and then went and interpreted the sermon. I know a good amount of signs but I am not proficient enough to do the sermon. I have signed songs in church.

 

[Sign Of The Fish Burger]

Our church has a huge deaf ministry!! its super cool!!

 

[JOYfulbeliever]

My church has one - it has grown quite a bit over the last few years. We started with 1 deaf person!!!!

We actually have a deaf visitation as well. There aren't many churches around here who really take the time to minister to the deaf. It's amazing how welcoming and appreciative they are that someone actually took the time to learn THEIR language to communicate with THEM. It is one ministry that I am SO glad I got involved in. It's been more of a blessing to me, I think, than it has to them!

 

[Salsa_1960]

Our parish does. I did it for a while at my old Baptist church.

We have a Deaf ministry at my church. The Deaf have their own SS class and Deaf choir. They join the hearing in the preaching services for interpreted services. My mom is a professional Interpreter. You talked about your guitar and signing my mom has actually played either the piano or organ at church during the music time and then went and interpreted the sermon. I know a good amount of signs but I am not proficient enough to do the sermon. I have signed songs in church.

My church has one - it has grown quite a bit over the last few years. We started with 1 deaf person!!!!

We actually have a deaf visitation as well. There aren't many churches around here who really take the time to minister to the deaf. It's amazing how welcoming and appreciative they are that someone actually took the time to learn THEIR language to communicate with THEM. It is one ministry that I am SO glad I got involved in. It's been more of a blessing to me, I think, than it has to them!

Jeffrey, Redgoddess & JOYfulbeliever, Do any of you have the book, "The Joy of Signing?"

 

[JOYfulbeliever]

I have it

 

[JOYfulbeliever]

eh...I take that back. I *own* it, but my sister stole it and has it with her at college at the moment!

 

[JOYfulbeliever]

BTW - if you are looking for an "online ASL dictionary", this site is really great - it has a LOT of words and actually shows the sign being done instead of describing it in words and pictures. It's been very helpful to me on certain occasions! http://commtechlab.msu.edu/sites/aslweb/browser.htm

 

[Debbi]

I know alot of sign language, I took a course in college. There are some teenagers at our church that sign some songs but I can tell that some of the signs are out of context or not right. I have the book "The Joy of Signing" along with other sign language books. One kid does what is what some people thinks is sign language but is just acting. If a deaf person saw it they wouldn't know what she was doing. I sign at church before 6 verses of Amazing Grace.