Ministry among deaf people
Support, worship, fellowship and mission among deaf people in Wakefield Diocese.
The main aim of ministry among deaf people is to provide opportunities for worship, the occasional and special services (such as baptisms, weddings and funerals), pastoral care, nurture in faith, mission, and the fostering of vocations among the deaf community.
British Sign Language in Christian Settings Event
Saturday 9 February 2013, 10.00am - 4.00pm at St Peter's Church, Gildersome LS27 7A4. A one day workshop open to people with any level of sign language or none. Cost £15. Download a poster. More information and on-line booking.
Click here for details of services.
The deaf community is defined as people for whom British Sign Language (BSL) is their first or preferred language.Holy Communion, baptisms, weddings and funerals
An important aspect of this provision for deaf people involves support for, and the leading of, various services and Christian fellowship opportunities. For further information about Holy Communion, baptism, weddings and funeral, click here.
Support from the Chaplaincy team
The Chaplain and his team will visit deaf people in their homes, or in hospital, and they can provide home communion, if required. They will also visit deaf children and young people in schools and colleges, and deaf people in prison.
Regular information
Together with Bradford and Ripon and Leeds dioceses a newsletter - 3 in 1 - is published three times a year in March, July and November. Please contact the Chaplain if you would like to be placed on the mailing list for 3 in 1 (contact details below). Members also receive copies of Signs, the magazine of the NDCC, twice a year.
Click here for the latest issue of 3 in 1.
Support and advice
For hearing-impaired or hard of hearing people who do not use sign language a support and advisory service is provided, to them and to clergy and church members. This is offered to improve access, and further the inclusion of deaf and hard of hearing people in mainstream churches, especially with respect to the Disability Discrimination Act. Some hard of hearing people attend the sign language services, where they are made very welcome, and every effort is made to include them.
Awareness
The Chaplain and his team are committed to partnership between deaf and hearing people in the Church, and are continually exploring ways for deaf and hearing people to meet together.
- Invitations that promote awareness of the needs and abilities of deaf and hearing-impaired people are welcomed.
- Attending parish churches at their main Sunday services, to preach, to celebrate the Eucharist in sign language, or to provide other input, like drama
- To arrange awareness sessions or workshops for various groups, like Deanery Chapters, Continuing Ministerial Education (CME), Readers and Ordained Local Ministers (OLMs) in training, and Hospital Chaplaincy volunteers.
For further information about any of the above, and for inclusion in our mailing list, contact the Minsters in the Deaf Community:
Revd Bob Shrine, 7 Russell Hall Lane, Queensbury, Bradford BD13 2AJ. bob.shrine@btinternet.com Fax 01274 889006 SMS 07721 655161
Revd Rachel Wilson, The Vicarage, Old Pool Bank, Pool in Wharfedale, Otley LS21 1EJ.
revrachel.wilson@gmail.com 0113 2843706.
Useful links:
Catholic Deaf Association
Christian Deaf Link UK
Deafchurch web site
Signs of God (sign language)