| Bringing the Good News to the Deaf |
| The Deaf Ministry at Begins in 2000 at Lovers Lane United Methodist Church |
| Beautiful things happen when people of faith dive into the Word, contemplate their adherence to principles and act on urgings from the Spirit. That's what happened to the Real Life Christians Sunday School Class. While studying the Bible and looking at the United Methodist Social Principles, the class found themselves talking about the importance of reaching out and ministering to people with disabilities. The discussion hit home fast as one class member, Kelly Van Horne, is legally deaf. |
| We talked about questions such as "What are we doing to help the Deaf in our community?" and, "How can we better address a need and an opportunity for worship for for the Deaf?" As the class developed a better understanding of the social principle, they felt accountable. The Real Life Christians class members were moved to find a sign-language interpreter. Discussions may prompt dreams, but action materializes dreams. |
| The
Real Life Christians class visited Dr. Copeland and, with his encouragement,
they set out to investigate the possibility. |
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| God works in mysterious ways! |
| After searching the obvious paths unsuccessfully, Sara Burton found a gem in the gifts of Charlotte Winters. Charlotte had been"signing" in American Sign Language for 10 years. Her story is one of having faith and responding to God's plan. |
| About three years ago, a seed was planted by one of Charlotte's deaf friends at church who believed she was a gifted signer and should learn to interpret. Initially Charlotte was reluctant due to lack of confidence but as she shares, "...you don't always know what God has in store for us. He doesn't always call us to do what we think we can do. He may be calling us to use new gifts." And with that in mind Charlotte prayed for guidance. She believed the Spirit was leading her to interpret and sign for a church. Charlotte firmly believes, "The message you receive at church-the message of salvation-is THE most important message one can hear". |
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| Charlotte Winters Comes to Lovers Lane to Interpret in ASL |
| Charlotte transitioned from the world of a Senior Accounting Analyst to that of a full time student of signing, deaf culture and interpreting. She completed the Apprentice Program at Collin County Community College, and was on the Presidents list. Husband, Robert is a minister at Friendship West Baptist Church, and they have two daughters. We are told that there are roughly 69,000 deaf in the metroplex - but Charlotte reminds us that "the soul of every ONE person is important to God." |
| Charlotte Winters began sign language interpreting the 10:30 service on January 16, 2000. Since then, Kathy Peacock has joined her in interpreting the Sunday service, and they have been our vital connection to the Deaf community in worship ever since. |
| Joni Eareckson Tada * says," When we reach beyond our comfort zones and embrace the unlikely, we are blessed by the realization that we are all richer when we recognize our poverty, we are strong when we see our weaknesses, and we are recipients of God's grace when we understand our desperate need of Him." |
| How many prayers have been answered by this new ministry? Our loving God knows! |
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| *Joni Eareckson Tada broke her neck in a diving accident, leaving her a quadriplegic. She is a tremendous witness, author and advocate of Christian ministry in the disability community. Find Joni at www.joniandfriends.org. |
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If you are interested in learning more about the Deaf Ministry, contact Reverend Tom Hudspeth at 214-256-0496 (Videophone) or contact him by email at thudspeth@llumc.org. |
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