| A Spiritual Connection for the Deaf |
The Deaf Ministry began as new focus ministry group at Lovers Lane in 2001, a special ministry that has become a means of grace for Deaf, hard of hearing and hearing people in our community. |
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| Rev. Tom Hudspeth and Trevor Swearingen prepare to serve the first Communion from the newly dedicated Deaf Fellowship Altar Table, Easter, April 12, 2009 |
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| At Lovers Lane, we are committed to helping those who seek the fellowship of a church family and weekly worship, yet feel separated from traditional services because of their communication needs. |
| If you are responding to God's grace in seeking a Christian community that expresses God's Word in American Sign Language, our Deaf ministry offers you a warm welcome. |
| To learn more about United Methodist ministry with those who are Deaf, Hard of hearing, Deafened, or Deaf-Blind, go to http://www.umcsignsofsolidarity.org/. |
| The Deaf Ministry Altar (shown above) will be dedicated on Easter Sunday, April 12, 2009. Pictured with the unfinished altar are Caitlyn, Karen, Trevor Swearingen, Rev. Tom Hudspeth, and Paul Swearingen. The altar is an Eagle Scout Project and a gift to the Deaf Ministry by Trevor. |
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Reverend Tom Hudspeth, D.Min leads this ministry group in study, worship, and outreach activities. Reverend Hudspeth has received his Doctor of Ministry from Wesley Theological Seminary for his project, "American Sign Language as a Means of Grace." |
| We welcome you to visit us any Sunday for a worship service and class. You can also contact Reverend Tom Hudspeth by email to learn more about the activities of this dedicated ministry group at Lovers Lane.
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| Lovers Lane has a Videophone, 214-265-0496, that you may use to
contact Reverend Hudspeth. |
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| SUNDAY WORSHIP WITH ASL INTERPRETATION |
| 9:30 am Traditional Service in the Sanctuary |
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Every Sunday, there are two sign language interpreters at the 9:30am traditional morning service. We are blessed with a team of talented and committed interpreters:
- Sue Harper and Melinda Powell (volunteer music signers)
- Andrea Raye (certified)
- Elizabeth Spitzer (certified)
- Charlotte Winters (certified), who began our interpreted services in 2000.
These signers and interpreters enjoy expressing the worship service through their artful and animated signing. For the best view of the interpreters, come down to the front pews near the pulpit. Family, friends, and students who are learning ASL are welcome! Also unique in this service is that once a month, our Deaf members help serve Holy Communion, and our Sign Choir offers special music in sign language. |
| 11am – Traditional Service - Live Captioning |
| Every Sunday, we offer captioned services to benefit those who are hard of hearing and those whose second language is English. We have a television monitor set on the north side of the sanctuary for viewing the spoken and sung word in captions. This voice-based caption system was purchased by grants from the United Methodist Committee on Ministries with Deaf, Hard of Hearing and Deaf-Blind People, and the Arnold Fund of the Lovers Lane Foundation. Providing this service is Key Largo, director of Caption Ministries.
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| Sunday Classes |
11 am ASL Bible Teaching Service: Cross-Heart-Hands – Asbury Hall, room 102
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 | Following the 9:30am worship service, Deaf visitors, members, and their hearing family and friends, gather at Asbury Hall, room 102 for fellowship and Bible study, led by Rev. Hudspeth. This class communicates in ASL, and is interpreted in voice. |
The Cross-Heart-Hands class began on July 26, 2001, and is growing in attendance, age diversity, and faith. On October 12, 2008, the class moved to a larger room and new format that includes ASL poetry, song, prayer, life celebrations and discussion and study of the Bible. |
| Over the past few years, we have had special guests who have shared their experiences, such as: life in Palestine and Israel; Kenyan culture and history; Ministry in Nigeria; Deaf church and culture in Baltimore, Maryland; Deaf life in Armenia; Miss Deaf Texas; Sailing solo around the world; and, translating the Bible in sign languages. |
| A unique part of our class is our Deaf teens and young adults. We have taken several mission and outreach trips over the years. |
| During the summers of 2006, 2007 and 2008, a Deaf team did construction work, vacation Bible School, and community outreach at the Mexico Christian Center for the Deaf in Rio Bravo, Mexico. |
During the summer of 2005 and 2006, we went to Tegucigalpa, Honduras to serve at New Life Deaf Ministry and Happy Hands Christian School for the Deaf. |
During the summer of 2003 and 2004, we visited a Deaf Mission in Quito, Ecuador. |
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| Sign Choir |
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Lovers Lane Sign Choir signing "The Lord is my Light" at the
11 am worship, June 27, 2004.
Special guest, Amos Muyambo, (just left of center), is a
Deaf minister from Zimbabwe and student pastor from Africa University. |
| The Sign Choir at Lovers Lane had its first appearance during the Brush Arbor revival services in August 2001. This choir signs once a month at the traditional worship services as well as for special worship services. Both Deaf and hearing people are welcome to participate in the choir. Rehearsal is on Wednesday evenings from 6:30pm to 7:45pm in Choir Room #2 below the Sanctuary. If you are feeling led to participate in this ministry please contact Rev. Dr. Tom Hudspeth and he will put you in touch with the director of the choir, Melinda Powell. |
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| Sign Choir Rehearsal |
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| Deaf Ministry in the Community |
| Our Deaf ministry group also participates in community events, outreach opportunities, and special meetings for the Deaf. For more information about upcoming events, watch Lovers Lane Alive or the Outreach Calendar. |
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| Volunteer in the Deaf Ministry and Learn ASL |
| If you are interested in learning American Sign Language (ASL), you are welcome to join our ASL classes at Lovers Lane. These classes meet several times during the year. You can also contact Reverend Tom Hudspeth to place your name on the list for the next class. |
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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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