Christian ministry depends on an ability to communicate. The preferred language of most profoundly deaf people is British Sign Language. Deaf-blind people use a manual system and hard of hearing and deafened people often rely on lip-reading and cued speech.
The diocese provides a specialist half-time Chaplain who offers a ministry to profoundly deaf / hard of hearing / deafened / deaf-blind people. The ministry extends from Malvern to Dudley, Worcester to Redditch and comes under the Diocesan Department for Ministry, Training and Discipleship.
In practice, the work of the Chaplain tends to focus on those who are profoundly deaf and use Sign Language as their first or preferred language.
The Chaplain is usually available to:
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Conduct public worship appropriate for deaf people |
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Offer general pastoral care to deaf people |
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Conduct weddings / baptisms / funerals or communicate at these ceremonies and in other church situations as appropriate |
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Provide for the development of the spiritual life in deaf people |
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Advise the hearing church about the needs of deaf and hard of hearing people and to assist the hearing churches in the diocese to be more aware of issues relating to deafness |
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Preach in hearing churches about the work of the Church with deaf people or to speak about deaf awareness at church and secular meetings |
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Discern vocations among deaf people for lay or ordained Ministry and to enable others, both deaf and hearing, to share in ministering to deaf people |
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Deaf people are encouraged to take as full a part as possible in the work of the wider Church. This link has achieved some integration and understanding of the gifts deaf people may bring to the life of the whole Church, as well as their special needs. Deaf people contribute to the life of the Church through 'Deaf Anglicans Together'. The General Synod "Committee for Ministry among Deaf and Disabled People" monitors the work of Chaplains and organises the training of clergy and lay people for ministry with deaf people. Its secretary is the Revd
Philip Maddock who is based at Church House in Westminster.
There is currently a service for those who are hard of hearing on the second Sunday in every other month at 3pm at St Mark's Church, Orchard Street, Worcester. Other signed services have been suspended until a new Chaplain is appointed.
The post of Chaplain to those who are deaf and hard of hearing is currently vacant.
However, during the vacancy Paul Harrison, the former Chaplain, is prepared to help with any urgent matters and may be contacted via Type/Talk tel:01562- 700144.
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