Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gifts each of you has received.
— 1 Peter 4:7-11
Resource Archive: Newsletter Archives
|
— 1 Peter 4:7-11 Resource Archive: Newsletter Archives |
|
Who would benefit from this issue? Pastors, church ministry coordinators, and worship, hospitality, and property/building teams.
A- Read: 1 Peter 4:7-11
My soon-to-be-twenty-year-old daughter is a vegetarian. She's been one since she came to the dinner table at about age ten and declared that, because of her love for animals, she simply wasn't eating meat again. Ever. And, she hasn't. However, over the years she has learned just how hard it is to stick by her decision. Most restaurants have few, if any, vegetarian dishes. When we attend church dinners, we need to take our own food for her as there is rarely anything that she can eat there, other than mashed potatoes and bread. Seeing her struggle with inclusion at meals, even in church, has opened my eyes to how I need to work on being more open and welcoming to people with differing dietary needs. When we invite guests into our home, I now try to remember to ask them if they have any specific needs -- dietary or otherwise. I want them to feel comfortable and welcome. First Peter 4:10 asks us to be "good stewards of the manifold grace of God," so that we might serve one another out of love and compassion. It is that love and compassion that drives us to want to offer our very best hospitality to all people, whether they be guests in our homes or in our congregations. When we do so, we honor one another and truly glorify God. God, help me truly be welcoming and hospitable to all people. Amen. Copyright © 2007 Susan M. Lang
2- Blunders and Blessings
of Sign Language in the Church Last week, my minister asked the congregation to tell God that he made us vomit. That's what the gesture suggested for use with the word "Praise" in a unison prayer meant and those of us who knew Sign Language struggled not to laugh aloud. Another time, I watched a preacher who kept repeating a gesture the entire time he was speaking. It described a body part not usually mentioned publicly. It was so distracting I have no idea what else he said. Those blunders were accidental and wouldn't matter if nobody in the congregation knew Sign Language. But even when a church is intentionally seeking to minister to people who can't hear, there can be blunders. There are different groups of people who need signing, and there are several kinds of signing. Reaching more than one group at once can be difficult. Deaf people have their own community and culture. These Deaf people (as with other cultural groups, we dignify them and their language by using capital letters) don't consider themselves disabled, so saying we feel sorry for them is one of the greatest insults we can give. They use a form of Sign Language with grammar and syntax entirely different from that of their country's spoken language (which most of them have never heard). In the U.S., they use American Sign Language or ASL. Until about 40 years ago many of them were discouraged and even punished for using Sign Language in school. As a result Deaf people tend to be possessive about their language and are likely to be offended by the use of it as an art form for hearing people. Not respecting their culture is a big blunder. People who become deaf (with a lower case d) after learning to speak are quite different. While some of them choose to become members of the Deaf community, others try to stay in the hearing world, and consider their deafness a disability. Culturally, Deaf people might refer to them as "hard of hearing," since both are likely to use speech reading, and need to see a speaker's face clearly in order to understand him or her. They continue to think in English, or whatever language they used before losing their hearing and, if they do learn Sign Language, often prefer one of several pidgin versions that use the same grammar and syntax as their native tongue. Even hearing people can be blessed by a Sign Language ministry in several ways. Those who can't speak clearly may use it to communicate. Visual learners may find that Sign Language helps them focus during worship services. People learning English may find it helps them to understand the language better. Families with hearing-impaired or Deaf members can worship together. Children and young people can become familiar with a second language and with people who are not just like themselves. And the beauty of songs and hymns in Sign Language can be an inspiration to anyone who sees them. In a church where
I interpreted for many years, several older members told me they had gradually
became hard of hearing and discovered they had already learned a lot of
Signs just by watching us over the years. They appreciated being able
to follow the service that way and, unlike many, didn't find their hearing
loss embarrassing. In addition, two young people who had grown up in that
church each had children of their own with impaired hearing, one from
birth and the other as the result of illness in early childhood. Unlike
most parents who are traumatized when they learn their children have a
disability and don't know how to cope, these parents simply started signing
to their kids right away, giving the children a great developmental advantage. It's necessary for anyone who wants to start interpreting to have relationships with Deaf people in their local comunity, at least two of whom agree to attend church every week. If they're happy with the church, news of the ministry will spread by word of mouth...or rather hand. Deaf people raised in residential schools and sent to weekly religious programs of denominations chosen by parents they rarely saw may feel that they graduated from religion when they left school, but even some who are not especially interested in church may start coming for a chance to meet with their peers. Mentioning in the church's normal publicity that services are interpreted in Sign Language may bring in others with a hearing loss and some people just interested in Sign Language. If people attending a church are to feel like part of the congregation, others must welcome them. Perhaps an interpreter might be willing to teach a very basic Sign Language class to those willing to learn it, and some members could be encouraged to take classes in the language if any are offered at a nearby college or adult education program. Smiles, notes, gestures, and body language from people who don't know Sign Language can communicate a lot. But, don't worry. If Deaf, deaf and hearing-impaired people are welcomed into the Family of God, even an accidental blunder will be forgiven. Copyright © 2007 Janet Ann Collins
Large print hymnals, bulletins, and other written material are helpful for people with impaired vision. These can be available at the entrance to the sanctuary for those who need them. Cushions or pillows may help those with back pain. These can be kept at the door, too. Buying assistive listening devices or installing an electromagnetic loop in the sanctuary can be a great help to people who use hearing aids. Churches should avoid
fragrances as much as possible for the sake of people with allergies,
asthma, and multiple chemical sensitivities. A few times a year, churches
can remind parishioners not to wear perfume. Scented cleaning supplies
should not be used before an influx of people will be in the area, and
if incense will be used, people who might be endangered by it should be
warned in advance. A good ventilation system helps, too. Defibrillators can be purchased, and people trained to use them in case of anaphylactic shock, heart attacks, or other life threatening emergencies. Older churches with sanctuaries that are not wheelchair accessible, and can't be made so, may find a room that is accessible and show the service there on a TV set with a live video link to the sanctuary. Volunteers can help in many ways. Providing respite care allows care givers to have an occasional badly needed break. In some areas, volunteers may be needed to give people a ride to church or provide meals for shut-ins. Youth groups might do yard-or housework every month or so for those who can’t do their own. Perhaps others in the church might pay them for doing it, so the kids can raise funds for a special purpose. People with disabilities are people first of all and should be treated like anyone else. Holding a disability awareness day or putting information about various disabilities in church newsletters can help a congregation to understand them better. Helpful Online Resources:
The front door swings open, and a stranger stands on the threshold. If you are on the outside looking in, your heart may race with nervous anticipation. If you are on the inside looking out, you should open your arms in greeting. Fellowship and hospitality are hallmarks for a small-group meeting. Hospitality means a generous and cordial welcome. Small groups need to provide an atmosphere conducive to new friendships and sharing. A host does not need to be the group leader. Often the leader is too caught up in the message or lesson to make sure everyone is at ease; rather "host" should apply to all familiar with one another. Each host should be aware of people on the periphery who might need a nudge to join the group. Make eye contact when you talk to them, and listen when they speak. In today's rushed society, listening is a lost art. A newcomer may show hesitancy to share, but give him or her an opportunity. It is awkward to be among small numbers and have no clue what to do. To decrease this feeling, pair a new person with a buddy who will stick close, perform introductions, and guide the newcomer through the meeting. Sharing ourselves, our time, and our hearts is a true measure of a hospitable spirit meant to strengthen and encourage one another. Jesus spoke of hospitality in Matthew 25:37-40 (NLT) "Then these righteous ones will reply, 'Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?' _____"And the King will say, 'I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!" Hospitality is much more than a plate of brownies and a clean house. It is warmth, caring, and a Christ-like attitude. Copyright
© 2006 Eileen Key
A - Recent RevWriter Sightings:
B - What's New?
C - Still Available:
Financial Contributions Welcomed Due to the addition of new charges at my e-zine delivery system, this year it will cost me over $400 to produce and manage The RevWriter Resource. Writers of devotions and main articles have always been, and will continue to be, paid. In the past, this has come out of my personal writing income, but as this ministry continues to grow, the cost to me will also continue to increase. In the effort to maintain the ministry provided through the publication of The RevWriter Resource without requiring a subscriber's fee, I am now welcoming contributions from subscribers.
Most importantly, I appreciate your prayers as this ministry continues to grow during its fifth year in publication. Sue
About the author: RevWriter, Rev. Susan M. Lang, is an interim pastor and writer, residing in Pennsylvania. She is also the author of the Augsburg Fortress Congregational LEADER Series book entitled, OUR COMMUNITY: Dealing with Conflict in Our Congregation. Revwriter Susan M.
Lang http://www.revwriter.com & http://www.suelang.com
|
 |
|
©
Copyright
2007 revwriter.com - Susan M. Lang - All Rights Reserved
|