GUMCD Conference Report from Past President Candis Shannon
The UMCD 2005 Global United
Methodist Conference of the Deaf was a wonderful experience for me and I hope
for all who attended. New
information and perspectives expanded my mind. And we, as an organization, did
the same thing as we committed to creating a new and
truly global organization: the World Methodist Federation of the Deaf.
The conference began Thursday,
July 17th with a flag ceremony, followed by introductions and a welcome to all.
Then followed dinner and our opening worship.
The following days were filled with Bible study, worship and workshops
during which deaf ministries in various countries around the world were
discussed.
People attended from Korea, Japan,
Kenya, Guam, Zimbabwe and many other countries and of course, the United States.
The presentations were inspiring. The presenter would stand on the stage.
For example, if the presenter was signing in American Sign Langauge,
standing next to the presenter would be the Korean and Japanese interpreters.
Sitting on the stage were the Kenyan and Zimbabwean interpreters.
Voice interpreters faced the stage.
Additional American Sign Language interpreters could be found throughout
the audience. Computer-assisted real-time
text translation put the words being shared up on a screen for all to read, and
an FM system allowed hard of hearing people the ability to hear clearly.
Saturday night at the conference was a major highlight. Bishop Schol spoke on
greatness, sharing anecdotes and urging us to maintain focus on three things to
achieve true greatness: to surrender, work for strong character formation and to
pursue something greater than ourselves.
After Bishop Schol’s
presentation, the Korean signers/dancers gave a dramatic performance on Christ's
life, death and resurrection. Their professional performance was thrilling to
watch, feel and experience.
So many new signs learned! Different countries, different cultures coming
together to share. I loved dinner as we had a chance to really learn face
to face from each other.
At the UMCD General membership meeting on Saturday afternoon, the new ByLaws
were passed and new officers elected: Dan Kenyon, President, Rev. Joo Hai Kang,
Vice-President, Pat Lancet, Secretary, Tom Hudspeth, Treasurer. Committee Chairs
will continue on as Committee Chairs, but will no longer be officers. And, Rev.
Nam from
Korea
will head up a new Planning Committee to help make the World Method Federation
of the Deaf a reality.
Jurisdictional Presidents are David Ennis, Northeast Jurisdiction, Debbie
Bennett, Southeast Jurisdiction, Curt Keller, North Central Juridsiction, Julie
Howard, South Central Jurisdiction, Elke Sharma, Western Jurisdiction and Amos
Muyambo, Central Conference President (International Representative).
Many thanks to Wineva Hankamer, Past SEJ President, Marian Aiken, past Western
Jurisdiction President, and Lisa Harvey, who stepped down as our Secretary. They
all promised to continue to serve and help as we have much to do.
David Ennis was an awesome MC during the event. That is such a hard job and he
made it look easy. Many thanks to Carol Stevens and Michelle Menefee and all of
the interpreters…..wonderful. There were interpreters every where you looked.
Rev.Jason Hays handled the technology so smoothly! People using the FM System
were saying that the sound system was so good they could practically use the
sound system by itself. The CAN and CART operators were
fantastic. It was so smooth that we could forget about the communication access
and focus on what was being shared.
Rev. Peggy Johnson and the members of the NEJ Planning Committee, the members of
UM Magothy and
Christ
Church
of the Deaf…..thank you. There
are so many people to thank I can’t name them all here, but your hard work was
appreciated.
Our next conference in 2007 will
be in
Orlando
,
Florida
and in 2009….let’s go to
Korea
!
2007 UMCD will be in
Orlando
,
Florida
and 2009.....let's go to
Korea
!
Candis
Shannon, Past UMCD President
