Signs of Change 
                                       The United Methodist
                                       Congress of the Deaf
                                               Newsletter

                             Greetings from                                                                         Fall 2007                               
                          Dan Kenyon

“Start planning now for our 2009 UMCD Global Gathering in   Korea!”

Hi Everyone!  About 40 - 45 people attended our UMCD conference July 19 -22, 2007 in Orlando, FL. We all had a wonderful time! We enjoyed Paul Jones sharing devotions, worships and his testimonials. Paul emphasized that we should be communicating and talking with God each and every day -- God wants us to talk with Him, He wants us to let Him know of our needs, and He wants us to ask Him for guidance. 
    There were 3 workshops presented during our 2007 UMCD Conference. Rev. Wineva presented a fund-raising workshop on "Fun Raising on Fund-Raising (more on this below), Dan Kenyon presented a workshop on Lay Leadership, and Rev. Joo Kang shared with us about the retreat center near Seoul, Korea where our 2009 UMCD Conference will be held. (See separate article in this newsletter.)
     We also held a singing signing songs contest. There were 5 individuals and group contestants. The songs they signed were magnificent, and enjoyed by all. First place - $150 winner was Maria Jones of Orlando, FL, second place $120 winners were 3 members of Christ Church of the Deaf, Lasander Saunders, Charlotte Shears and Ellsworth Bouyer of Baltimore, MD. Third place $100 winners were tied between Paul Jones of Orlando, FL and Ishmael Katema of Mutare, Zimbabwe - each won $50.
    UMCD celebrated its 30 years anniversary. UMCD was founded in July 1977 at Trinity College in Washington, DC. Different people shared the history of UMCD. Thanks to the Orlando, FL planning group for providing UMCD a 30-year anniversary cake. 
    During free time, UMCD attendees visited the Disney Village, did some shopping, and/or relaxed in the pool at the hotel. 
    Future UMCD gatherings will be different. We will have at least 4 days of testimonials, devotions, worship and Bible study. We will begin doing that in 2009 when UMCD meets near Seoul, Korea.  From what I gathered, it should be an inspirational experience, something we can take back home to share with others. You won't want to miss it!!! 
I heard from some people that flights to Korea would be too expensive. I can understand that this particular trip will be costly due to airfare, but that is a POOR reason for NOT going to Korea in 2009. Please don't let expenses of 2009 UMCD Korean trip frighten you. About 75 Koreans and Japanese sacrificed their money and flew to the U.S. to join us at the 2005 UMCD global gathering in Baltimore, MD. So, let us plan on going to Korea in 2009! WE CAN DO IT!!! 
    Our 2007 UMCD had a workshop on fund-raising. Rev. Wineva Hankamer gave a power-point presentation of different fund-raising ideas. This presentation is now on our UMCD.org website. It gives you a lot of ideas of raising fund to go to Korea. You CAN raise funds in different ways. So, go to our UMCD.org website and click on index, then click on "Watch for photos and articles from the Conference HERE", then click on 'Fun Ways to Fund Raise for Individuals or Groups". Don't wait for 2009 to plan or start fund raising. Not until 2008.  Start planning now for our 2009 UMCD Global Gathering in Korea!!!
    The total cost of the 2009 UMCD conference, which from July 28 - 31 is estimated to be $200 - $220, including meals and lodging. Our 2009 UMCD Conference will be held at a retreat center near Seoul, Korea. Yes, the retreat center has air-conditioning!! 
    Using the Internet, current roundtrip airfares from the East Coast to Korea is about $1,700. From the West Coast, current roundtrip airfares to Korea should be 
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cheaper. That may go up in 2009. This is just to give you an idea how much you need to raise funds for your trip. You may want to set a goal of raising $2,500 per person. You may either work through a travel agency (UMCD is looking for one), or you can reserve and buy airline tickets on your own, using the Internet. 
Rev. Joo Kang, our UMCD Vice-President will be helping us and provide us updates on our 2009 trip to Korea and retreat plans. 
    You will need a passport. If you don't have one, now would be a good time to get one. They are good for 10 years for adults and 5 years for children under 16. Check with your local U.S. Post Office or your local passport office about how to get a passport. It can take up to 3 - 6 months (or longer) to get a passport. 
    We will share more news through our UMCD group serve as well as through our UMCD newsletters. If you are not on the UMCD group email list, please see below how to sign up.
    I appointed MaryJane Kenyon as our UMCD Newsletter editor.  If you have news concerning your church, past events, coming events, pictures, etc., please send them to MaryJane at dmj730@comcast.net for our next UMCD Newsletter.  The deadline is January 31, 2008. 
    Thanks to Candis Shannon for her willingness and putting together our last UMCD Newsletter. Also, thanks to MaryJane for preparing and editing our current UMCD Newsletter. 
    Lastly, please keep Rev. Tom Hudspeth, our Treasurer in your daily prayers.  He is recovering from Gullain-Barre disease, a form of paralysis on most of his body.  Recovery has been slow.  He needs your prayers each and every day.  Thank you.
Blessings and Peace, 

Dan Kenyon 
UMCD President                                                     
North East Jurisdiction News

Interns, Interns, Interns

    Christ UMC of the Deaf in Baltimore has been honored to host 19 intern seminary students, US 2's (Young Adult Missionaries) and pastors for the past 20 years.  Currently, they have an intern from Wesley Theological Seminary: Tovi Smith.  She is a member of the African Methodist Episcopal Church and she will be with the church for one year.  
    This past spring Christ UMCD hosted Rev. Dot Smith, a pastor from the WV Annual Conference, who is hoping to start Deaf ministry in her conference.  
     This fall they will host Rev. Sam Carpenter and his wife from Northern Hills UMC in San Antonio, TX.  Rev. Carptenter is hard of hearing and serves a Deaf congregation in the SW Texas Annual Conference.  
    With each intern both the church and the intern learn and grow. Anyone interested in doing internships at Christ UMC of the Deaf should contact Rev. Peggy Johnson at revpink@aol.com.

Michigan Work Team

     This past August a work team of 25 people came to Christ UMC of the Deaf from the Detroit Annual Conference. They were hearing youth and adults interested in learning sign language and doing repairs and paints jobs at the church and at the homes of church members.  They stayed for a week and did a wonderful job.  Mary Gladstone, a Church and Community Worker, assigned to work at the Deaf Shalom Zone in Baltimore coordinated the event.  This team also led the church's Vacation Bible School using drama, games and crafts.  Mary hopes to host more work teams next summer.
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New Books

    Rev. Dr. Peggy Johnson and Rev. Leo A Yates both published books this year.  Rev. Johnson along with Rev. Bob Walker (study guide) wrote "Deaf Ministry: Make a Joyful Silence."  It is a primer on all-things-deaf-ministry and it also tells the story of Peggy's journey into the ordained ministry.  Rev. Walker wrote a study guide that goes with the book so it can be used as a study book for churches and women's groups.  
    Rev. Yates published a book for people who want to establish an interpreted ministry.  It is entitled "Interpreting at Church: A Paradigm for Sign Language Interpreters."  It gives an excellent                                                                                                                                                        
overview about the role of the interpreter and helps churches to serve Deaf people in a better way.  Both books are available on Amazon.com
   
Future Trip to the Dominican Republic

    Christ UMC of the Deaf, Wesley Theological Seminary and McDaniel College are hosting a trip to the Dominican Republic in January 2008.  They will be visiting the Christian Deaf School and also various historical and ministry sites on the island.  This school was established to help Deaf children who have special needs and are not able to be successful in the state Deaf school.  Last year a team went to the school and taught Bible School there for a week.  This year the team will also teach and resource the teachers at the school as well.

Other News Briefs

    -The NEJ UMCD 2008 meeting will be at Magothy UMC of the Deaf in Pasadena Maryland.  It will be an all day event with Rev. Rick McClain as the keynote speaker.  He is the Vice-President of Academic Affairs at the Deaf Online University in Hoover, Alabama.  Rev. McClain has degrees from Gallaudet University, Nazarene Theological Seminary and the Mid-American Nazarene University.  He is a Nazarene pastor.  There will be workshops, business, fellowship and entertainment.  For more info. contact Darlene Koontz, president of the NEJ UMCD  at Koontz9@comcast.net.  
   
     -Deaf Camp 2008 will be at Manidokan Camp (August 3 - 8) for ages 7 to 15.  There will be a young adult Deaf camp in 2008 at West River (July 27 - Aug 1) and a Deaf Blind Camp at West River (June 15 - 20) For more info. contact Rev. Peggy Johnson at revpink@aol.com. 

    -The Deaf Shalom Zone recently received a grant from the UM Health and Welfare to do HIV/AIDS education with deaf youth, deaf blind and group home deaf members, case management and run an HIV/AIDS retreat in the fall of 2008.

                             …By Rev. Peggy Johnson

              Smile, God loves you!

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South Central Jurisdiction

FallFest Report
     Approximately 75 persons were part of the first annual FallFest Spirit Raiser, an all day event on Saturday September 15, 2007.  The event was sponsored by Cypress United Methodist Church in Cypress Texas, north of Houston. 
     The goal was to raise awareness of the issues involved in living with people who have a variety of issues regarding hearing, whether deaf, hard of hearing, friend or family member, or church people wanting to respond, there was something to learn at this conference.
    Speakers covered topics from technology regarding machinery as well as cochlear implants, to coping skills to international mission work, and came from the perspective of the individual, the family, the church, and the community.
     The Interpreter workshop earned participants .6 CEU and was interactive, led by Mark and Melanie Mitchum. Other presenters were Teri Wathen, Hearing Resource Specialist for Communication Axess Ability Group, Jesse Petty and Betty Broyles-Petty (St. Luke’s UMC), cochlear implant users,   Paula Moore (Cypress UMC), ambassador for Cochlear, an implant company, Rev. Wineva Hankamer (United Methodist Committee on Ministries with Deaf, Late-deafened, Hard of Hearing and Deaf-Blind People), Dr. Victor Vidounou, Professor at Stephen F. Austin University, and leader in “Live Ear Ministries,” and more.
     Exhibitors were from Hearing Systems, Hearing Loss Inc (formerly SHHH), The Good Word Ministry focusing on families in Honduras; Live Ear Ministries (Benin and Niger, Africa), Deaf Prison Ministries and others. 
     Members and staff at Cypress UMC made the day a wonderful experience through food and fellowship, gracious hosting in the Ministry Activity Center and providing sound technology and hospitality throughout the day.
     The goal was met for participants who went away with fresh ideas, new contacts, newfound resources and a spirit lifted to continue the ministry of working with people who have issues with hearing or hearing loss.

     The FallFest Spirit Raiser concluded with an evening concert featuring Mark and Melanie Mitchum. Nearly 200 people attended this rousing event including clergy, local church members, visiting interpreters and members of the Deaf community.  The show opened with a spirit moving performance by "Hands Open, Hearts Open Choir" of Woodhaven Baptist Deaf Church. Mark and Melanie Mitchum then continued to raise the audience to new heights with their performance. Their concert style of music, combined with Christian witness, inspired nods and "amens" from many audience members.  
     Spirits were indeed raised by this entire event and plans are in the works for next year’s event. 
                    
                                       …By Wineva Hankamer
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West Jurisdiction

    Francine Aona Kenyon was nominated and elected to serve in the Class of 2006 as a member of California-Pacific Annual Conference Committee on Disability Concerns. She will attend the first meeting in Pasadena, California next month to voice for the rights of deaf, hard-of-hearing, and deaf-blind and people with disabilities in the State of Hawaii. 
    Harris United Methodist Church in Honolulu, Hawaii held its successful 19th Annual Deaf and Disabilities Ministry Sunday Service on Sunday, July 29, 2007. Every year, Francine, coordinator of Deaf and Disabilities Ministry Team, coordinated with the Worship Ministry Team, Education Ministry Team, Deaf and Disabilities Ministry Team in the planning and implementation of Deaf and Disabilities Ministry Sunday Service. Francine spent a lot of time researching on the Lord’s Prayer skits.  The skit that  she learned at the Laity Retreat in Frederick, Maryland, was about 5 women – 10-year-old daughter, 16-year-old teen daughter, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.  Francine volunteered as a great-grandmother in that skit! “Everyone (enjoyed and) laughed when I acted exactly what I did as a great-grandmother in that skit.”  She also recalled seeing the Lord’s Prayer skit on her visit to Christ United Methodist Church of the Deaf.  She decided to re-write the Lord’s Prayer skit by including the deaf-related experiences and adding the Lord’s Prayer in Sign Language on the screen for the whole congregation for a full laity-clergy participation to learn signing the Lord’s Prayer together!  She also included the Young and Young at Heart (formerly Children’s Sermon) and the pastoral sermon together in the congregation. People, young and old, were joined with the amazing and wonderful deaf actors and actresses in the Sunday School class.  They learned how to sign  the Lord’s Prayer! Dave Lee, a hearing member, played the powerful role of God. Beverly Bownds, a certified sign language interpreter, acted as a voice for deaf members and ASL interpreter for God.  
    “It was the best skit I ever wrote and received many wonderful comments from the members, including Rev. Nobuko Miyake-Stoner, our senior pastor, and Rev. Debra Murray”.  Rev. Debra Murray mentioned that she really adored the service in sign language and wanted to join the signing choir at the next Deaf and Disabilities Ministry Sunday Service next year!!” 
    We are planning a 20th anniversary celebration of the founding of Deaf Ministry in Harris United Methodist church next year,  possibly in the summer.  This includes exhibits from various agencies serving the deaf and disability communities. 
    Whenever you visit Hawaii for a vacation, I hope you will join us and celebrate the anniversary.      
                                           
                                  …By Francine Kenyon

South East Jurisdiction          

     The SEJ UMCD had their meeting during the National Meeting. As the SEJ UMCD is without leadership, Mrs. Toni H. Parrish, past President of the SEJ UMCD, volunteered to conviene the meeting. From the modest group in attendance, the following motion was made: "That due to the SEJ UMCD, being the host for the UMCD National Meeting, lacking of a viable support system, moves that the SEJ UMCD go dormant until such a time that God calls up those for leadership and support." The motion was seconded with the vote being unanimous in favor of the 
                        
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motion. Until such time as God calls someone to lead this ministry, the SEJ UMCD is officially now dormat.

                                          …By Toni Parrish  

 International Jurisdiction 

    Rev. Amos Muyambo, pastor to the Deaf in Zimbabwe is currently in Kenya to set up a voluntary test counseling care.  It is a training for HIV/AIDS case management for the Deaf.  He brought two deaf people,                      Emmah Katema and Tawanda Ngome with him  for training as counselors.  Amos’ wife, Ruwadzano is also involved in this training.   They will be able to do pre and post test  HIV/AIDS counseling after they take the class.  Funds for this class came from the General Board of Global Ministries (GBGM) and generous gifts from UMCD members.  Ishmael Katema, Memory Zhuwao and Bright Mubvuyiwa remained in Zimbabwe.  If there’s funding, we will need them for training, too.  Amos needs funding for many other projects.    

    Amos and others found two deaf children, a 10-year-old girl and a 9-year-old boy.  They are being sent to UMC mission school called Mutambara.  He is looking for anyone who is willing to sponsor for their schooling, $150.00 for each semester.  
    Another BIG event is planned for all Africa Deaf UMCD Conference.  It is to be held at Africa University July 24 – 27, 2008.  Amos and others welcome all the support from anyone, as they want this event to be successful.  Also, they want to reach out to the deaf community worldwide.  For more info. contact Carol Stevens at carolstevens100@hotmail.com.
    
                             …By Rev. Peggy Johnson 
                                      and Amos Muyambo

General Conference and VBS

    A UMCD conference was held in Orlando, Florida July 19 – 22, 2007. 
    General Conference will be held in Fort Worth, TX in April, 2008.          
    Our SCJ has planned a conference in October, 2008.  The conference will be held in San Antonio, TX.  Rev. Sam Carpenter will host at the Deaf Church in Northern Hills UMC.  
    Asbury UMC Deaf Ministry in Tulsa, Oklahoma is working on to raise funds for the UMCD trip to Korea.  Also, I received information from Asbury UMC that they wanted some Deaf groups to go on a mission to Monterrey, Mexico, and do VBS, construction, Deaf mission and to visit a Deaf school.  The mission is planned at Spring break, 2008.  We are working on raising funds for this purpose, also.  
    I am concerned about Tom Hudspeth.  He is at home and does an outpatient physical therapy.  He is being taken care of at home.  Please pray for him.

                                        …By Karen Harrell

             
              
              Smile, God loves you!

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Tentative plans for the 2009                                   
UMCD conference in Korea

    The next UMCD will be held at the Kwanglim Seminar House, a retreat center in Pocheon, Korea July 28 – 31, 2009. The registration fee including room and board is between $200 to $220 depending on which room you choose. 
    According to Rev. Sang Suk Nam, the chair of the preparatory committee of the World Federation of Deaf Methodists Conference, the representatives will attend there from Japan, Sri Lanka, China, USA, 
Russia, Singapore, Africa, South America and Korea. 
    The conference will be an excellent                experience for all the participants, to have a wonderful brotherly and sisterly fellowship among different nationalities, languages and cultures. It will offer a great spiritual boost through Christian songs, preachings and mission reports from different countries.
    Korean Deaf Methodists are ready to offer warm hospitality to foreign participants that will make their participation into the conference more pleasant and memorable. 

    After the conference there will be an opportunity to take a tour in Seoul and the Demilitarized Zone  (DMZ) and a visit to Seoul Methodist Deaf Church. 
    The only setback is an expensive travel cost. The flight fare for a roundtrip from Los Angeles to Seoul, Korea is estimated to be about $1400 for the peak time rate.  (It will cost   more    for   those  who  live   in   the East Coast and mid-America.)  
    It is our sincerest hope that more than 25 participants from the USA will be able to attend the global and exciting conference in Korea.  Thanks.

                                      …By Rev. Joo Kang
 
UMCD Interpreter Workshop
July 19, 2007

    Michelle Menefee led the Interpreter Workshop.  Interpreters, Pat Lancet and Michelle Menefee discussed the various religious signing that people (deaf and hearing) use at different religion churches.  Also, their point of views and explanations included clarified and emphasized that the signs are deaf peoples’ signs.  They are very interesting as well as very informative issue. Pat, UMCD Secretary, submitted all the notes.  Because the notes are very long, detailed and technical, the notes are posted on the UMCD website.  It is highly recommended that you all visit the website – www.umcd.org. Thank you both for making this an important and educated issue!

Are you receiving UMCD group emails?

    There will be UMCD news and/or discussion shared among members through UMCD group email. If you are not receiving UMCD group email, through UMCD@yahoogroups.com please send an email request, along with your email address, to Rick Springer at umc.deaf.ministry@sbcglobal.net if you wish to be added to this UMCD group email list. 

              Smile, God loves you!

 
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Executive Officers

President: Dan Kenyon
dmj730@comcast.net 

Vice-President: Rev. Joo Kang
lordseakang@hotmail.com 

Secretary: Pat Lancet
pklancet@yahoo.com 

Treasurer:  Rev. Tom Hudspeth
thudspeth@llumc.org 

Jurisdiction Presidents

NCJ Vice-President: Rev. Elke Sharma  
pastorelke@yahoo.com
 
NEJ President: Darlene Koontz
koontz9@comcast.net 

SCJ President: Karen Harrell
karenharrell76@cox.net 

SEJ President: Toni Parrish
THPDeaf@aol.com

WJ President: Candis Shannon
fireweedccs@yahoo.com

Int’l. Conf. President: Amos Muyambo
apmuyambo@yahoo.com   

Committee Chairs

Archives and History - Francine Kenyon
fmkyn@yahoo.com 

Church Promotion Deaf Ministries - Karen Harrell
karenharrell76@cox.net

Church Promotion of Late-Deafened
and Hard of Hearing - Rev. Elke Sharma
pastorelke@yahoo.com

Communications Technology - Rev. Rick Springer
UMC.Deaf.Ministry@sbcglobal.net 

Interpreter Committee - Michelle Menefee
mlmenefee@sbcglobal.net 
 
Membership Roster - Rev. Bob Vaughn
rvaughn@infionline.net 

Youth Ministry - Carmela Kenyon
wwecrazydiva@gmail.com 

Other Officers

Past President: Candis Shannon
fireweedccs@yahoo.com 

Newsletter Editor:  MaryJane Kenyon
dmj730@comcast.net 

Liaison to UM GBGM Health & Welfare: Patricia Magyar  pmagyar@gbgm-umc.org 

I want to thank Rev. Curt Keller for serving as NCJ President in the past.  Since Rev. Elke Sharma moved to Illinois, she became NCJ President after serving as WJ President.  Please welcome Toni Parrish as SEJ President and Candis Shannon as WJ President.

I also want to thank the following people for serving as committee chairs in the past:  Rev. Rob Vaughn – Law, Rev. Kirk VanGilder – Petition, Frank Spiker – Deaf-Blind, Roy White – Lay Leadership, and Vae Rose Fultz – Curriculum.  These committees will remain vacant until further notice.  
                                                                                                                                  --- Dan Kenyon
                                                                                                                                                       (9) 
UMCD Membership and Endowment Fund

UMCD established the Endowment Fund for the purpose of encouraging local
churches to develop new ministries with those who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing,
Late Deafened or Deaf-Blind. Your donation to the Endowment is a sign of support and challenge to United Methodists.  If you did not attend the 2007 UMCD conference and want to renew your membership or if you want to join UMCD, you may use the form below. Please send your tax-deductible UMCD Membership and/or Endowment Fund donation to the address below.  Many thanks!!

Help the Endowment Fund Grow!
_______________________________________________________________________
UMCD Membership and Donations  

Name: ______________________________________________

Address: ____________________________________________

______________________________________________________

Telephone: ________________________   Voice/TTY (Circle which applicable)

Email: _________________________________________

$ _________ UMCD Dues ($10.00 per year or $20 for 2 years)
$ _________ Donation to Endowment Fund
$ _________ Donation for _________________
$ _________ Total Enclosed

Make your check payable to UMCD, memo “Membership” and/or “Endowment Fund”

Mail To:
Tom Hudspeth, Treasurer
Lovers Lane UMC
9200 Inwood Rd.
Dallas, Texas 75220

Thank you for supporting the United Methodist Congress of the Deaf.