wfn.org | Church to Worship in Sign Language

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17-September-1997 
97364 
 
    Church to Worship in Sign Language 
 
    by the Rev. Raymond Meester 
    Heritage Presbyterian Church, Lincoln, Neb. 
    and 
    Jerry L. Van Marter 
 
LINCOLN, Neb.--The Heritage Presbyterian Church here, which has been sign 
language interpreting its worship services since 1995, will take a giant 
leap forward Sept. 28 when virtually its entire 10:30 a.m. worship service 
will be conducted in sign language.  The service will also be voiced into 
English. 
 
    The sermon, anthem and Bible story for children will all originate in 
sign language. 
 
    The Rev. Carter Bearden, recently retired as field consultant to the 
deaf for the Southern Baptist Convention, will preach in sign language. 
Bearden is deaf and a graduate of Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, 
Ga. 
 
    Ricky Smith, a deaf mime, will do a signed/mime presentation of a Bible 
story for children.  Smith, deaf since birth, studied under Marcel Marceau 
and has just returned from a tour of Japan, where he performed for more 
than 15,000 people. 
 
    The Sheridan Sign Choir of Sheridan Lutheran Church in Lincoln, made up 
mostly of deaf people, will sing in sign language.  The choir is directed 
by Kathy Ahrendt, an interpreter who is coordinator of deaf ministries at 
the Sheridan Church. 
 
    The Rev. Raymond Meester, pastor of Heritage Church, is conversant in 
sign language.  He is the child of deaf parents and his wife, Ramona, is 
the substitute staff interpreter for Heritage Church and is an educator of 
deaf children and a sign language teacher. 
 
    The church has a wide range of services for the deaf.  One deaf member, 
Susie Zimmer, serves on the session.  Earlier this year the church received 
a grant from the Thank Offering of Presbyterian Women to purchase a TTY 
(telephone device for the hearing and speech impaired). 

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