In the first weekend of June this year, The Hayes conference centre hosted the Deaf Ministry Conference, organised by national Deaf Ministry Advisor Gill Behenna. This conference was supported by the Disability Project as part of our aim to contribute to the development and encouragement of the Deaf Ministry network throughout the wider church.
With an attendance of around 40 delegates, presenters included Rev Susan Myatt from Lichfield Diocese and Open Hands Signing Church, Rev Dr Al Barrett, Rector of Hodge Hill Church and Director of the Open Door Community Foundation, and Rev Dr Hannah Lewis, Chaplain to the Deaf in Oxford Diocese. The opening session was led by Penny Beschizza, Deaf Outreach worker for the diocese of Southwark (pictured here). Penny encouraged us to think creatively about our connections, using art materials.
The language of the conference was BSL, with interpreters available in the main programme meetings and also in social spaces to enable relationship building and networking between all those attending.
Attendees spoke positively of the warmth of conversation, the powerful themes of the presentations, and the hopes for developing the peer network in the future.
A very special guest was Bishop Alastair of Woolwich, who attended the full conference in his capacity as the newly designated lead bishop for Deaf Ministry.
Next steps
As Gill graciously steps down from her very valued work, the work of the Deaf Ministry Task Group will be initially coordinated by Rev Jan Smith. There will also be regular Zoom meetings for all those who are involved in leading or supporting Deaf Ministry.