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Congregational Resources
Best Practice / Brief Guides
These guides, which are frequently updated, are intended to provide the best practices and a guide to getting starting in a particular area of ministry.
- Overview of Audism (August 2020)
Microsoft Word
Adobe PDF 
- Deaf Ministry Best Practices Resource Guide (January 2018)
Microsoft Word Large Print Microsoft Word Adobe PDF - Deaf Awareness Sunday guide (April 2024)
Microsoft Word Large Print Microsoft Word Adobe PDF - Brief Guide to Beginning a Deaf Ministry
Microsoft Word Large Print Microsoft Word Adobe PDF - Brief Guide: Ministry with Hard of Hearing and Late-Deafened People (June 2017)
Microsoft Word Large Print Microsoft Word Adobe PDF - Brief Guide to Hospitality for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Visitors (June 2017)
Microsoft Word Large Print Microsoft Word Adobe PDF - Brief Guide to Assistive Listening Devices or Systems (May 2018)
Microsoft Word Large Print Microsoft Word Adobe PDF - Brief Guide to DeafBlind Interpreting
Microsoft Word Large Print Microsoft Word Adobe PDF - A Brief Guide to Sign Language Interpreting (November 2017)
Microsoft Word Large Print Microsoft Word Adobe PDF
Brochures for Deaf Ministry
These brochures can be used for Deaf Awareness Sunday, or for exhibit tables to raise awareness.
- Tips for Communicating with People who are Hard of Hearing and Late-Deafened (May 2022)
Microsoft Word Adobe PDF - Guidance for Learning Deaf Culture and Sign Language (May 2023)
Microsoft Word Adobe PDF - Tips for working with a Sign Language Interpreter (May 2023)
Microsoft Word Adobe PDF - Guidance for a Deaf-blind ministry
Microsoft Word Adobe PDF - Guidance for Implementing a Deaf Ministry (May 2023)
Microsoft Word Adobe PDF - Guidance for Hospitality and a Deaf-Friendly Worship (May 2023)
Microsoft Word Adobe PDF - DHM Advance Special brochure
Microsoft Word Adobe PDF - UM disability ministries brochure
Microsoft Word Adobe PDF
Bulletin Inserts
- Basic Facts on Hearing Loss
Microsoft Word Adobe PDF - Types of Hearing Loss
Microsoft Word Adobe PDF - Communication Tips with Hearing Loss
Microsoft Word Adobe PDF - American Sign Language
Microsoft Word Adobe PDF - Common ASL Signs
Microsoft Word Adobe PDF - Symptoms of Hearing Loss
Microsoft Word Adobe PDF
ASL Videos
- These videos were created to support non-signers wishing to learn and practice in preparation for gatherings.
- Rev. Dr. Sunny Ahn, Kona UMC, leads the Apostles' Creed:
- A collection of greetings, worship, and sharing ASL videos from the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of San Antonio
Other Guides
- For a list of recommended books, including Breaking the Sound Barrier in Your Church: Ministry & Mission With People who are Hard of Hearing or Late-Deafened, visit our Books and Media page.
- Pastoral Care and Guidance blog from Emmanuel UMC, Laurel MD
- “Create Deaf-Friendly Worship with Hospitality” by Leo Yates Jr. is available from UM Insight and the UM Disability Blog
- Baylor University, “How Can Churches and Other Organizations Be More Accessible to People with Hearing Disabilities?”
- “Etiquette and Communication” from the Disability Ministries Committee has information about communications with people who are Deaf, Deafblind, and others. The page also has a link to this disability language guide from Anabaptist Disabilities Network.
- The Mardy Walker Memorial Assistive Listening System is available for Committee use and can be loaned to congregations for trial. Rev. Beth Chenault of Strawbridge first borrowed the system from the Committee, to see if it would meet the needs of persons in their new worship service. Then a Committee grant allowed her to buy a system for worship.
Read about the Mardy Walker Memorial Assistive Listening System, including how to borrow it for evaluation in your church. - Online Sign Language Classes and Dictionary directory (May 2018)
Microsoft Word Large Print Microsoft Word Adobe PDF - Learn about the UMC ASL Glossary project, which produced ASL signs for many church terms.
Deaf Ministry Consulting
- DHM offers a variety of services such as ASL tutoring, consultation, and resource persons to help you start and promote a ministry. Contact us for assistance.