Deaf community chaplains
Cambridgeshire Deaf Church is a place to worship God, study the Bible and explore issues relating to life and faith, all in British Sign Language (BSL).
BSL is the first language of an estimated 90,000 deaf people in the UK and it's important to provide the opportunity to hear and respond to the Word of God in BSL.The church is made up of Christians who use BSL as their first language and hearing Christians who use BSL to communicate with family and friends.
The Deaf Chaplain is primarily involved in overseeing all that the Deaf Church offers. Cambs Deaf Church leader Jan Smith explains more about it in this short film:-
All BSL users and learners throughout Cambridgeshire are very welcome to the church - deaf, deafblind, hard of hearing and hearing, those who are Christians and those who are just curious.
The aim is to provide a place of friendship, acceptance and support in which to discover more of God's amazing love for each of us.
Every Sunday there is a church service that is signed somewhere in the Diocese of Ely, usually once a month in Cambridge, Hemingford Grey, Soham, Godmanchester and March.
Twice a month, there are Small Group Bible studies. One is held in Cambridge at 11am and one in Huntingdon at 7.30pm.
Four times a year, there is the BSL Church. Sometimes this is in traditional worship and sometimes in a Cafe style. It is usually run around themes such as Easter, Pentecost, Harvest and Christmas.
Trips and social events include meeting those from Deaf Churches in other parts of the UK.
For more more information, visit the Deaf Church Facebook page or contact Jan Smith by email cambsdeafchurch@gmail.com or text 07593 633 774.