Signs of Faith <\/p>\n
Don\u2019t misinterpret the silence at Woodhaven \u2014 it\u2019s the sound of
\nworship<\/p>\n
By MOISES MENDOZA<\/p>\n
Houston Chronicle<\/p>\n
May 4, 2009<\/p>\n
For information on Woodhaven Baptist Deaf Church, visit
\nwoodhavendeaf.org <\/p>\n
The silence suggested that this was no ordinary church service.<\/p>\n
Only a few people opened their mouths to sing on a recent Sunday at
\nWoodhaven Baptist Deaf Church. Instead, most moved their bodies to the
\nbeat of the strongly reverberating bass. Parishioners nodded as they
\nused their hands, speaking in sign language, to follow the song.<\/p>\n
The west Houston church is tailored entirely to the needs of people
\nwho are deaf or hearing-impaired.<\/p>\n
Interpreters aren\u2019t used here. Instead, the preaching and singing
\nis done in American Sign Language, the church\u2019s first language.<\/p>\n
As one of the few churches in Texas serving the deaf community \u2014
\nand among the state\u2019s largest with more than 200 members \u2014
\nWoodhaven sees itself as a bridge between the hearing and deaf worlds.
\n\u201cWe are involved in people\u2019s lives and they\u2019re involved in
\nours,\u201d said the Rev. Arthur Craig, who heads the church, and is
\nhearing, adding that he interprets for members at hospitals and
\nschools.<\/p>\n
Subculture of the deaf<\/p>\n
In a world built for the hearing, being deaf means being part of a
\ntight-knit subculture. The deaf community has its own university in
\nWashington, D.C., and many people take great pride in the culture that
\nhas developed over the decades.<\/p>\n
But people who are deaf also face special challenges. They are more
\nlikely to be unemployed. They also face difficulties as basic as
\ncommunicating with police or placing orders at restaurants.<\/p>\n
Then there are the spiritual problems.<\/p>\n
Churches are made for the hearing. Even when there are interpreters,
\nmessages often get lost in translation, said Jan Dermon, who is deaf
\nand the wife of one of Woodhaven\u2019s clergy. \u201cWhen you have
\nsomething in your own language, it makes things easier somehow,\u201d
\nDermon said. \u201cYou need to be able to understand what\u2019s being
\nsaid.\u201d<\/p>\n
Deaf churches have been around since at least the 1800s, when the St.
\nAnn\u2019s Church for the Deaf was started in New York City. But when
\nLillian Beard began interpreting church services for her deaf parents
\n85 years ago, Houston had no place where the deaf could go to learn
\nabout God. Over the years, Beard began interpreting church services
\nfor others at Houston\u2019s First Baptist Church.<\/p>\n
Hundreds of people who are deaf flocked to the church, slowly
\ncreating a congregation of their own.<\/p>\n
In the 1980s a long-held dream came true. The church moved into its
\nlocation on Long Point Road. It would be called Woodhaven Baptist Deaf
\nChurch.<\/p>\n
Though still a part of First Baptist, now the church would stand by
\nitself.<\/p>\n
\u201cI wasn\u2019t so sure about the church setting off on its own,\u201d the
\nnow 100-year-old Beard said recently. \u201cBut I put my trust in God.\u201d<\/p>\n
Craig would be Woodhaven\u2019s leader. <\/p>\n
Coffeehouse, classes<\/p>\n
Craig said he felt a calling for deaf ministry decades ago. That
\ncalling led him to Woodhaven, where he has recruited a diverse staff
\nof leadership, including some hearing and some deaf.<\/p>\n
And as the church has evolved, it has become not just a place for
\nworship, but also a place for all of Houston\u2019s deaf community.<\/p>\n
At a newly built resource center there\u2019s help for people applying
\nfor jobs as well as life-skills classes. There\u2019s also a coffeehouse
\nwhere people can watch deaf art performances or just relax.<\/p>\n
And then there are sign language courses for the hearing community.<\/p>\n
During services, a man at the back of the church uses a microphone to
\ninterpret the sign language into spoken English for the hearing.<\/p>\n
As Woodhaven\u2019s service ended recently, a church member signed at
\nthe front as the congregation sang \u201cI have decided to follow
\nJesus.\u201d<\/p>\n
The parishioners stood up, signed along and stomped their feet on the
\nground.<\/p>\n
Then the service ended, and just like any other church, everyone
\ncaught up on each other\u2019s busy lives and made post-church plans.<\/p>\n
Near the service\u2019s end, Traci Thomas of west Houston went up near
\nthe stage to pray with some clergy. She said she has been attending
\nservices at Woodhaven for 13 years.<\/p>\n
\u201cHere they understand the deaf, here I belong,\u201d she said through
\nan interpreter.<\/p>\n
moises.mendoza@chron.com<\/p>\n