WORKSHOP SCHEDULED
Kathleen will be starting a new workshop for Sign Language for Worship this month. Initial plans are to meet one evening per week at Mountain Home Bible Church. The specific day and meeting time will be decided to best meet the availability of the group. If you would like to attend please call or mail the enclosed card. This is a free workshop and open to anyone who is seriously interested.
KATHLEEN IN ARIZONA
Kathleen had several appearances while in Arizona for her son’s college graduation and wedding. The largest group was Red Mountain Christian Center – a church outside of Phoenix with 3 Sunday morning services and a membership larger than all the churches in Mountain Home, Arkansas combined. The smallest group was at a gospel sing at Christian Fellowship in a small community in the north central part of the state.
NEW DVD VIDEO
There are eight songs on the new DVD and if you would like a FREE copy please let us know or mail the enclosed card. If you have any problems with the original DVD running on older players please let us know and we will replace it with the new one.
WHAT’S COMING UP?
Silent Grace is currently ’booked’ at several churches across northern Arkansas including Methodist, Presbyterian, Bible and Baptist. There are several senior gatherings, 2 association meetings and we are praying to open the doors to more secular groups. And, of course, our long time favorite – Calico Rock Prison.
UPDATE ON OUR MINISTRY- Questions We Have Been Asked ….
What is the purpose of Silent Grace Ministries?
To spread the Gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To open the doors to a better understanding of the deaf community. To introduce hearing people to the beauty of sign language.
The National Council of Churches states that less than 2% of deaf people attend church or consider themselves Christians and they recommend, among other things, that:
1. Christians use their gifts ‘across denominations’ to break down the barriers
2. Churches develop forms of worship to include deaf people
3. Churches educate hearing people about the deaf
4. Churches financially support those trying to break down these barriers.
How many deaf people are there?
Most ‘counts’ by the National Institute for Health include those who are severely hard of hearing – that could be as high as 28 million in the United States.
“So then you are no longer strangers and aliens but you are citizens with the saints and also members of the household of God.“ (Eph 2:19)
What Have we Done?
We have:
1. Worshipped in sign language to Christian and non-Christian groups, groups as small as 10 and as large as 2,000, numerous denominations, civic groups, senior gatherings, nursing homes and prisons.
2. Produced hundreds of DVDs for free distribution.
3. Given sign language books to prisoners and church members alike.
4. Developed workshops to teach sign language worship
What Are Our Goals?
Because of the large number of deaf and hard of hearing people and because such a large percentage do not consider themselves Christians, we consider ourselves ‘missionaries’ in helping to bring the Gospel message through song and worship, to those who do not know, to those in a “foreign land”.
Why Do We Have A Newsletter? Why Do We Include A ‘Donation Envelope’?
In order to have support – spiritual, physical and financial – ‘missionaries’ must let others know what they are doing to spread the Word. We count on our supporters to open doors for us into churches and secular groups. We especially rely on our supporters for prayer and it is difficult to pray for someone unless you know what they are doing and their needs.
We include an envelope for those who wish to support us financially. Like every other missionary group or church we have expenses. We were reluctant to ask for financial help when we first started. We told one of our relatives that we hesitated asking for money from him because we didn’t want it to change our relationship. He told us that he would feel badly if we didn’t allow him to help us in our ministry. Although we are extremely thankful to those who choose to support us, we do not ask for financial support – we include an envelope and leave it to God to provide.
We have never asked for, nor received a ‘love offering’, expenses or any type of fee for our appearances.
What Do We Do With The Donations We Receive?
We have produced hundreds of DVDs for free distribution. We have done workshops, given away sign language books, taught at Christian schools while providing all the materials, paid all our travel expenses. We have paid hundreds of dollars in music license fees and recently paid the exorbitant fee charged by the IRS to get approval as a non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation. We have paid all legal fees and corporate license fees.
All 501(c)(3) corporations are required, by law, to make their financial statements available to anyone who would like to see them.
Other Interesting Facts