“a time for action”, general conference 2000

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“A Time for Action”, General Conference 2000

A mission initiative of General Conference in 1992 began a journey that is now the United Methodist Deaf and Hard of Hearing Ministries.

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“A Time for Action”, General Conference 2000

“Beginning with John Wesley, Methodism has a long history of commitment to its connection with the forgotten communities of our world.

The United Methodist Church’s connection with Deaf, late-deafened, hard of hearing, deaf-blind people is a history of forgotten stories and forgotten people.

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Structure

A steering committee was established with an assigned staff member of the

General Board of Global Ministries: Noemi Fuentes was our organizing

staff member, followed by Dr. Cherian Thomas, and Niels French.

Patricia Magyar now serves as our liaison.

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Structure

Ten Members shall make up the Committee as follows:

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Structure

two Deaf (capital D=culturally Deaf)

two late-deafened

two hard of hearing

one deaf-blind

….as well as………

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Structure

one deaf institutional ministry professional

two clergy with experience in ministry with people who are Deaf, late-deafened, hard of hearing, deaf-blind

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Structure

The Committee strives to be inclusive with regard to gender ethnicity jurisdiction different sign language & hearing abilities and

various levels of deaf-blindness

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Committee Makeup

Committee members are from : North Central Jurisdiction North Eastern Jurisdiction South Central Jurisdiction Southeastern Jurisdiction Western Jurisdiction

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President: Michelle Martin

Vice President: Sam Carpenter

Secretary: Elke Sharma

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Focus in first quadrennium:

Presentation & advocacy skills awareness workshops at boards & agencies

Becoming resources for the General Church, Annual Conferences, faith communities,

and local churches Grants and loan of equipment

Creating action plans and legislation for Annual & General Conferences

Global Deaf Ministries (mission)

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General Conference 2004

Voted to continue the work of the Committee into the current quadrennium

Supported its work with financial backing and assigned staff from Board of Global Ministries, Health and Welfare section.

Continues to expect great things from this Committee in years to come.

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Develop Web Presence Initiated www.umcsignsofsolidarity.org

Leader Resources Developed 2 hour workshop Made equipment available on loan

Petition to General Conference 2008 add staff person in Hard of Hearing ministry. (Did not pass.)

Focus in 2005-2008:

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Focus in current quadrennium:

Development of deaf pastors & Youth Certified lay pastor process

Communication Promotion of Advance Global Mission

Haiti Other ongoing work in 13 countries

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Grants Subcommittee

Decides criteria for grant giving based on models from the Board of Global Ministries

Receives grant applications for projects and scholarships

Reports findings to whole Committee for voting Disburses approved grants Keeps a record of grant recipients

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Accountability

The Committee is accountable to UMCOR Health of the General

Board of Global Ministries sharing yearly progress reports and evaluation.

As an Advance, we also report to the Advance review committee.

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Advance Special

“Ministry with Deaf People” Advance # 982562-7 provides opportunities for empowering

Deaf, late-deafened, hard of hearing, and deaf-blind people

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Advance Special

Projects include seed money for new ministries global outreach curriculum development internships Deaf and deaf-blind camps communication access scholarships

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Advance Special

How to Give: send a check to your local church with

Advance ID # 982562-7 on the memo line local church will send it to your Annual

Conference treasurer to use credit card call 888 252-6174

That’s 888 252-6174

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Advance Special

See Advance brochure to find out about how to give to the Advance how to apply for funding your project or

scholarship needs qualifying persons, programs

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Advance Special

Application forms are distributed through general mailings for the Advance available from any committee member or the

Health and Welfare office of General Board of Global Ministries

Forms may be submitted by letter, fax, or email.

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Contact Us

Consultant to the Committee Wineva Hankamer

ilycul@yahoo.com

Board of Global Ministries Health & Welfare Staff

Patricia Magyar pmagyar@gbgm-umc.org

Website: www.UMCSignsofsolidarity.org