2006 EVENTS

Deaf Children/Youth/Young Adult Camp - July 23-28, 2006 West River, MD

South Central Jurisdictional UMCD Conference - Oct 12-15, 2006
See a Report

South East Jurisdiction UMCD
members are busy planning for the 2007 National UMCD meeting in Orlando
Click Here for Full Information!
The Oct 2006 SEJ Conference was cancelled

Deaf Children/Youth Camp/Young Adult - 2006

July 23 – 28, 2006

Ages 7 - 29.  This year we have a new camp for deaf folks in their 20's.

 West River United Methodist Camp

West River, Maryland

 The cost is $350, scholarships available

 For more information on NEJ events, Contact: 

Rev. Peggy Johnson, DeafCamp@umcd.org or 

David Ennis, NEJ President, nejpres@umcd.org

(Back to the top of page)

South Central Jurisdictional UMCD Conference

October 12-15, 2006
Asbury United Methodist Church , Tulsa, Oklahoma
"Signs From God"
"...for Jesus so all could hear His Word"

Report from this event:

SCJ Meets in “Indian Country”

The South Central Jurisdiction UMCD met in October 2006 in Tulsa Oklahoma with 30 participants from five Annual Conferences and the Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference.
            The youth had their own schedule which included a trip to the Oklahoma City Memorial. The conference included an interpreters’ workshop by Mark and Melanie Mitchum and a concert on Friday night. Saturday workshops included fundraising, invitation to Orlando 2007, and the Deaf Ministry in Rio Bravo, Mexico. Saturday evening featured a Pow Wow with Cherokee and Ponca people, prayer, dancing and drums. 
            New officers were elected and a by-laws committee established.  All the officers are deaf members of the SCJ UMCD.  (Click Name for photo)

   President: Karen Harrell, Tulsa OK (OK Conference)
   Vice-president: Barbara Smith, Seadrift TX ( SW TX Conference)
Secretary: Erica Feldmann, San Antonio TX ( SW TX Conference)
Treasurer: Mary Kay Hudspeth, Dallas TX ( N TX Conference)
Youth Coordinator: Sam White, Tahlequah OK (OK Indian Missionary Conference)
Past-President: Sheila Finn, Tulsa OK (OK Conference)

            On Sunday morning we worshipped in our host church, Asbury UMC, where the group was recognized in worship and some of our members participated in the worship service.

For more information contact: 
Rev. Rick Springer, UMC.Deaf.Ministry@sbcglobal.net 

(Back to the top of page)

2005 EVENTS

Global Conference - July 14-17, 2005 Baltimore, MD

North Central Jurisdiction Sign Camp - July 31-August 5, 2005 - For More information email Rev. Dr. Curt Keller

Deaf Camp - August 12-13, 2005 - Camp Overlook, Virginia

Report of  January 2005 Western Jurisdictional Meeting

(Click these links for more information)

  Global Conference - 2005  
"Declare God's Glory Among the Nations"

Psalm 96:3

UMCD Conference Dates:

July 14 - 17, 2005 

Comfort Inn Airport

6921 Baltimore-Annapolis Blvd.

Brooklyn, Maryland  USA

CLICK HERE for a report for Candis about GUMCD

CLICK HERE for Photos from the GUMCD

CLICK HERE to read Bishop Moncure's Resolution Concerning GUMCD

The UMCD Officers begin their Board meeting after breakfast Thursday, July 14^th. The Conference officially opens at 4:00 p.m. with welcoming introductions and dinner.  The South Korean Methodist Church of the Deaf will lead us in the opening worship at 6:30 p.m. followed by games and fellowship.

And that is just the beginning.  Don’t miss this exciting, international conference with presentations from Korea, Japan, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Kenya, Liberia, Ecuador and more.  Come and meet our friends from other countries.

Be sure to visit our conference website at www.umcdconference.org

(Back to the top of page)

Report of  January 2005 Western Jurisdictional Meeting

“Connecting with the Spirit”

January 14 – 16, 2005

Paradise Valley United Methodist Church

4455 E. Lincoln Dr., Phoenix, AZ

It's been a week since the Western Jurisdiction of UMCD met in Paradise Valley, AZ.  What a wonderful conference we had - "Connecting With the Spirit".  Friday, January 14th began with an all day workshop presentation by the National Committee.  Several local pastors, lay persons and caring ministries staff
attended this workshop.  All areas of ministering with the Deaf, Late-Deafened, Hard of Hearing, Deaf/Blind and Interpreters were represented. The entire workshop was also covered by CART.

Friday evening was the actual beginning of the WJ conference.  All present  focused on an inspirational presentation by Rev. Joo Kang.  What a wonderful story he has to share about his experiences in Korea and why he has come to the U.S. to minister.  If you do not know Joo's story or have not met him, plan to
attend the National UMCD meeting in July of 2005 to get a taste of what we witnessed at Paradise Valley.

Saturday morning began with our WJ business meeting.  We were able to elect new officers for all positions.   President is Elke Sharma, Gooding, Idaho,  Vice-President is Aditya Sharma of Gooding Idaho,  Secretary is Jeffrey Burns of Julian, CA,  Treasurer is Marian Aiken of Los Altos, CA, and Newsletter editor is Francine Kenyon of Honolulu, HI.  With this group of officers, we should be able to accomplish much in the next two years.  During the business meeting, it was decided not to make any changes in the bylaws until we hear further what takes place at the National level.   Jeff Burns is to check out resources in the San Diego area for location of our next WJ meeting.

Following the business meeting, we had three spiritually focused workshops: "Lectio Divinia", "Sensing God"' and "Praying With You Hands".  The leaders did a remarkable job of presenting excellent information in a short period of time which allowed us to focus on spiritual themes that we could take home with us.  Once again, we had the privilege of having Rev. Joo Kang speak late afternoon. 

While those who were basically attending the WJ meetings in one room, the Social Hall at the church was bursting with a large enthusiastic crowd of interpreters attending an all day religious interpreters workshop.  It was inspirational seeing so many interpreters in one room with the desire to improve their
skills and share their knowledge to minister with the Deaf.

Saturday evening everyone gathered in the Social Hall for an evening of entertainment by the "Hands of Joy"  sign language choir from St. Mattew's UMC, Mesa, AZ.  Not one person left that evening disappointed.  What an delightful way to end our day!

Sunday morning, we gathered for morning worship in the main sanctuary of Paradise Valley UMC.  The congregation at Paradise Valley UMC were able to experience worship  with interpreters, CART, the Hands of Joy Choir and an informative sermon by Rev. Dr. Kelly Bender.  It's almost certain that no one left the WJ-UMCD gathering without a feeling of satisfaction.  Not only were our souls being fed but also our bodies with plentiful meals and refreshments as well as our social needs with the diversity of our group.  

May we all applaud the planning committee - Chris Chaille, Ginny Clark-Wright and Rev. Diana Williams - for their exceptional planning to make this meeting a success.  We also would like to extend our thanks to Paradise Valley UMC for hosting our meeting.

Marian Aiken, past-president of WJ-UMCD

For more information email Elke, the new WJ President!

Back to the Top