Everyone needs a place where they know they belong, a place that welcomes them into full participation in the life of the community. Waretown UMC in Ocean County has chosen to be a place of belonging by becoming one with the Deaf members of their congregation and offering ASL interpretation for all worship services.
This integration began in 2010 with Carl Anderson, the first Deaf member of the Waretown UMC. Anderson, who is considered “a rockstar in the Deaf community,” represents Waretown UMC at the Annual Conference. He is wonderful leader in the church. Carl and interpreter Natalie Callis initiated this journey towards inclusivity at Waretown UMC. Today, the church has 34 Deaf members and 3 interpreters in the congregation, which makes them the largest congregation of hearing and Deaf members together in the United Methodist Church in the United States.
Pastor Dawn Corlew makes every effort to ensure that the Deaf community is not separate but an integral part of the congregation. “We try to incorporate everyone,” Pastor Dawn said. “As a pastor, I’ve been mindful to learn sign language and greet everyone in ASL.” She also led an endeavor to have the congregation learn the Lord’s Prayer in ASL in celebration of Deaf Awareness Month. Throughout the year, parishioners learned to sign the prayer one phrase at a time each week during church services. Leaders also posted recordings on Facebook so that members could practice and share them with others.
This mission brought people closer to each other and to the prayer itself. Pastor Dawn shared, “When I sign it, I feel connected not just with those verbally saying the prayer but with the Deaf as well. Plus, when you sign Amen, it is a powerful way of ending the prayer.” She noted that she gives that final sign the enthusiasm it deserves. She also points out that some of the signs in ASL give a visual representation of words that helps understand the English word better. This mindful way of praying the Lord’s Prayer empowers everyone to truly think about the meaning behind those words.
The vision statement for the church has become: “We are a neighborhood church faithfully serving God and the community with love and hope.” All members work daily to express that vision. The church now offers weekly signing classes, teaching basic signs for anyone to learn ASL. Pastor Dawn observed that even hearing people consider themselves part of the Deaf community as they all sign together. And they don’t just sign in prayer but also in song.
The “God Squad” is a group of kids between first and fifth grade are a young choir that signs, and many parishioners have learned to join in. Musical amplifiers called “ButtKickers” are also placed on each pew so Deaf church members can feel the vibrations and experience the music as well.
During the holidays, the church puts on a live nativity performance on the first Monday of Advent, which they make sure is interpreted. They provide special seating for Deaf members, ensuring they are up front to see the performance and within sight of the ASL interpretation. It’s a beautiful event that brings their community together.
Natalie Callis, a long-time church member and certified educational sign language interpreter, has been proud to see their
venture flourish from the beginning. She explained that their success is due to a three-part effort. “Think of it like a three-legged stool,” she said. “It works because we have a minister who is so supportive of having interpreters, a congregation that is so welcoming to the Deaf community, and a strong Deaf presence in the Deaf community as well.”
They also made history this summer with a movie called Jesus that was entirely in ASL and featured Deaf actors. They rented out the movie theater and filled it with both Deaf and hearing members they had invited to watch. Pastor Dawn recalled the experience with awe. “As a hearing person,” she said, “it gave me a little more insight into my Deaf community and how they typically have to watch movies with Closed Caption.” She is planning to show the film at their church in Waretown during the last week of September to celebrate Deaf Awareness Month.
Awareness in the community is certainly growing, even beyond the church. Ocean County College has an interpreter program, in which students observe and participate in services at Waretown UMC and even return to worship with them. Interpreter Saundra Piscitelli is one of the professors in the program and has been a perfect liaison between the college and the church.
God lives within each of us and loves us the way we are. In an address to Bishop Schol, Carl Anderson wrote, “We are ALL the Body of Christ, and we believe that together we have done it right.”
Waretown United Methodist Church is certainly getting it right. Their openness to fully embrace all members of their community is a beautiful thing for all involved. “Deaf people are so grateful for any hearing person who attempts to learn their language,” Natalie Callis said. “I want people to come and see for themselves. To experience it, you have to show up.”
To make it all work, Pastor Dawn said, “You must be willing to be a learner. You’re going to make mistakes, and you just have to laugh at your mistakes. It’s important to show that you are trying. That means more than anything.”
The members and leaders of Waretown United Methodist Church have demonstrated the importance of empathy, understanding, and connection. This experience has given their community the opportunity to put themselves in someone else’s shoes and to ensure that all people have access to experience God’s love and grace.
Pastor Dawn says their goal is for their Deaf community to know that they are loved, valued, and appreciated. “They are a part of our community,” she said. “ASL is a part of our DNA as a church. It’s important that they know they are welcome and belong.” She added, “I’m grateful that we’ve made this a priority so our Deaf community can go beyond worship and even lead.”
At Waretown UMC, everyone belongs. This isn’t just a program; it’s a part of who they are. They see each other, and signing helps them communicate and stay connected. In the words of Carl Anderson, “Don’t close your eyes because you’ll miss all the good stuff.”