People who are deaf, hard of hearing or concerned about those with hearing impairments are invited to participate in the United Methodist Congress of the Deaf (UMCD), a worldwide group of people from a variety of backgrounds united to promote accessibility for deaf and disabled persons to churches and other religious resources.

UMCD is holding its biennial national meeting July 18-20 at the Terrace Hotel Lake Junaluska Assembly in Lake Junaluska, N.C. Workshops will cover a variety of topics, including ministering to persons who are hard of hearing, the inclusive church, learning to use the new American Sign Language Hymnal, how interpreters can prepare themselves to be both effective and efficient using liturgical language, and the power of networking.

Toni Parrish, co-chairwoman of the Florida Conference’s Health and Wholeness Task Force, will be a workshop leader.

UMCD is also looking for concerned persons who are interested in serving as vice president, manager of the UMCD Web site; and chairperson of the petitions, law, certification, parents of deaf children, church promotions of deaf, youth and deaf/blind areas.

For more information, contact Elsa Ellis, a consultant with the Florida Conference’s Deaf/Disabled Ministries task force, at elsa.ellis@pobox.com, or Parrish at 941-355-8015 (v/tdd) / thpdeaf@aol.com,  or visit the UMCD Web site at www.wco.com/~martinal/umcd.html.

Russians head to U.S.

United Methodists throughout the United States are invited to participate in the "Open House for Russian Leaders" through the denomination’s Russia Initiative by serving as hosts for 1,000 Russian leaders visiting the United States for two weeks each in late July through early September.

The Russian leaders will observe firsthand life in a democratic society, get better acquainted with Americans and form lasting relationships.

The goal of the leader exchange is to provide current and future Russian leaders with a positive experience and encouragement prior to Russia’s 2000 national elections.

Host families are asked to provide housing and meals; coordinate visits to government offices of all levels; provide opportunities for interaction with American counterparts and people in their specific area of interest; prepare a local culture program; provide transportation; and provide accommodations for an interpreter.

For more information, contact the Russia Initiative at 1-877-852-0385 or visit the Web site at www.russiainitiative.org.

Training equips laity to lead, communicate in four languages

A woman lying on her death bed said she wanted to be buried with a dessert fork because, "the best is yet to come," said Glenna Kyker Brayton, the Florida Conference’s director of Lay Speaking Ministries.

The woman’s statement is the theme for the third annual Lay Speaking Ministry training event Aug. 13-15 at the Life Enrichment Center (LEC) in Leesburg. It’s designed to train laity to lead the church into the next millennium.

This is the first year the training is offered in four languages — English, Spanish, Creole and Korean. The English class will be interpreted in sign language.

The workshop fee is $35; housing and meals at the LEC are $70 per person, double occupancy, or $81, single occupancy. The fee for commuters is $44. For more information, contact Barbara Holden at 1-800-282-8011, extension 146 /  BHolden@flumc.org,  or Jerry and Glenna Brayton, Conference Directors of Lay Speaking Ministry, at 904-264-3463 or kyker.brayton@juno.com.

Short Bites

Trinity Church in Winter Haven, in conjunction with the International Bible Society and Willow Creek Association, will present a one-day seminar Aug. 28 titled "Becoming a Contagious Christian." The seminar will equip people to share their faith in a style that fits them. The cost is $20.00 and includes materials, workbook and lunch. Space is limited. For more information or to register, contact the Rev. Glenn Gutek, pastor of Trinity Church at 614-697-7949 or ggutek@aol.com.