Deaf Worship in Their Own Voice

Although this Sunday morning gathering is audibly silent, it’s visually loud. When Helen Bickle leads the weekly worship service at her unique congregation for the Deaf in Belleville, Ontario, no words are spoken. Rather, Deaf congregants enthusiastically sign prayers and songs, while the text is displayed on a screen.

Worshippers have come together at Quinte Deaf Fellowship since 2007, when Deaf members of several local churches decided to form their own non-denominational church. Bickle, who was born Deaf, serves as the lay pastoral minister.