Bridging the Gap with the Deaf Community
Jessie Tucker |
July 2, 2019
We are incredibly thankful for volunteers like Jessie Tucker! She serves by interpreting the weekend services for our hearing impaired and deaf community, so we asked her a few questions.
What do you like best about serving in this way?
I really enjoy interpreting and getting the good news out to our deaf community. I love it when I can see the message is clicking with our deaf members.
Whether they smile at a joke, nod in agreement, or come up to me after service to talk about their thoughts on God or their relationship with Jesus, I know I’ve gotten through and am helping to bridge the gap between the hearing world and the deaf world.
Do you feel connected with the Vineyard community?
Yes. The vast majority of the church is hearing and can plug-in many ways and places. Our deaf community is really a family that gets to reunite on a weekly basis or more. We all work together in the church and outside of the church because of our special niche.
Do you have a story about how you got started in this serving role?
When I was in college for sign language interpretation, I needed observation hours so I started interpreting at the Vineyard to get my hours.
I was Catholic at the time and regularly attended my Catholic Church, but over time I started attending the Vineyard. By that time I had my interpreting degree, so it came naturally to start using my skills and serve In that way.
If you or a friend is deaf or hearing impaired, you're invited to the Vineyard! We offer deaf interpretation (ASL) on Sundays at 10:30am on the left side of the auditorium in the front. Learn more