The Hilton United Methodist Church extends a special invitation to the members of the hearing impaired community to join them for Sunday morning services. Pastor Kim and Karen Smith and their family joined the community last year. Sam Smith, their son who is hearing impaired, became part of the church family. Dawn Zuppelli, an interpreter for the hearing impaired, was hired to make the services accessible for Sam, his friends and other members of the Hilton community who would like to attend and understand the worship service. To help Zuppelli prepare for the weekly service, she receives a copy of the worship service, the sermon, scripture readings and hymns. She signs the whole service, even special music by the choir. A second interpreter has since been added to the program. Sabra Bodratti, of Hilton, has come on board to fill in for Dawn when she is unavailable. Sign language classes were held last summer to help the members of the congregation learn sign language to help them communicate with Sam. Barb Swanson, a church member and coordinator of the sign language classes states, "Our doors are open to others in the community with this handicap and we want to be able to minister to them. Sam is a patient person. He likes it when we try signing to him. He even corrects us when we are wrong." Services are held every Sunday at 10 a.m. at the Hilton United Methodist Church, 21 West Avenue, Hilton. |
