St Alban’s Church, North Harrow, is proud to welcome members of the Deaf community to its services.
The Church of England believes that everyone has an equal right to access worship in their local parish. Here at St Alban’s Church the 10am service on the first and second Sundays in every month (apart from January and August) is fully interpreted into British Sign Language (BSL) by a team led by John Ryan. Other major festivals, for example Easter and Midnight Mass, and on request, meetings with the ministry team, weddings, christenings and funerals can also be interpreted.
currently works as a qualified freelance Sign Language Interpreter (with MASLI/MRSLI status). He works in all settings where there is the need for Deaf and hearing people to communicate. This includes religious, medical and legal settings, training courses, team meetings and such like.
is a qualified Teacher of the Deaf; she provides support and advice to deaf children, young people, their families and schools in the London Borough of Hillingdon. Sarah was born with a permanent high frequency hearing loss and uses hearing aids to help her access the entire speech spectrum. She has CACDP Stage 2 in British Sign Language.
Irene Lawrence is hearing impaired, compensates with lipreading and has been part of the signing team at St Albans for 5 years and passed a pre-level 4 course. In addition to church, Irene supports deaf archers in Middlesex and enjoys continued learning, attending bi-annual Signs of God summer schools, sign club at Remark and Thanks God it's Friday in Kings Cross.
In the London Diocese there are 479 Anglican churches, currently 8 of which provide signed services. If you would like anymore information about other churches that provide British Sign Language or the work of the Deaf Chaplaincy in the
Other Christian and BSL websites that may be of interest include: