This column is written for both hearing and deaf people, because all of us have a place in sharing the Good News with the majority of deaf people who do not have saving faith.

About a week ago, annual deaf ministry meetings took place in Madison. There were several groups meeting in turn: ILDA, the international organization; LDMS (Lutheran Deaf Mission Society, convening its second annual meeting of affiliated congregations); the Executive Committee of LDMS; and the South WI Area Branch leadership observing the LDMS meeting and having an opportunity to bring questions to Rev. Rodney Rynearson, the Executive Director of LDMS.
These are exciting and strenuous times, because we are attempting to accomplish several major goals at once: to restructure and revitalize deaf ministry as a mission supported by direct contributions; to continue and expand Bible and theology courses for emerging deaf leadership; to create workable ministry models for deaf congregations; and to provide something of a model for other districts of LCMS to use as a guide for their future involvement.

Both deaf and hearing people can access more information through websites directed particularly to you:

Deaf Pah! Is for deaf people; it is the name given to a website, to a series of Bible study courses, and to a newsletter for the deaf. Go online to www.deafpah.org for more information on classes or to download or link to other related sources, including signed resources.
    Lutheran Deaf Mission Society's
website -- www.deaftdms.org - defines the mission of LDMS and provides links to the documents that establish and structure our outreach.

Locally: In October Rev. John Reinke will return to our circuit again for visits with some of our local congregations. We expect to see him in the pulpit at Shepherd of the Hills one weekend; there will be other venues for learning and participating in deaf mission as well.

Pastor Reinke says that Shepherd of the Hills has one of the most active connections to deaf ministry in our District! The hearing congregation is becoming more aware of the need for deaf ministry, and the deaf who also gather here are more actively pursuing Bible study and outreach than in some other groups. When he comes to our congregation next month, Pastor Reinke hopes to build. upon our understanding and will go into more depth.

This fall we will have a couple of opportunities here to raise money for Lutheran Deaf Missions:
•    The annual LWML Craft and Bake Sale on October 11_12th will donate its proceeds to LDMS;
•    There will also be a Honey Sale (via Dakota Boys' Ranch) which will culminate on November 14th. Lisa Kerr is coordinating our participation and hopes to bring this fundraiser to much of our circuit.

Look for more information on both of these events!