'Preaching in BSL at St Paul's was a marked difference from my usual venues'    

Baptist minister Sue Whalley delivered the first ever known sermon in British Sign Language (BSL) at St Paul's Cathedral on 25 September. She explains how how this momentous occasion came about 

When I commenced my Baptist Ministry training at Northern Baptist College in Manchester in 2019, preaching at this place of worship was not what I expected to be doing on completion.
 
The Deaf Church in Diocese of London had been led and nurtured by the Chaplain for the Deaf, Catherine Carlyon, who has since relocated to a hearing parish in West country in 2020. I was offered a placement under the Church of England when I was unable to find work with Deaf people in the Baptist Church in London. 
 
Last May, a conference took place at St Katharine’s in Limehouse between Deaf Church Leaders and Church of England Clergy to seek the way forward. As a result, it was felt that markers were needed in the London Calendar to focus on Deaf ministry.

Building on the momentum of the BSL Act last April (when British Sign Language was accepted as an official language in England and Wales) and recognising the International Week of Deaf people and International Day of Sign Languages in September; it was suggested that a Deaf person preach at St Paul's Cathedral. This would raise the profile, attract Diocesan attention, identifying with Deaf culture as well as marking my contribution to the Deaf ministry for the three-year duration of my placement. I recognised that this was an honour, but it was with some trepidation that I accepted this commission, accompanied by prayers of request for strength and wisdom.
 
Hence, I found myself at the Cathedral on the said morning feeling overwhelmed by the building and the occasion, but recognising this was an opportunity to get the Deaf Church under the wider radar. It was also a blessing for Deaf people to have a sermon delivered in BSL instead of via a Sign Language Interpreter which takes place at St Paul's occasionally. 
 
Deaf churches are far and few between nationally but an essential part of ministry as we seek to reach the marginalised and excluded with Deaf people travelling distances to take part in accessible services and have fellowship. The event at St Paul's was no different as people attended from Leeds, Derby and Bristol as well as in and around London.

For Deaf people, a sermon in BSL means receiving information first hand and not as an after-thought or delivered via a culture which they have struggled to understand and embrace. This topic was included in the sermon content from Luke 16, covering the role reversal of the rich man and Lazarus as well as the distance between different people groups.
 
Preaching at St Paul's was a marked difference from my usual venue of halls, both secular and church, with a music stand, with a more informal and relaxed format and smaller congregation. A maximum of 30 Deaf people were expected to attend alongside the hearing visitors to the cathedral, and we were blown away that approximately between 60- 70 Deaf people turned up, highlighting the importance and significance of the event. 
 
Many people have asked where I go from here, in truth, I do not know. I am delighted that my fellow students have been ordained, but jobs for disabled Baptist ministers or work with specialist groups are rarely advertised.

I seek to find a hub where Deaf people can worship, learn, grow, not just spiritually, but mentally and physically. This would take place in the form of Deaf church, bible-studies, messy church, mother and toddler groups for both deaf babies and their Deaf parents, among other activities. Through these, Deaf people can learn that the all-encompassing love of Jesus is not just about spiritual salvation but about the whole person, at a place where they are truly welcome and communication is not a barrier.  Where people are identified as Joe, Beulah and Assaf, without labels belonging to specific groups. This is my vision of a new heaven and earth where all are recognised equally as people of God.


Image | Chapter of St Paul's Cathedral

The Revd Sue Whalley is a Baptist minister who trained at Northern Baptist College.

If you have an interest in Sue's ministry or ideas about how to create a hub where Deaf people can worship, learn and grow, not just spiritually, but mentally and physically, contact her here. 

On Sunday 25 September Sue made history when she preached in BSL in St Paul's Cathedral. Recording wasn't allowed in the Cathedral, so Sue kindly recorded her sermon at home for BSL Church Worship.