Deaf Ministries Honored and Empowered at UMCD 2025 Conference in Elkridge
By Rev. Leo Yates
Accessibility and Inclusivity Coordinator
Hands were waving in the air with excitement as each state present was announced at the 2025 Conference of the United Methodist Congress of the Deaf (UMCD), a Deaf caucus of The United Methodist Church, held September 12-13 in Elkridge, MD.
The conference was hosted in the Baltimore-Washington Conference (BWC), with Magothy Deaf Church serving as the host church. Mary Ann Deters, the President of the UMCD Board, opened the worship service with a hearty welcome. Conference participants were welcomed with video greetings by Bishop LaTrelle Easterling, Bishop Tracey Malone of the Council of Bishops, Bishop Peggy Johnson, and General Secretary Roland Fernandez. Bishop Delores Williamston of the Louisiana Annual Conference was present and presided over Holy Communion with Rev. Giovanni Arroyo of the General Commission on Religion and Race.
Lifetime Deaf ministry leaders honored were Roy and Carrie White of Frederick and Florence Johnson of Pasadena.
District Superintendent, Rev. Sarah Schlieckert of the Harbor District in the BWC led the remembrance of leaders who had passed since the last conference, which were Tim Vermande, Tim Posedly, and Catherine Vacarrino. Worship participants included individuals who are Deaf, hard of hearing, late-deafened, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled, and hearing persons. Rev. Stacey Cole-Wilson, of the Baltimore-Washington Conference, was also in attendance to support the opening worship.
The conference had presenters speaking on various topics, such as the Claggett Statement (about Deaf Liberation Theology) by Rev. Kirk VanGilder, an Elder in the BWC, and Introduction to DeafBlind Ministries by co-presenters Lisa Sudmann-Stannard (a DeafBlind presenter) and Rev. Dr. Leo Yates, Jr., a Deacon and pastor of Magothy Deaf Church.
Members of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Ministries Committee of The United Methodist Church (DHM) also presented information about their committee and the process for applying for Deaf ministry grants. The UMCD Board appreciates its ongoing partnership with the DHM Committee. In addition, the conference offered a Certified Lay Servant Advanced track in Spiritual Gifts, which supports Deaf leadership in United Methodist churches and their communities, co-taught by Alma Andrews and Sarah Yates, both members of Magothy Deaf Church of Pasadena, MD.
Furthermore, some participants visited and toured the Lovely Lane Museum in Baltimore, led by Rev. Bonnie McCubbin, director of museums and pilgrimage.
During the award's luncheon on Saturday, Magothy Deaf Church was awarded the Moylan Award, named after Rev. Daniel Moylan, a Deaf Elder in the Baltimore-Washington Conference, for the church's excellence and commitment to Deaf Ministries. Rev. Leo was honored with the Hasenstab Award, named after Rev. Phillip Hasesnstab, the first deaf ordained Elder in The Methodist Episcopal Church, for his dedication and excellence in leadership in Deaf Ministries.
Other highlights of the conference were the presentations by members of the Association of Ministers with Disabilities (a Disability caucus of The UMC), the Disability Ministries Committee, and Love Your Neighbor Coalition (LYNC). In addition, General Secretaries Dr. Ashely Boggan of the General Commission on Archives & History (GCAH) and Rev. Giovanni Arroyo of the General Commission on Religion & Race gave presentations to the Deaf caucus about their agencies.
Bishop Williamston, along with the two General Secretaries and Rev. Cole-Wilson, anointed the conference participants to encourage their servant ministries and leadership in their Deaf ministries within their local churches and Deaf communities.
The conference concluded with the UMCD business meeting, in which the Certified Lay Servant (CLS) class and instructors were presented. The class included participants from Maryland and Texas. Clergy members present, including Rev. Lisa Holder of Christ Church of the Deaf in Baltimore, came forward, laid hands on the class, while Rev. Yates prayed over the entire class.
Bishop Williamston closed the conference with a powerful prayer and offered a benediction.
* Slideshow of pictures. UMCD is a Deaf caucus of The United Methodist Church. The Deaf & Hard of Hearing Ministries Committee provides guidance, resources, and grants to United Methodist churches.