The best view of Edinburgh from Calton Hill, which is not far from Greenside Church and the ‘Trust Housing Association where Albany Deaf Church meets on a Sunday. But you must be energetic to climb it!
Welcome
- Welcome to Albany Deaf Church in Edinburgh
- Our minister has been with us since 1999
- Our minister is also community minister for the Deaf in a much larger Deaf parish than that of the city of Edinburgh. His Deaf parish is about one third of Scotland- from North to South- Tayside to the Borders and from East to West from Edinburgh to Stirling.
- His Deaf parish includes Fife Deaf Church in Kirkcaldy & Borders Deaf of Trinity Church in Galashiels –all Church of Scotland; and Dundee Deaf Church. In practice we are really just one parish
British Sign Language (BSL)
- For us the word ‘Deaf’ with a capital D means the majority of us are profoundly deaf. We use BSL inclusive of finger spelling as our principal means of communication. In our website we use ‘Deaf’ as a shorthand way to describe ourselves. At the same time some of us lip-read
- We do not get much if any benefit from using hearing aids. Most of us are unaware of sound although some of us can hear a little sound but within that cannot distinguish words. For us signing is a necessity. We understand written English. BSL is our first language.
- In the Deaf Church we also have some deaf people whom we describe as ‘hard of hearing’. They do not need to sign and have little if any knowledge of BSL. Fife Deaf Church has quite a number of hard of hearing people.
- Often we have Deaf and hard of hearing together worshipping at the same service. Our minister signs and speaks at the same time. Many of the hard of hearing lip-read but we ensure that there is a loop system to help them.
- In our midst we have Deaf/blind using the Deaf/blind adaptation of BSL & finger spelling.
- We are a happy family of Deaf and hard of hearing. We like ‘kind chats, a good heart and chat all about our Deaf church to be happy and smile’.
Some Albany Deaf Church members a few years ago
What we believe & how we try to live
- We believe in God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit one God. God shows his love to us in Jesus
- Not only as a church do we worship God but we try to follow the example, teaching and life of Jesus in practical ways.
- Our mission is to spread the gospel, the good news of Jesus to Deaf and hard of hearing in signs/words/lip-reading and action. We have a duty to obey the holy command to love God and our neighbours.
Deaf Choir
- We have a Deaf choir called ‘The Edinburgh Signing Choir’ shared with the Edinburgh Deaf Catholic Group.
- They sign at special services, festivals and concerts. They are in great demand.
Pastoral Visits
- Our minister visits the housebound and the sick Deaf, Deaf/blind and hard of hearing in their homes, nursing and care homes and hospitals not just in Edinburgh but throughout our Deaf parish.
- Deaf and hard of hearing also visit in this way.
The only deaf minister in the Presbyterian Church of East Africa with our session clerk on his visit to Albany Deaf Church in 2007
Links With Other Deaf Churches Abroad
- Swedish Deaf Church within Maria Church in Stockholm-. They visited us in 2009. In March 2010 our minister met the church organist of Maria Church during her stay in Edinburgh
- Kenyan Deaf Church- the only Deaf minister in the Presbyterian Church of East Africa from Mombassa (Makupa parish) visited us in 2007. Not only does he work in Kenya but spreads the gospel to the Deaf in neighbouring countries of Congo, Burundi, Rwanda and Uganda and with others brings aid to help Deaf people in 3rd world acute poverty. When we can, we send donations to the Kenyan Deaf Church to help their deaf minister in his work particularly to bring aid to needy Deaf people.
Albany Deaf Church
- Like all Church of Scotland congregations we are a charity (Charity SC018321)
Donations
- If you wish to help us in our work with the Deaf. Deaf/blind & hard of hearing you can send us a donation.
- Write your cheque to “Albany Deaf Church” and send it to The Treasurer, Albany Deaf Church, 19 Avon Place, Edinburgh EH4 6RE.
- Your donation will be gratefully received and acknowledged.