The Ministry with Deaf People in the Diocese of Leeds serves the Deaf community in the areas around Leeds, Bradford, Wakefield, Huddersfield and Ripon, and the Yorkshire Dales.
The new Minister with Deaf People in the Diocese of Leeds, appointed in November 2022, is the Revd Tracey Raistrick, currently based in Keighley. Find a video below of Tracey and the Bishop of Leeds, Nick Baines, following the announcement of her appointment.
We have other active licensed clergy in the Diocese with excellent sign language skills.
There are groups meeting in across the Diocese who worship using British Sign Language (BSL). These worship services are led by Deaf people and hearing friends fluent in BSL. We are often joined by friends who don’t sign but wherever possible we still provide access as our services are interpreted into spoken English.
There are several mainstream churches where groups of Deaf people attend and qualified, registered Sign Language interpreters make sure Deaf people can access everything.
Sign Language Services
September Services
Sunday 1st September, 10.30am at Christ Church, Pellon, Halifax - Interpreted
Sunday 8th September, 4.30pm at Fountains church, Bradford - Interpreted
Sunday 15th September, 10.30am at Christ Church, Pellon, Halifax - BSL
Sunday 22nd September, 4.30pm at Fountains church, Bradford (Special birthday celebration) - Interpreted
Wednesday 25th September, 10.30am at Bradford Deaf Club - BSL
Sunday 29th September, 10.30am at Christ Church, Pellon, Halifax - Interpreted
October Services
Sunday 13th October, 10.30am at Christ Church, Pellon, Halifax - TBC
Sunday 13th October, 4.30pm at Fountains church, Bradford - Interpreted
Wednesday 23rd October, 10.30am at Bradford Deaf Club - BSL
November Services
Sunday 3rd November, 10.30am at Christ Church, Pellon, Halifax - Interpreted
Sunday 10th November, 4.30pm at Fountains church, Bradford - Interpreted
Sunday 17th November, 10.30am at Christ Church, Pellon, Halifax - BSL
Wednesday 27th November, 10.30am at Bradford Deaf Club - BSL
Recorded Services
Sign Language Services by area
Bradford:
- Holy Communion held at Bradford Deaf Centre, 25 Hallfield Road, BD1 3RP at 10.45 am on the fourth Wednesday of each month or as announced.
- A BSL Interpreted Service at Fountains Church on the second Sunday of the Month at 4.30 pm. Fountains Church is located in the city centre between Little Horton Lane and Chester street, just next to the Alhambra Theatre. The church is easy to get to via public transport and is a 15min walk from Bradford Interchange. If you’re travelling by car, there are a number of nearby car parks which can be viewed here.
Halifax:
- Christ Church, Church Lane, Pellon, HX2 0EF provides 2 services a month. The first Sunday of each month at 10.30am is an interpreted service. The third Sunday of each month at 10.30am is a service led fully in BSL by Rev Tracey Raistrick, Minister with Deaf People.
Keighley:
- Coffee and Conversation Group. 10.30am-11.30am on alternate Mondays at Keighley Parish Office, 8-10 North Street, Keighley, BD21 3SE. Contact the Revd Tracey Raistrick for details.
Leeds:
- Services in Leeds are currently suspended.
Wakefield
- Occasional services at Wakefield Cathedral are interpreted.
Weddings , Funerals and Baptisms
We are keen to ensure Deaf people have access to Church of England Weddings, Funerals and Baptisms in our Diocese. To secure an interpreter, please contact deafminister@leeds.anglican.org.
We regret we cannot provide or fund interpreters for funerals or weddings etc. not led by licenced clergy in the Diocese of Leeds.
Your Local Church & School
We want to make sure every Church is inclusive. Not only does it open the riches of the Christian Faith to Deaf people, but the use of Sign Language enhances worship, and the presence of the Deaf community enriches the Church. We are keen to establish ‘centres of excellence’ in parish churches which are interested in building links with Deaf people. We can also help schools explore the Bible and faith in Sign Language.
Volunteers
We welcome volunteers with and without Sign Language skills. If you can assist with helping Deaf people to travel to Church events or can offer your communication skills we'd love to hear from you. Please see the contact information below.
Newsletter
If you want to hear the latest news about services and events and Deaf ministry, please email deafminister@leeds.anglican.org and we’ll add you to our mailing list.
Contact
For more information about Deaf ministries in the Diocese of Leeds, please contact: deafminister@leeds.anglican.org