Deaf people wanting to train for Christian ministry can now join a new course being taught in sign language.

It follows a partnership between the University of Chester and the Committee for Ministry of and among Deaf and Disabled People, a committee of the Archbishops' Council of the Church of England.

The Revd, Philip Maddock, Adviser for Ministry of and among Deaf People, explained: "This is the first course of its type to be held in the UK. In the past it has been difficult for deaf people to access training in Christian ministry courses because they have been exclusively taught in the spoken word and deaf people have had to learn through interpreters.

"The Certificate in Christian Ministry course will, subject to validation, be taught in British Sign Language. It will train people for Christian ministry and lead to recognised qualifications. The first course will begin in January 2006 and can take up to 12 people."

The ecumenical course will be open to lay people who use British Sign Language and wish to train for ministry in their local church.

The course will be delivered by the 'Signs of God' organisation through one-day seminars, residential weekends and home-based, on-line learning with local tutor support. In the first year, two modules will be offered, 'Reading the Bible' and 'Liturgy and Worship'.

The training will involve attendance at one-day seminars and at a weekend residential seminar. Further learning and completion of assignments will be carried out at home, with the support of a tutor and by working online.

Applicants are being advised to book early. Students will need to have a good level of British Sign Language (BSL) to access the course, and to have the support of their church minister or chaplain for their application.

Application forms - and a video with this information on BSL - are available from:

The Revd Philip Maddock Committee for Ministry of and among Deaf and Disabled People, Church House, Great Smith Street, LONDON SW1P 3NZ

Email: philip.maddock@c-of-e.org.uk