In 2002, a group of deaf women decided to start a women’s retreat for deaf women in the Pacific Northwest. The deaf women are members of a completely different people group with their own rich language and culture.
In the past, deaf women attended the hearing women’s retreat and enjoyed the hotel, meals and meeting hearing ladies. But it was a challenge for them to focus on the speaker and interpreter.
Since starting the Deaf Women’s Retreat in 2002, these women have been meeting at a different place every fall. About 20 women attend each retreat, and they come from as far as the East Coast.
Raising funds for their retreat is challenging. They want every deaf woman who wants to be there to be able to attend. They collect newspaper to be recycled and turn in soda cans and water bottles, bazaars, garage sales, but it is never enough.
The Deaf Christian Women’ Ministry committee would make and/or buy gifts for the ladies out of their own pockets. This year for the first time, they will be selling shirts with their logo on them. They are hoping and praying they will be able to earn enough money so they can pay the expense for a speaker from another state.
The deaf ladies enjoy this family reunion experience as they meet each other with excitement, smiles and lots of hugs. The last day of the retreat is difficult because they had a weekend of spiritual fellowship with other deaf women and the bond is strong.
This year's Deaf Women’s Retreat will be held in Newberg, Ore., in September, and the ladies need a bus to take the women to the coast for the day. They do not have the funds to make this happen as it will be stretch for them to afford a good speaker.
If you would like to help sponsor the upcoming Deaf Christian Women’s Retreat, you can send a tax deductible donation by making your check out to the Tabernacle Church, mark it for Deaf Christian Women’s Ministries and mail it to 26 SW Condor Way, Portland, OR 97329.
This year’s retreat will be at Camp Tilikum in Newberg on Sept. 22–26, 2019. For more information, contact Bunny Hovey by text to 541-905-0995 or by email.
Terrie Leen Griebel, Oregon Conference women’s ministries coordinator, on behalf of Bunola Hovey and the Deaf Christian Women’s Ministry
