Church of Scotland to broadcast ecumenical British Sign Language carol service
Published on 10 December 2023 1 minute read
The Church of Scotland will join five other denominations broadcasting a special British Sign Language (BSL) carol service online this Sunday 10 December at 9am.
Organised by Deaf Christians, the event aims to bridge linguistic and cultural barriers, demonstrating the universal appeal of the Christmas story.
With its theme of ‘The Magi', it is hoped that the service will offer a powerful reminder of the journey of discovery, faith, and the profound wonders that await us all in Christ.
For those who are not proficient in BSL, the captions and spoken English translation will be included, ensuring that everyone can fully participate in this festive celebration.
Tom Pearson, the spokesperson for ChristianBSL.com, the organisation partnering with the denominations for this service, highlighted the significance of this event.
"Having filmed the service it became clear that this was a perfect opportunity for ecumenical unity, celebrating Christmas together.
"I am delighted that five of the UK's major Christian denominations have agreed to platform the Christian BSL Carol Service at the same time on the same day.
"The story of Christmas is universal, transcending languages and borders. In our service the message of Christmas comes to life through British Sign Language, bringing hope and joy to all."
Other denominations taking part include The Church of England, The Church in Wales, The Methodist Church of Great Britain, and The Baptist Union of Great Britain (Baptists Together).
The service is embedded in this article or you can watch via the Church of Scotland Facebook page.