[Faith-talk] I'm a newby

[Linda Mentink]

Hi Ashley,

Welcome back.

I don't use my cane during services, as they prefer to guide me in 
and out of the choir loft and up to the podium to sing solos.

We remain seated for communion.

There are three blind women in the church. We all have note takers, 
so we carry our Bibles and hymnals with us and look things up as we 
need them. We sing only hymns and gospel songs, and they are well-loved here.

I don't know if there would be any jobs available in your field, but 
you might want to look. Not intending to find a job makes it sound 
like you want the government to give you a monthly handout, and I 
don't think that's what you want to do. It might happen because you 
can't find employment, but do your part and look, at least. And, of 
course, pray. Smile.

Blessings,

Linda

At 02:35 PM 5/10/2010, you wrote:
>Hi all,
>
>I'm rejoining this list after a few years off; sometimes its hard to 
>keep up with lists.  My name is Ashley Bramlett and I've been 
>visually impaired all my life.  I have been involved off and on with 
>nfb since I was a teen.  I am a young adult in transition.
>
>I finished my BA degree last year at Marymount.  Now I am searching 
>for employment and volunteer work.  Due to having little work 
>experience and the economic situation I don't intend to find a job 
>soon.  So I think volunteering will be a good way to give to the 
>community and get some professional skills under my belt.
>
>I am a Christian but kind of in between churches.  The medium sized 
>church I was raised in gets kind of dull to me at least.  Yet the 
>more contempoary churches are very big and impersonal.  I'm going to 
>that kind right now, a non denominational evangelical church.
>I am also interested in reading, music, surfing the web, bowling and 
>fitness.
>
>I'm eager to discuss how blindness have impacted your participation 
>in religious activities.  If you go up to take comunion, where do 
>you put your cane?  Are your hymn books in braille?  Do you know 
>when the offering plate gets to you?  I'm with a family member who 
>sees and they tell  me and/or I use my remaining vision.  But I 
>don't know how a totally blind person would do it.
>Growing up, some matterial was ordered for me in braille during 
>Sunday school as well as the hymn books.  Surprisingly at this big 
>church no matterials are brailled despite their access ministry 
>outreach, a ministry to serve disabled people.  I'm going to inquire 
>if they can put some things in braille.
>
>Take care.
>
>Ashley
>_______________________________________________
>Faith-talk mailing list
>Faith-talk at nfbnet.org
>http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/faith-talk_nfbnet.org
>To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info 
>for Faith-talk:
>http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/faith-talk_nfbnet.org/mentink%40frontiernet.net
>
>No virus found in this incoming message.
>Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
>Version: 9.0.819 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2866 - Release Date: 
>05/10/10 13:26:00