[Nfb-krafters-korner] two Ot'S

[Lauren Merryfield]

Hi,
Two churches ago, my choir director sent me electronic versions of the words and even a link to an example of the songs, if he found one. He always took the time to answer my questions during rehearsal. He was big on inclusion and if I needed a chair, I had one. When we were lighting candles for our Christmas service and the woman next to me handed the candle past me, he stepped over and lit mine for me. When I made up a new song, he let me sing it at one of the services. I've been spoiled. I've had more than one choir director listen to me and make things more accessible to me. He thought it was neat that I used braille and that I could use a computer. He also liked it that I could sing, haha. 

Last year, at our Camp Meeting, they had a choir of people who showed up the last day to rehearse. Several of the young men on their staff helped me get where I needed to on the risers and helped me back down. No one stopped me from joining them and singing. 

So I think my church people are being snobbish and just waiting for me to be healed. I'm waiting for them to really include me.

Thanks,
Lauren, who really doesn't want to look for another church

Blessings in Jesus’ name:
My digital evangelism blog is at:
www dot ask in jesus name dot org (you need to retype it) 
Psalm 34:1-2 I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make her boast in the Lord: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. 
Advice from my cats:”meow when you feel like it.” 




-----Original Message-----
From: Nfb-krafters-korner [mailto:nfb-krafters-korner-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of jordanj229--- via Nfb-krafters-korner
Sent: Sunday, October 25, 2015 7:34 PM
To: List for blind crafters and artists <nfb-krafters-korner at nfbnet.org>
Cc: jordanj229 at verizon.net
Subject: Re: [Nfb-krafters-korner] two Ot'S

Hello Sandra
My name is Joanne Jordan and I sing in my church choir. I am very blessed. My choir director sends me electronic files so I can put them I  can put them in Braille. I am an alto. I learn my part very well.
I would contact Tom Anderson because this is not going to go away on its own.
If you need more information you can send me an email at jordanj229 at verizon.net.

Sent from my iPhone

> On Oct 25, 2015, at 10:17 PM, Lauren Merryfield via Nfb-krafters-korner <nfb-krafters-korner at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Hi,
> How do you get your church people in charge to let you sing with them? I have been able to talk every other church into it until my current one. They have a professional-sounding band and worship song leader. I asked to sing and I had to audition; a first. I passed the audition. I went to a couple rehearsals but the pastor felt like there might be too many complications for me to sing with them. Part of that is that I have foot issues and cannot stand for long. My solution would be something as ordinary as a chair behind me. But they consider that kind of thing a "complication." 
> 
> Now, I've written a song (I've done that since childhood) well, not written; composed. I asked if I could teach it to the band and praise singers and the pastor said I could ask our worship leader but I probably would not be able to. It was like he was deciding before ever hearing it, that it would be no. 
> 
> They always say "we have someone else who does that already" or "we have that taken care of" or other ways of saying "we don't need you; stay in the pew and that's okay but don't ask to do anything." Kind of thing. 
> 
> I know this is considered by some to be O T but I have the same issue with crafts. So many sighted people don't even want to try to teach me how to make things since I am totally blind since birth. That's why I'm glad we have this division and list. They don't believe I can do something until they see it; like "seeing is believing" is it. Then when I do something like crocheting, they act like it's so amazing. Well, it isn't. 
> 
> Music is a craft, so I don't consider it off topic. I'm about ready to put the president of the Communities of Faith, Tom Anderson, in touch with my church. I don't want to ruffle feathers (not too much anyway) or ruin my stay there, but I've been there a year-and-a-half and they only want me to worship with them, from my pew. Well, they'd like me to tithe, too, of course. 
> 
> I really like my church but I feel like I'm being pushed against a brick wall. 
> Thanks,
> Lauren
> 
> Blessings in Jesus’ name:
> My digital evangelism blog is at:
> www dot ask in jesus name dot org (you need to retype it) Psalm 34:1-2 
> I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make her boast in the Lord:

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