SEEDS - DEAF MISSION CHURCH, UMC NEWS!
July 5, 2026
10066 Marsh Lane, Dallas, TX 75229
CELEBRATING Our First Year as a Deaf MIssion Church UMC
"Living Christ' Love in the diverse Deaf community"
Please come in person or watch our worship service this Sunday at 9:30am Central Time by clicking on one of the following links
Facebook or SEEDS or on You Tube
Rev. Tom Hudspeth signs "In the Name (of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit) before pouring baptism waters on Martina Carter Estrada, June 28, 2026. Martina is from Clovis, New Mexico, and she had been watching us online for worship and receiving bible lessons from Judy Carter on ZOOM. We laid hands during the prayer for baptism. Photo by James Gates Photography
Guests Soo and Micah from St. Paul, Minnesota introduce themselves. They found our Deaf Mission Church on Google search while visiting family in Dallas, Texas. June 28, 2026. Photo by James Gates Photography
Naomi Rapp (far right) and Edwin Carter (far left) welcomes guests, Sylvia Urritia from Austin, Texas and her sister and brother in law from DFW area, June 28, 2026 (Photo by James Gates)
Judy Carter, Certified Lay Servant, signs "preaching" during her sermon "The Church God Dreams Of." Photo by James Gates, June 21, 2028. Judy gave a wonderful sermon of how the early Church in Acts 2:42-47 shows God's Dream in action.
On June 28, 2026, we worshipped with 58 persons (45 in person - including 8 CODAS, and 13 online) from: Texas - Dallas, Arlington, Austin, Carrollton, Duncanville, Farmers Branch, Fort Stockton, Frisco, Garland, Holly Lake, Irving, Lancaster, Livingston, McKinney, Plano, Texas City and The Colony. From states of: Florida, Maryland, Minnesota, New Mexico, and Oklahoma. From the countries of: Ghana.
***************************************************
Sunday, July 5, 2026
9:30am-10:30am (Central USA Time) ON-LINE worship or on FACEBOOK and IN PERSON
-
Tash Gates, Certified Lay Servant, preaching "Up, In, Out" Ephesians 4:1-6, 11-18 and Romans 12:9-19
- Holy Communion - led by Rev. Tom Hudspeth
- Worship Hosts: Edward Davis, Tash Gates, Jonathan Herrera, Rosy Herrera, Christian Hudspeth, Naomi Rapp, Brenda & Joel Rodriguez VOICE Interpreter: Elisa Baysinger
-
WE HAVE A NEW way of giving on-line through ChurchTrac. Pleaseclick here!
-
Or give by check "SEEDS" and put in the offering plate or mail to "SEEDS, 9200 Inwood Road, Dallas, TX 75220.
10:45am to 2pm: Fellowship and Games as we celebrate our FIRST anniversary as a SEEDS/Deaf Mission Church UMC, and continue celebrations of Independence Day, followed by LUNCH grilled hamburgers, hot dogs, sides and watermelon!
10am: Lovers Lane UMC combined Modern Worship, African Fellowship and Traditional worship service in the Sanctuary - live captions on the Sanctuary BIG Screen
- Rev. DeDe Jones, preaching, "We Just Click - Clicking Into God's Story" Ephesians 4:1-6, 11-16
**************************************************
UPDATE! July 5, 2026
Pastor Tom Hudspeth's report on new home search for Deaf Mission Church
Preaching, Pastor and President of SEEDS/Deaf Mission Church UMC, Tom Hudspeth Sunday, June 14, 2026. (photo by James Gates photography)
Conversations continue for our new home - will we stay or will we move? After the July 4th holidays, Pastor Tom anticipates conversations with Grace Academy to begin, after Grace have finished discussing lease arrangements with the Creative School. Also, Pastor Tom has received communications from Agape Memorial UMC, Dallas. We have received a welcome from the pastor at Oaklawn UMC, Dallas. We are thankful for the care and concern from our sister churches for our Deaf Mission Church UMC.
We have five teams to help us with our move: Prayer & Spiritual formation; Location; Inventory & Moving; Livestream; Publicity & Care. If God is calling you to serve on one of these teams, please contact Pastor Tom.
We "STAY TOGETHER RIGHT!"
*********************************************************************************************************
THANK YOU!! For Your SUPPORT of
UPDATED June 28, 2026!
WE THANK SCOTT POWELL and Melinda Powell for their guidance and work in raising $14,664.99 (net $11,470.99) from the 2026 Golf Tournament. WAVE HANDS!!
(Melinda and Scott at our ADA communication rights presentation on June 28, 2026. Photo by James Gates photography)
We appreciate all who assisted in this tournament, our 37 golfers, those who brought and bagged items for swag bags, welcoming golfers, delivering water, setting and cleaning up for silent Auction.
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO MAKE ONE MORE CONTRIBUTION TO THE GOLF Fundraiser
************************************************************
SEE the GOODNESS of GOD at Deaf Mission Church UMC
Valerie Barker, from the Deaf Action Center of Dallas, gives a presentation on ADA communication rights to the Deaf Mission Church UMC, on Sunday, June 28, 2026. Photo by James Gates Photography
****************************
See this Story about our Deaf Mission Church
Debbie McFarland Crabb a FaceBook church reporter, surprised us with an inspiring description of her visit at our Deaf Mission Church UMC on April 19, 2026. To see her story, go to our Facebook Page for the pinned story "No need to speak, No need for words" click here
************************************************************************
Come be part of Christ's JOY!
Some of our 49 in-person (and 13 online) participants on Easter Sunday, April 5, 2026
(Photo by James Gates)
______________________________ ________
Our Next DEAF PRAYER CHAT
We are taking a break this month of June, and will resume on Wednesday, July 8, 2026 at 6:30pm
This will be a prayer session led by participants
Contact Pastor Tom at to get invite to Google Meet
______________________________________________________________________
"Serving Educating Evangelizing Deaf Seekers"
WE WILL HAVE a BOARD Retreat on Saturday, July 24, 2026
at Walnut Hill from 10am to 2pm in the Parlor, including lunch.
THEN
Our Next regular Board Meeting is Saturday, August 1, 2026
at Walnut Hill Church, Parlor at 10:30am to 12noon
On June 6, 2026, our SEEDS Board met at Walnut Hill Church campus. Beginning with those online (in the screen), then left to right are: Chrissy Herron (Bryant, Arkansas, intepreter); Bishop Peggy Johnson (Virginia); Judy Carter (Kingsland, Texas); Sarah Simpson (interpreter); Tash Gates, chair; Rev. Uwezo Mwanjala (Lovers Lane staff liaison); Batsi Mukarakate (seated, secretary); Gail Fekel (advisor); Ashley Trevino (vice president); Mary Kay Hudspeth (advisor); Kendrick Lewis (board member); Rev. Dr. Tom Hudspeth (president and pastor); and Becky Barnebey (board member). Also joining us, but not pictured was Tonnietta Jackson (board member). Apologies that day were Rev. Caesar Rentie, Naomi Rapp and Elisa Baysinger. Photo by James Gates Photography.
We represent the ONLY Deaf Mission Church UMC in the State of Texas.
Our Vision statement is "Living Christ's Love in the diverse Deaf community."
SEE NEWS FROM COLLINS PREMPEH
FORMER SEEDS SCHOLAR AND THE FIRST DEAF GLOBAL UMC MISSIONARY OF THE DEAF
IN ZIMBABWE AND BEYOND
______________________________ ______________________________ _______
Consider a legacy Gift to Our Deaf Mission Church!
We have three Deaf Ministry Funds in the Lovers Lane Foundation
The Laura Moore Fund for Deaf Christian Leadership Development
-supports training, education, and internships for Deaf Christian Leadership, in memory of Laura Moore, a Deaf member of Lovers Lane
The Deaf Ministry Trust
supports new ministry, missions, retreats, and projects with the Deaf
The Deaf Guardianship Fund
Supports Deaf Ministry unexpected expenses, hosting conferences, projects, mission trips, etc.
Click Here to Give to a Deaf Endowment Fund
______________________________ ____________________
More Scenes from Deaf Mission Church UMC
Kobe, one of our CODAS, participated in our button making VBS activity on June 28, 2026. Photo by James Gates
The photo of Rev. Charles Denman, founding pastor of Walnut Hill United Methodist Church, hangs above the pulpit he used to preach from (right center). Since the last Sunday of December 2025, our Deaf Mission Church has worshipped in a very quiet building, as the former Walnut Hill congregation and members have found other church homes, such as at Lovers Lane UMC, Christ UMC (Farmers Branch), First Richardson UMC, Cochran Chapel UMC, University Park UMC, and others. We have missed our hearing friends in Christ. The Creative School will continue to use this building until the end of May 2027, after which they plan to move to Cochran Chapel UMC's site into a new school building that is being built. (James Gates Photograhy)
Naomi Rapp shows how to make pin-backed buttons, June 28, 2026, Photo by James Gates photography.
Our Deaf Mission Church UMC is an Extension Ministry of the Horizon Texas Conference and a Partner in Mission with Lovers Lane UMC.
We are self supporting and depend upon the generosity of our Deaf Mission Church members, other United Methodist Churches in our Conference, grants and generous donors.
___________________________________________________________
OUR 2026 GIVING HOW?
Gifts given during Deaf MIssion Church Worship (cash or check). Checks should be made to "SEEDS." To mail a check, send to "SEEDS, 9200 Inwood Road, Dallas, TX 75220
WE NOW HAVE A NEW ON-LINE GIVING LINK THROUGH CHURCHTRAC
or scan HERE
AND GIVE TO OUR FOUNDATION FUNDS
To give online, use this QR code and select "SEEDS" on the "LLUMC Foundation" page
Consider giving a percentage of your income in 2026. Give joyfully and thoughtfully.
If you are not giving now, take a first step of 3% giving, and gradually increase your giving each year to 10%.
______________________________ ______________________________ __
Deaf Mission Church Leaders & Servant Team Meetings
Our Vision is "Sharing God's Love in Christ with the d/Deaf Near and Far"
Our meetings have been moved to the Third Sundays of the month, from 10:45am to 11:45am
______________________________ ________________
YATOSHA Deaf School Project, Sengerema, Tanzania
WE GIVE THANKS FOR NEW SUPPORT FROM
THE EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA ANNUAL CONFERENCE! They have raised $3260 last month
We now have received $37,759 and additional pledges to $62,759
Our 2028 year (or sooner) goal is $625,000 to start construction!
Keep praying & giving for this project!
Dedication marker at the site of Yatosha Deaf School, Sengerema, Tanzania,
near Lake Victoria. Pray and help support the building of this school.
Masons lay blocks for water tower at the Deaf School Site, April 2026. Funds of $5000 for this water tower project came from United Women in Faith in the Virginia Annual Conference
A drawing of the proposed Yatosha Deaf School Campus, by Zach Copeland
Donations for the building project may be sent to the Advance Special of Deaf & Hard of Hearing Ministries of the General Board of Global Ministries. Please email to thudspeth@llumc.org to note your donation. We have a NEW FB page! Follow us on Facebook
Scan this QR Code for our Yatosha Brochure
OUR PROJECT TEAM MEMBERS ARE:
Rev. Uwezo Mwanjala, Lovers Lane representative and Swahili Interpreter
Zach Copeland, architect, member of Lovers Lane
Rev. Dr. Tom Hudspeth, President of SEEDS
Nyasinde "Pablo" Rashid, Director of Yatosha Deaf Ministry, Tanzania Annual Conference
Rev. Isaka Ibrahim, District Superintendent, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania
Rehema Lahunda, treasurer, Yatosha Deaf Ministry, Tanzania Annual Conference
______________________________ ______________________________ _
See United Methodist Deaf Ministry Resources
Click Here for the Spring 2026 UM-DHM Newsletter!
From the United Methodist Committee on Deaf and Hard of Hearing Ministries
What do United Methodists believe?
See it in ASL! Go to this link and see 50 things about Christian beliefs and United Methodists.
****************************** *************
We will provide child care during Deaf Mission Church worship services at Walnut Hill Church until we move to our next church home. We are keeping the same nursery workers, Ruth and Delila
***************************** ****************************** ***********
Scriptures for July 5, 2026
9:30 am: Deaf Fellowship livestream on FACEBOOK. and in person at Walnut Hill Church, Fellowship Hall.
- Rev. Tom Hudspeth preaching, July 12, 2026: "Deborah or Esther - Start Clean" Matthew 3:13-17
11am: Lovers Lane UMC, Sanctuary worship
- Rev. Eddie Rester, preaching "Deborah or Esther - Start Clean" Matthew 3:13-17
Upcoming Scriptures for Sunday worship!
- July 19, 2026: "Abraham - Trust the Process" Genesis 12:1-9
- July 26, 2026: "David - Own Your Mess" 2 Samuel 12:1-13
- August 2, 2026: "Jacob - Wrestle it Out" Genesis 32:22-32
- August 9, 2026: "Practicing the Way - Apprentice to Jesus" Matthew 14:24-26
- August 16, 2026: "Practicing the Way - Jesus" John 15:1-8
- August 23, 2026: "Practicing the Way - Become Like Him" Luke 6:39-40, Philippians 2:5
****************************** ************************
Save the Dates!
Wednesday, July 22, 2026: Horizon Texas United Methodist NIght at Texas Rangers baseball game, 7:05pm. First 25 people to pay $10 will receive a discounted ticket.For more information click here
Sunday, August 2, 2026: Deaf Mission Church swim party!! At the Farmers Branch City pool "Frog Pond", 14032 Heartside, Farmers Branch, TX 75234. 2pm to 4pm at Pavilion A. Cost is $5 per person over age 3.
IN 2027!
The Horizon Texas Conference will be meeting June 10-13, 2027 (Thursday night to Sunday) in Denton, Texas. Save this date!
United Methodist Congress of the Deaf, July 16-18, 2027 at the LaQuinta by Wyndham New Orleans Airport, New Orleans, Louisiana. This conference will include Certified Lay Servant training and sightseeing. Let's have a good group from SEEDS/Deaf Mission Church be there!
______________________________ __
2026 Deaf Mission Church Team
Ministry Team Coordinator
Judy Carter
Livestream Worship Operators and Online Worship Hosts
Judy Carter, Rachel Joyner, Melinda Powell
Hospitality and Worship Hosts
Raymond Alvarez, Naomi Rapp, Jonathan Herrera, Rosy Herrera, Brenda & Joel Rodriguez
Recording Secretary
Melinda Powell
Golf Tournament Fundraising Chair
Scott Powell
Horizon Texas Conference - May 31-June 2, 2026 in Wichita Falls, Texas Captioned and ASL interpreted!
Judy Carter, Mary Kay Hudspeth.
Sign Choir Director
Melinda Powell
SEEDS Board
Becky Barnebey, Judy Carter (Treasurer), Tashee Gates (Chair), Tom Hudspeth(President), Tonnietta Jackson, Kendrick Lewis, Batsi Mukarakate (Secretary), Rev. Uwezo Mwanjala, Naomi Rapp, Rev. Caesar Rentie and Ashley Trevino (Vice President). Advisors (voice without vote): Elisa Baysinger; Mary Kay Hudspeth; Bishop Peggy Johnson (retired, Eastern Pennsylvania ).
Metro-East District Certified Lay Servants (CLS - completed 20 hours training)
Edwin Carter (CLS)
Judy Carter (CLS)
Tash Gates (CLS)
Mary Kay Hudspeth (CLS)
Kendrick Lewis (CLS for SEEDS only)
Naomi Rapp (CLS)
Certified Candidates who have completed BASIC CLS training (10 hours)
Karen Harrell
Sherry LaRue
Brenda Rodriguez
Joel Rodriguez
Ashley Trevino (CLS for SEEDS only)
Certified Candidates who have completed ADVANCED CLS training only
Elisa Baysinger
President of SEEDS and Pastor of the Deaf Mission Church, UMC Rev. Dr. Thomas H. Hudspeth
