New American Sign Language Videos Added to Hymn Resources

At the same time as we commemorate 100 years of The United Church of Canada in 2025, we also consider what we’d like to sing for the next century, and how this reflects full participation for everyone. Developing new resources is an investment in the faith formation and spiritual health of the Church.

A long-awaited series of resource videos released today is a preview to Then Let Us Sing! (TLUS), a new online musical portal that will be fully launched in early 2025. Several videos, including a new song, are signed in American Sign Language; the International Week of the Deaf kicks off today (September 23, 2024) with International Sign Language Day.

Then Let Us Sing! is a Centennial project, and the ASL videos are mandated within the project. Most of the ASL videos on the YouTube channel originate in the United States, so expanding the availability of Canadian options was important to consider in the development of the project, says Rev. Phil Wilson, consultant interpreter and coordinator.

The videos are recorded with high-quality music, vocals, and signing, and are available to include in worship alongside traditional ways of singing hymns. They are available on The United Church of Canada’s YouTube channel. Communities of faith would need to report the songs using their own copyright license.

“Any inclusion of ASL hymns is always a way of introducing a hearing congregation to Deaf ministry,” says Wilson. “Deaf ministry has had a history of lacking resources and is primarily self-resourced; as such, any expansion of resources can only be a positive.”

The ASL team who signed all the hymns included four members of the Deaf community from the Kingston/Belleville area and one from the GTA. They are: 

1. Robert Bhola, 258 signs
2. Helen Bickle
3. Juan Jaramillo, 258 signs
4. Leah Riddell
5. Heidi Tawse, co-ordinator, interpreter consultant
6. Kim Upton
7. Phil Wilson, co-ordinator, interpreter consultant

Initially, the team met via Zoom to consult on the hymns and their approach to signing the hymns. Team members also consulted with interpreters with whom they felt comfortable working on sign choices for the hymns' interpretation.

Initial discussions began in February 2023, the first recording of 10 hymns in summer 2023 and the final recording in spring 2024. ASL team members spent about 20 hours per hymn in rehearsal and then a full day of recording and re-recording. 

“The video team and editing team also were integral to the final product,” Wilson says, calling the final product “a true team effort” between the ASL team, Identity and Mission Network Coordinator Alydia Smith, and the video/production team.

Visit The United Church of Canada YouTube channel for a sample of ASL and LSQ hymns that will be included in Then Let Us Sing!/Ensemble, Chantons.

Then Let Us Sing! will be available by subscription through ONE LICENSE, and subscription fees will be less than current ONE LICENSE fees.