In this interview, the Rev. Phil Wilson, who is leading the development of ASL (American Sign Language) and LSQ (Langue des signes québécoise) video hymns for Then Let Us Sing!, shares how these worship resources for the Deaf community can greatly expand and diversify the worship life for all of our communities of faith.
The inclusion of ASL and LSQ hymns in Then Let Us Sing! was named by the Education, Justice, and Ethos committee as one of the goals of the project. In the Then Let Us Sing! theo-ethical framework, helping the entire church sing together was named as a primary goal, and ASL and LSQ are part of the linguistic diversity that help us do that.
How did the inclusion of ASL hymn resources in Then Let Us Sing! come about?
I believe it was Paul Sales, who is involved with Then Let Us Sing! and who I have known for several years, who suggested I be part of this project. Then Alydia Smith contacted me to have initial discussions about the project. We considered that most of the ASL videos came from the United States and there were limited Canadian options available.
How were the ASL hymns to be included selected?
Initially, I had consulted with two members of the Belleville, Ontario Deaf community, Pastor Helen Bickle (retired Designated Lay Minister with Quinte Deaf Fellowship) and Kim Upton (lay leader, Quinte Deaf Fellowship). Both Helen and Kim then made selections from The United Church of Canada’s current hymnals, More Voices and Voices United. New music was also selected by Alydia Smith and the Then Let Us Sing! Material Curation team.
How do you approach the practice of hymnody in Deaf worship to honor ASL as a distinct language, with its own cultural and expressive nuances, rather than just a translation from English?
Though I serve four hearing congregations, my years of experience with worship has seen a range from ASL/English interpretation of sung hymns to Deaf-led signing/singing of hymns. Any hymn presented should always include cultural and expressive nuances. Some worship resources will have hymns with the music embedded, and others have no music and are signed by the Deaf worship leader. The key here is the fact that ASL and English are two different and distinct languages. As with scripture, there is always an “interpretive” process that happens with signing hymns.
In my own ministry context, I recently baptized a Deaf mother and her son. During that service, I used ASL hymns. In July, I featured ASL praise music as we opened worship to continue to honour the language and culture of the Deaf community. This has been well accepted.
What collaborations have you established to ensure appropriate inclusion of ASL hymns in Then Let Us Sing?
The project used members of the Deaf community as the team who signed all the hymns. Four signers from the Kingston/Belleville, Ontario area and one from the Toronto area comprised the ASL team. Hymn assignments were then discussed with the team. I created videos with lyrics and music, with occasional signing by myself allowing for the team to offer their interpretation of the lyrics. For the first round of recording in 2023, the team would meet via Zoom to consult on the hymns and their approach to signing the hymns. ASL team members may have consulted with interpreters they felt comfortable with to work on sign choices for the interpretation of the hymns.
What was the process for selecting LSQ (Langue des signes québécoise) hymns to be included in Ensemble, Chantons / Then Let Us Sing?
My involvement was very limited on the LSQ side of the project. I sought referrals from Leah Riddell, a member of the ASL team, for people who might be considered for the LSQ project. I met with Alice Dulude who expressed interest in the project and connected her with Alydia, who selected the hymns.
How might the expansion of ASL worship resources impact local ministries?
Though the number of ASL hymns are limited as compared to the library of our current hymnals, any inclusion of ASL hymns is always a way of introducing a hearing congregation to Deaf ministry. Deaf ministry has had a history of lacking resources and being primarily self-resourced. As such, any expansion of resources can only be a positive.
As we prepare for the launch of Then Let Us Sing!, what training or resources will communities of faith need to integrate ASL hymns and worship as part of their services?
I don’t believe any specific training is required when we consider the Then Let Us Sing! ASL project. These are videos with high quality music, vocals, and signing that can be included in worship outside of our traditional organ/piano/choir hymns. The ASL hymns recorded to date are being shared on a YouTube playlist to increase awareness of their existence, and congregations can start using streaming and projecting them.
Are there plans to expand the number of ASL and LSQ hymn resources included in Then Let Us Sing?
At this point, I am not aware of plans for expanding the resource beyond the 15 ASL and five LSQ hymns already selected and in production. It would be good to see expansion of the LSQ resource for parity with the ASL library.
Is there anything more you would like to add?
It is worth noting that this project took an incredible amount of time and effort to complete. Initial discussions about the inclusion of ASL and LSQ hymns began in February 2023 – the first recording of 10 hymns happened in summer 2023 and the final recording in spring 2024. ASL team members spent approximately 20 hours per hymn in rehearsal, and a full day of recording and re-recording. The video and editing team were also integral to the final product. This was a true team effort between the ASL team, Alydia Smith, and the video/production team.
— Rev. Phil Wilson is minister of East Camden Pastoral Charge and Odessa Pastoral Charge in Ontario.
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.