DEAF MINISTRY at WESTOVER
Making Westover accessible for Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals. ASL interpretation is provided for every Sunday worship service (10:30am).
We want Westover to be known as a place where Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals are welcomed and included in worship, classes, fellowship and other activities.
Contact us → deaf@westover.org
The HISTORY of DEAF MINISTRY at WESTOVER
Westover has had a Deaf Ministry since the 80s. One of our elders, Dennis Raesener had a daughter named Chera who was deaf. Her mother Toni, helped interpret church services along with other interpreters.
Austin has a large Deaf community, due in part to the presence of the Texas School for the Deaf (TSD). Austin Church of Christ for the Deaf was once located in South Austin but is no longer gathering.
Today, Westover’s Deaf Ministry is led by Tom and Sha Cowan and Jennifer Blasingame. Many of those involved in Deaf Ministry at Westover have Deaf family members or friends.
Westover has hosted several Deaf gospel meetings and fellowship events over the years. In 2025, Westover rented and invited the community to watch Jesus, produced by Deaf Missions. It is all in ASL with captions for the hearing. Westover also hosted a Christmas fellowship with other area church Deaf ministries. We want to plan more outreach opportunities! All are welcome.
Volunteer interpreters needed
Sign language interpreting during the Sunday morning worship service is a high-impact way to share your talents with the Westover community. Each week, our interpreters rotate to cover the worship, communion meditation, and sermon.
We have a monthly online interpreter sign-up schedule for Sunday worship service as well as interpretation as needed for Deaf children or teens. Sign language interpreters usually switch every 15 or 20 minutes to avoid overuse and possible carpal tunnel injury.
We welcome volunteers who want to interpret. You do not have to be a professional interpreter. If you have taken ASL classes in school as a foreign language, we can use your help interpreting. This is a great way to practice your skills, build your confidence and serve the Deaf community at Westover in a meaningful way.
