Pastor Leber of the Holy Cross Lutheran Church of the Deaf started Signs of Christmas (SOC) in 1980 with a handful of members and friends. Today it has grown to a mailing list of over 250 members. Each year roughly 125 of those committed volunteers come together and continue the mission to promote Deaf/Hard of Hearing awareness through the beauty of American Sign Language and to spread Christmas c
heer. All choir and Committee members are volunteers!! Starting in September SOC members, led by the SOC committee, practice every over Saturday morning for 6 weeks total preparing to perform Christmas favorites 2 weekends in December. The assembly is divided into two smaller groups and each choir performs an entire weekend: 1 show on Friday night, and 5-7 shows both Saturday and Sunday. SOC entertains crowds all over Central Ohio in malls, nursing homes, churches, schools, and private venues. Over the years SOC also participated in many special events throughout the year including the 2008 Ohio State Fair! SOC has also performed at the Millersport Sweet Corn Festival, the Octoberfest, and private events for organizations, churches, and private settings. There are no prior sign language skills needed to sign and perform the 10 to 12 Christmas songs. All signs are taught during rehearsals and special small group sessions. Selections include an even blend of traditional carols, religious songs, fun melodies, and opportunities for solo performances! The committee members keeps the group alive and running smoothly by meeting 6 times a year and planning the Christmas season. The committee also raises money to purchase and maintain sound equipment and props and is currently working on saving enough to secure risers of their own, having had to borrow risers for several years. Each year members collect goods and/or monies to donate to a mission project. In past years canned and dry goods were presented to the Holy Cross food pantry. Last year because of the tragedies caused by Hurricane Katrina the committee re-evaluated the charitable giving for the 2005 season and decided instead to lend support to those students and their families who lost everything. SOC collected cash donations to send to the Louisiana School for the Deaf. In 2006, dozens and dozens of canned goods were donated by our members and committee to the Westerville Food Pantry to be distributed to local families in need. In 2007, members gave their free time to ring the bell for the Salvation Army! Since it's inception almost 30 years ago, Signs of Christmas never lost the vision of Pastor Leber and continues to promote Deaf/Hard of Hearing awareness through the beauty of American Sign Language and spread Christmas cheer while having lots of fun in the process!
