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The Deaf Fellowship Altar of Lovers Lane United Methodist Church
This beautiful, cherry wood altar was designed and built under the leadership of Trevor Swearingen, for his Eagle Scout Project. Trevor is a Deaf teen who has been active in the Deaf ministry and missions of Lovers Lane since the summer of 2006. The logo on the front piece of the altar was first designed by Molly DeVoss in November 2006. Molly, a member of Lovers Lane and a graphic artist, combined the American Sign Language sign for "I Love You" with the Lovers Lane "heart of thorns and Cross" logo, creating a unique logo for the Lovers Lane Deaf Ministry. Also made were an "I Love You" Cross, Bible stand, and two candle stick holders.
Helping to build this altar were: Trevor's parents, Paul & Karen and his sister, Caitlyn; the Deaf members of Lovers Lane; John Coggins-Peckham; Stephen & Diane Smith; Richard & Esther Brownalenior; John Burt, the wood shop teacher at Rowlett High School; and the Boy Scouts from Troop 1020,at First United Methodist Church,Rowlett, Texas. Two hundred and seven hours went into building this altar. The wood for the altar was selected and purchased at a local lumber company that is owned by a member of nearby Cochran's Chapel UMC. In the late fall of 2008, Trevor was searching for a service project that would complete his requirements for the Eagle Scout Award. On October 12, 2008, the Deaf ministry began an "ASL Bible Study and Worship Service," now held in Asbury Hall. A few weeks later, Trevor and his mother, Karen, approached Rev. Tom Hudspeth with an offer to build an altar for this new worship service. In the Christian tradition, the symbol of an eagle with a halo represents the Gospel of John, proclaiming the high theology of Christ's love for us. It is indeed appropriate that Trevor, a Deaf young man who is serving Christ, would respond to God's grace in using his Eagle project to proclaim the love of Christ.
On Easter Sunday, April 12, 2009, this altar was dedicated to the service of God and to the remembrance of Christ's sacrificial love for all people. This altar will become a sacred symbol for the Deaf Ministry and Fellowship of Lovers Lane, and a visual reminder of God's love for Deaf people. On Sunday, May 31, 2009, Trevor received his Eagle Scout Award. Bishop Robert Schnase, the Bishop of the Missouri Conference of the United Methodist Church wrote about the The Deaf Fellowship Altar on his blog, "Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations."
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