FROM A PRESS RELEASE

Downtown Church More Accessible with Sign Language Translation
First Congregational Church, one of Long Beach’s oldest congregations, is now fully accessible for the deaf and hearing impaired. While hearing devises have long been available, an American Sign Language Interpreter is now providing translation at the Sunday morning services.

Melanie Riecke Hiller, who has an MA in special education and who is an instructional specialist at Cal State Northridge, is doing the signing. Ms. Hiller has a teaching credential in deaf and hard of hearing and has served as a teacher of the deaf in the Alhambra School District since 1999.

The church currently has two members who are hearing impaired, and anticipates that others may begin to attend once they learn that ASL translation is available.

First Congregational Church is located at the corner of Third Street and Cedar Avenue in downtown Long Beach, and is well known for its involvement in the downtown community, including a free summer day camp, a Sunday drop in center for the homeless, and as the original site of the downtown Farmer’s Market. Their Sunday morning services are held at 10 a.m.

For more information, please contact: The Rev. Libby Tigner, 562-436-2256, ext. 224

Photograph courtesy of Adreanna Langston

Rev. Libby Tigner, Associate Minister

First Congregational Church, United Church of Christ

241 Cedar Avenue, Long Beach, CA 90802

562-436-2256, ext. 224

A liberal church, welcoming of all, passionately committed to social justice

www.firstchurchlb.org

Tags: American Sign Language, church, deaf, first congregational, hearing impaird, Long Beach