DATES:	June 1 - 8, 2008
LOCATION:	Concordia Theological Seminary 6600 N Clinton Street Fort Wayne, IN 46825-4996 Phone # 260-452-2100 ext. 2297 Fax # 260-452-2121
CITI direct phone # 260-452-2297 E-mail: citi@ctsfw.edu

CITI is a Christian Ministry of Concordia Theological Seminary. Its aim is to train church interpreters committed to bringing the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the Deaf and hearing-impaired. It is open to active members of all Christian denominations who confess the Trinity.

CITI is funded by Concordia Theological Seminary, the Mill Neck Foundation, the English, Bonter, Mitchell Foundation, the Lutheran Women's Missionary League and private donors.

Graduates serve in a variety of ways depending on their abilities and opportunities. This may be by interpreting worship services, church meetings, Bible studies, Sunday School etc.; by teaching sign language classes; and by being supportive and an advocate for the Deaf in many other ways. Some graduates have gone into full-time ministry and mission work with the Deaf.

The following information refers to the intensive adult program.

CITI conducts an intensive course each summer. It is a broad, intensive program where participants eat, sleep and live the world and language of the Deaf for two weeks. Classes are conducted from 8 a.m. till 4:45 p.m., Monday to Saturday with some classes, homework, devotions, and time for fellowship in the evenings. Because of the nature of the program it is a real advantage if participants can board together at the seminary. Commuters are encouraged to spend their evenings at the seminary for the opportunities this affords for interaction and fellowship.

Students have found CITI to be a spiritually rewarding experience which has helped them to grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ and has assisted them to serve in the ministry of bringing Christ to those who are deaf.

CITI encourages the use of American Sign Language while recognizing the diversity of signing systems.

Classes include sign language structures, vocabulary, fingerspelling, resources, deaf ministry, Bible Study, Biblical word studies, deaf culture, interpreting music, interpreting lessons and liturgy, and perspectives on worship.

Most lectures are voiced. These may be interpreted, depending on student needs. Interpreting experience in the classroom will be given to internship participants and those in level C (possibly level B) who desire the experience. Instructors may present lectures in sign language for more advanced students.

If any support services are needed for any of these activities please indicate on the application form how we can accommodate you.

Opportunities are provided for interaction with deaf people. Deaf people assist in instruction and evaluation in the classroom, and are invited to our social activities.

Class placement

Classes are conducted at 3 levels depending on the prior knowledge of the participants. Students will be placed at an appropriate level using the following as a basis:

1. the information given on the application form.
2. we ask those applicants who know some sign language to send us a video of themselves signing the Lord's Prayer, a hymn and a Bible passage. This will assist us in class placement. We would like to receive this no later than two weeks before the program begins. (This video does not need to accompany the application form and will be available for you to use during the program.)
3. Students may be given a test at registration to determine class level placement.

If a student and/or instructor feels a class placement is inappropriate, changes will be made by mutual agreement of all instructors and students involved.

Class Levels

Level A is designed for beginning signers or those with rudimentary signing skills, Level B for those who wish to improve their skills, and Level C for experienced interpreters.

The following outlines are typical of the courses offered, but subject to change:

LEVEL A

A student completing Level A of the Church Interpreter Training Institute program, will have attended the following sessions:

Language/Vocabulary/ASL
Non-Verbal Intro. to Sign Language/Fingerspelling
Bible Study/Bible Vocabulary/Worship
Personal/Spiritual Growth
The Deaf Experience & Culture
Interpreting Music
Preventing Burnout
Resources

With preparation, the student will interpret songs, hymns, Bible readings, devotions, Sunday School materials and other church related material.

Level A students are expected to attend chapel daily. Individuals are strongly encouraged but not required to interpret parts of the worship service and hymns. It is expected that Level A students will participate in nightly devotions and take some responsibility for them during the program.

On completing this level the student -

1. should be able to present material in Deaf Bible classes if given time to preview and prepare the material.
2. can sign pre-determined portions of the worship service and may be able to assist with the more difficult liturgies and music.

LEVEL B

A student completing Level B of the Church Interpreter Training Institute program, will have attended the following sessions:

Interpreting Worship/Lessons, Music and Liturgy
Language/ASL
Bible Study/Bible Vocabulary/Worship
Personal/Spiritual Growth
Deaf Culture/Deaf Experience
Preventing Burnout
Resources

Level B students are expected to attend chapel daily. During the program each student will be given the opportunity to interpret hymns, Bible readings, parts of the worship service in chapel and in nightly devotions and other church related material. This practical application of classroom learning is expected and completion will be noted on the certificate presented at the end of the program.

A student who has completed Level B must be given the materials beforehand and given time to prepare. Hymns, parts of the church liturgy and Bible lessons can be interpreted. Sermons are not yet within the range of skill unless a detailed outline or a printed script is given beforehand.

LEVEL C

A student completing Level C of the Church Interpreter Training Institute program will have attended the following sessions:

Interpreting Lessons, Worship, Liturgy and Sermons
Bible Study/Bible Vocabulary/Worship
Deaf Culture and Community
The Deaf Experience
Interpreting Music
ASL & English Vocabulary Building
Personal/Spiritual Growth
Preventing Burnout
Resources

Level C students will interpret hymns, Bible readings, sermons, devotions and classroom presentations, both in the classroom and the chapel.

Level C students are expected to attend chapel daily. Each student will interpret all parts of the worship service including the sermon. Other opportunities for interpreting will be given in the nightly devotions and classroom presentations.

Having completed level C, a student should be able to interpret Bible classes and all portions of the worship service, assist with church meetings, banquets, and other group activities. They could, depending on the nature of the subject and the parties involved, interpret counseling sessions with the pastor.

The Rev. Steve Cholak's biography is coming soon.

The Rev. Thomas W. Dunseth is pastor of Our Savior Deaf Lutheran Church in Farmington Hills, Michigan. He has attended all levels of CITI, and served as a missionary to the deaf in Macau, China from 1993-2001. He speaks Chinese, and knows Chinese and American Sign Language as well. He graduated with a Master of Divinity from Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Indiana, in 1993. Rev. Dunseth is a member of the CITI Board of Directors.

Mrs. Stacey Foreman is a teacher and interpreter for the Deaf. She received her BS in Deaf Education from Ball State University, in Muncie, Indiana. She has worked with the Deaf since 1992. She has served in many capacities such as student teacher, teacher, interpreter, sign language teacher, consultant, monitor of interpreter services and church interpreter. Stacey is married to a Deaf man.

Rev. Ronald E. Friedrich is pastor of Christ Lutheran Church of the Deaf in Silver Spring, Maryland, and is a chaplain at Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C. After graduating with a Masters of Divinity from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Missouri, Rev. Friedrich served in Deaf ministry in Illinois and then in Texas. He taught in the Interpreter Training Program of Eastfield College, Dallas County, Texas, and has served as president of the North Central Texas Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf. He has also served LCMS Deaf missions nationally as Pastoral Advisor to the International Lutheran Deaf Association and as an instructor in the Deaf Institute of Theology.

Mr. William S. Hallock graduated from Macalester College, St. Paul, Minnesota, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in the German and Russian languages, and a minor in secondary education. He then entered military service and became a Naval Aviator. He continued as a pilot after military service for many years, finally retiring in 2003. Since then, his entire focus has been gaining proficiency in American Sign Language and teaching Deaf adults and children, both in church as well as academic classrooms. He is currently the Deaf Education Instructor for a Goodwill Industries affiliate and a Christian education teacher for Deaf students from Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf. He first attended CITI as a student in 2003, and returned to teach "A" level ASL in 2004.

Ms. Heidi D. Mueller has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education from Roosevelt University, Chicago, Illinois; and a Master or Arts in Religion degree from Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Indiana. Heidi first attended an ASL class at Harper Community College in Palatine, Illinois, in 1995, and then attended CITI in 1995 and 1996. She has organized and taught for CITI for several years. Heidi is a member of the CITI Board of Directors.

The Rev. Doctor John W. Saleska, (with CITI Since 1985) Professor Emeritus and former chairman of the Pastoral Ministry & Missions department of Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Indiana, has for many years taught Christology and Biblical Word Studies for CITI. He is well known for his Bible Study seminars for lay-people. Rev. Saleska now serves part time as Director of the Concordia Bible Institute, a new program at Concordia University in Mequon, Wisconsin.

Dcs. Jennie J. Waters serves as Director of the Deaconess Program at Concordia University Chicago. She has been church interpreting for several years and produced a video sign course “Signing the Word.” Jennie earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Special Education from St. Cloud State University in St. Cloud, MN. She later earned her Masters’ Degree in Special Education from St. Cloud State and certification in Elementary School teaching from the University of Wisconsin - River Falls. In 1993, she earned a Certificate of Advanced Studies (C.A.S.) degree and Deaconess certification from Concordia University - River Forest, IL. Jennie is on the LCMS Board for Missions. Deaconess Waters has taught for CITI for several years and is a consultant for curriculum development at CITI.

The Rev. Robert W. Wurst Jr. is pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Good Harbor, Michigan. Pastor Wurst studied deaf ministry at Concordia Theological Seminary, and graduated with a Master of Divinity in 1995. His first call was as pastor of Our Savior Lutheran Church, Evansville, Indiana, from 1995-2002, a parish with interpreted services. Pastor Wurst has taught Bible Studies and assisted in the CITI summer programs for several years. He has also assisted with the CITI Teen Camp. Rev. Wurst is a member of the CITI Board of Directors.

As an alternative to college credit, Concordia Theological Seminary also now offers up to 6 CEUs (Continuing Education Units) for attending CITI. The cost is a $7 certificate fee.

An application form and medical form should reach us as soon as possible and not later than June 1, 2008.

In the event of an emergency, it is VERY IMPORTANT for us to have the information requested on the Medical Information Form. None of this information will be made available to anyone other than the pertinent CITI staff, except in an emergency situation.

CITI is open to participants from all denominations who confess the Trinity. As it is a program designed for interpreters in Christian churches, we ask that you read the Statement of Faith included with the application form and indicate your agreement.

Applicants need to be 18 years of age before the beginning of the program.

The total cost of the program is $650.

You are encouraged to bring $100 for spending money.

Family members of students are welcome to join us for the social events at no extra cost. Fees also cover the cost of the midday meal for commuters.

Unless special arrangements are made with us, fees must be paid in full by the start of classes.

Accommodation is available in the dormitories of Concordia Theological Seminary, with 1 or 2 people per room, depending on availability of space. Meals are provided Sunday to Saturday. You may bring your own food (refrigerator and microwave oven are available), purchase a meal at the cafeteria, or choose to eat at one of the many restaurants in Fort Wayne.

To help you become aware of deaf culture and current educational issues, and to allow the staff to assume a level of knowledge on the first day of classes it would be helpful if you read the following books before CITI starts: Deaf in America by Padden and Humphries and The Other Side of Silence by Arden Neisser.

A practicum, for students who have successfully completed Level C, and now want evaluation and feedback on their interpreting skills. The participant will be expected to communicate appropriately for the needs of the audience in the classroom, chapel, dorm, and various ad lib settings. There will be opportunities for mentoring, modeling appropriate language use, and acting as a role model. Positions are available for all or part of CITI. Room and board will be provided at no charge. There is a $100.00 fee.