There's no new church building on the way, and no new denomination. Yet more Christians will have a chance to soak in the what a different pastor has to say.

For the first time in the better part of a decade, Aberdeen will have a church service that caters to the deaf. It will begin at 4 p.m. at Our Savior Lutheran Church, 624 N. Jay St.

Nancy Schlichenmayer works with Communication Services for the Deaf in Aberdeen. She said there's been talk of starting the service for a year. Finally, she said, things have fallen into place.

The Rev. Matthew Nix of Sioux Falls will lead the service. And he'll return once a month as long as there's interest.

Schlichenmayer said Nix has come to Aberdeen before to lead funerals for deaf people. But aside from that, it's been about seven years since there have been regular deaf services in the Aberdeen area.

Now, there are more young deaf people in the area than there have been in the past, Schlichenmayer said. She hopes that helps spark interest in the signing services.

Nix said that after the first service, he'll meet with people who attend and see if there's also interest in a deaf Bible study.

In Sioux Falls, Nix signs at services at Trinity Lutheran Church for the Deaf each Sunday. Twice a month, he also goes to Sioux City for deaf services. He's lived in Sioux Falls in 1993 and, with his wife's encouragement, first took an interest in signing in 1989 when he started seminary.

Nix, who can hear, said some deaf church-goers prefer it when a pastor signs to them during the service. Others, however, enjoy speaking services during which somebody else signs.

Schlichenmayer said the Aberdeen services will be both signed and spoken.

While Nix is a Lutheran minister and he will be signing, he said the services are open to anybody.

Schlichenmayer said there will be a potluck meal after the first service. If services are well attended, she said she'd like to be able to make Nix's trips to Aberdeen permanent. For now, they're set up through November or December.

Services will start the second Sunday of each month at 4 p.m. at Our Savior Lutheran.

Nix said that his Sioux Falls service begins at 9 a.m. After he takes care of those obligations, he said he'll drive to Aberdeen.

People who have questions or want more information about the services may contact Schlichenmayer by calling (605) 626-2668. She said she's hopeful that attendance will make the venture worthwhile.

By Scott Waltman, American News