Ann Dahlen of the Diocese of Quincy in Illinois has prepared a large-print Book of Common Prayer CD. The CD can be used to help prepare large-print materials for worship services. Equally, visually impaired persons can use the CD as a resource for their devotions.
Ms. Dahlen has been preparing large-print materials since April 2003. These materials have been used at Trinity Episcopal Church, Rock Island, Illinois, and at the past two conventions of the Diocese of Quincy. The large-print CD ministry, she says, "is a labour of love in thankfulness to God for his many blessings and in loving memory of my father who had visions problems."
The recently completed CD is formatted in Word. Pages are laid out for 8 1/2 x 11 inch paper. The main body of type is 18 point.
Since March 2005 Ms. Dahlen has distributed more than 130 CDs to 44 diocese in the United States, as well as to the Convocation of American Churches in Europe in France.
The response to Ms. Dahlen's efforts has been enthusiastic: "There are several in our congregation that need the larger print - myself included - and it will be put to good use," wrote Patsy Ender of the Church of the Nativity in Grand Junction, Colorado. "I have had to convert some texts myself and do appreciate the time spent by you to get this ready. We all send our thanks for a job well done and much needed."
"I am a Deacon in our Diocese and have Macular Degeneration in both eyes," wrote the Rev. Melanie Christopher of Lakewood, Colorado. "I truly have a difficult time reading the Prayer Book. May God bless you for undertaking this ministry to help so many people like me that have low vision."
"At 56, I had cataract extraction and an interocular lens implant that went all wrong," wrote Patricia Russell of Ransom Canyon, Texas. "After several months of being legally blind in my right eye I really appreciated the old, worn, partial large print BCP our parish had. Since that time I've been looking for a better option than the partial book. You and your ministry are the answer to my prayers."
"I think what you have done is a wonderful gift to all who have vision difficulty, even those of us who refuse to admit it," wrote the Rt. Rev. Creighton Robertson, Bishop of South Dakota.
"We are very happy that we were able to find this CD," wrote Joy Luke of St. Matthew's Episcopal Church in Bloomington, Illinois. "Everyone will appreciate the efforts you have made to make reading and following along easier. Our church has been looking for this material for our visually impaired members for quite some time and want to express to you how much of a difference you are making in many lives."
"Thank you so very much for the offer of the CD - BCP service in large print," wrote the Rev. James R. Hempstead of Church of the Nativity in Boyne City, Michigan. "We have need of such a wonderful gift in our small congregation."
"Thank you and God bless you for your willingness to share the large-print copy of the Prayer Book on CD after your initial work," wrote the Rev. George Berlin, Rector of St. Philip & St. James Episcopal Church, Denver, Colorado. "We have a nice group of folk here who can use this service very much."
"I am an Episcopal priest and I work both in a church and as a chaplain in a nursing home. In addition, I am visually impaired," wrote the Rev. Kuulei Green of Chattanooga, Tennessee. "Thank you for your 'labour of love' and I plan to share it in both places where I work."
"As a person with RP (Retinitis pigmentosa) who is in the process of losing my sight, your work will help me continue to serve the church," wrote the Rev. Stan Upchurch, Archivist of the Episcopal Diocese of Oklahoma and a Deacon at St. John's Church in Norman, Oklahoma.
Donations are always welcome!
The large-print CD is free except for the cost of postage. Nevertheless, Ms. Dahlen would welcome donations to help defray costs of her growing CD ministry. Costs include blank CDs, CD cases, labels, and postage stamps for thank you notes. All donations of money or supplies are greatly appreciated and will help continue this ministry. Several Bishops, clergy and churches have already generously contributed to the CD ministry.
To order a CD:
To order a copy of the CD, send a self-addressed, stamped 6 x 9 inch envelope with three 37 cent stamps attached (four if it's a padded envelope) to: Ann Dahlen, 1900 6th Avenue, Apt. 513, Rock Island, IL 61201. If you are outside the U.S. and want to order a CD and need postage cost information, or if you have questions or need other information about the CD, please email Ms. Dahlen at largeprint-help@aol.com or anndahlen3@aol.com.