SCHOFIELD -- When Wendy Hughes and her husband, Steve, moved to the area two years ago, they found a home at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Schofield. They liked the people and the pastors, but communication was difficult because both of them are deaf.

To help, Wendy Hughes decided to offer sign language lessons for parish members.

"I want to be involved in church activities and I want to teach people to feel comfortable with deaf people," Hughes said. "These classes are the first step."

Hughes said many deaf people do not attend services because of communication issues, a trend she would like to change. In addition to teaching the classes, Hughes has employed interpreters and worked with the pastors to have sermons typed up for them.

"I was raised in a Christian family, and I'm used to going to church services, but communication can be difficult," Hughes said. "But I want to open up and teach sign language so we don't have that barrier."

About 10 people have signed up for Hughes' classes, which began earlier this month, and everyone has been enjoying them.

"It has always fascinated me. I would watch in church when they would do sign language for Wendy and Steve, and I wanted to see if I could learn it," said Beverly Keller of Weston.

Keller took a sign language class about 10 years ago, but she said she forgot much of what she learned. Now she practices with her daughter and grandchildren, who take the class with her.

"My granddaughter is the youngest one, and she picks it up very fast. She and I have been signing together," Keller said.

Keller's daughter, Debbie Price of Weston, hopes to pass along the signs she learns to her Sunday school students.

"The kids love to learn actions to songs, and I think it would be nice to teach them the signs," Price said.

Both Price and Keller are grateful to Hughes for teaching the classes.

"Sometimes, you're not sure how to communicate with people who have a disability, and it's so nice to have someone step up and make sure you can do it," Price said. "Wendy is just amazing."

Hughes is limiting her Tuesday evening classes to members of St. Peter's congregation for now because she is not a certified teacher, and she doesn't want to conflict with other classes offered in the area.

"But we'll see how it goes. This is a starting point and, if things improve, I will offer more," Hughes said.