Podcast Summary: Hadley Presents – Religious Services and Vision Loss

Host: Ricky Enger
Guest: Pastor Scott Himmel
Release Date: December 18, 2025
Theme: Navigating religious services and faith community life after vision loss—practical tips, personal experiences, and encouragement.

Episode Overview

Hosted by Ricky Enger, this episode features Pastor Scott Himmel, senior pastor of North Shore United Methodist Church and a person with low vision. Together, they explore practical solutions for people with vision loss to actively participate in religious services and related community activities. They discuss transportation, in-service experiences, access to materials, participation outside the main service, socializing, and self-advocacy. Pastor Himmel offers insights from both his pastoral experience and personal journey with low vision.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Introducing Pastor Scott Himmel & Setting Expectations

[01:34]

• Scott introduces himself as a pastor with low vision due to albinism.

• He aims to share tips largely from a low vision perspective but notes some may help those with total blindness.

  Quote:

  “...my remarks today are going to emerge from my lived experience of a person with low vision. And I'm hoping that will help in particular a person who also has low vision and how to remain active in the life of her or his faith community.”
  (Scott Himmel, 01:34)

2. Overcoming Transportation Barriers

[03:39]

• Transportation can be a significant hurdle, especially if someone is new to a community.

• Options Discussed:

  • Carpool: Coordinate with church members; line up 2–3 people for backup. Church admins can help connect members.
  • Church Van: Larger congregations may offer van services.
  • Public Transit: Utilize reduced-fare programs or disability bus transit (pre-schedule, possible wait times).
  • Rideshare Services: Uber/Lyft as a backup (costlier for long distances).
  • Virtual Worship: Useful in emergencies, but in-person attendance fosters relationships.

  Quote:

  “You’re not powerless. That’s a huge thing with any disability. Or I like to say that you’re differently abled, you’re not disabled…”
  (Scott Himmel, 07:34)

3. Navigating Visual Cues During Services

[09:01]

• Many visual cues are paired with audible ones (“Please be seated”), but not all.

• Strategies:

  • Sit with someone you trust who can quietly help if needed.
  • In new communities, ask a neighbor to cue you or tap you if you’re unsure.
  • If your home church relies heavily on visual cues, ask clergy to provide more audible prompts.

• Communion Tips: Follow the person ahead. Ask for guidance from servers if needed. Be patient and communicate your needs.

  Quote:

  “Listen and follow what others are doing. It sounds simple and it is simple. It’s so simple, you might not even think about that at times.”
  (Scott Himmel, 09:01)

4. Accessing Printed and Projected Materials

[12:38]

• Preparation is key.

  • Create a “low vision toolkit”—devices and plans you employ for services.
  • Prepare a few days in advance, especially when attending a new service.

• Bulletins & Liturgy:

  • Ask the church admin for a Word version; it’s ready by Thursday/Friday.
  • Use a tablet or phone (tablets are preferred for larger text).
  • Word app’s “mobile view” is optimal for scaling.

• Projector Slides:

  • Request digital copies of slides or PDFs.
  • Use the PowerPoint app or any PDF reader for access.

• Magnifiers:

  • Smartphones’ built-in magnifier apps can work for bulletins or projected text.
  • Physical digital magnifiers and monoculars (head-mounted or handheld) can be useful.

  Quote:

  "Any person with low vision needs to have a low vision toolkit... Maybe it's even something like it's your set of tools, your things you generally take with you somewhere."
  (Scott Himmel, 12:38)

5. Participating Beyond the Main Service

[18:13]

• Choir Participation:

  • Hymns and music scanned for use on a tablet.
  • Practice at home, given that printed choral music is often small.

• Bible/Book Study:

  • Communicate with the leader about your needs before the session.
  • Digital tools: Tablets are ergonomic and allow for adjustable text.
  • Apps like Olive Tree Bible Study, Kindle (with VoiceOver), Voice Dream Reader, and Bookshare provide robust accessibility and features.
  • Ask for handouts in digital format whenever possible.

  Quote:

  "You are your own advocate...99% of the time, people are glad to help you in life. And for the 1% who aren't, we pray for them and...move on..."
  (Scott Himmel, 18:13)

6. Navigating Fellowship and Socializing

[23:00]

• Acknowledge the Emotional Challenge:

  • Loss of social confidence after vision loss is natural—acknowledge the emotion to move past it.

• Practical Tips:

  • Attend fellowship with a friend or family member who can help you circulate.
  • If alone, stand (don’t sit off to the side); hover near refreshment tables where conversation clusters form.
  • Join groups in conversation by introducing yourself and asking for names (“I have low vision, can you help me with your names?”).
  • For food tables, ask a companion for help or make light jokes with others who are also unsure what’s on offer.

• Advocacy:

  • Name tags may not help; don’t hesitate to ask people to introduce themselves, even multiple times.

  Memorable Moment:

  “That’s like the ultimate card if you forget someone’s name. ‘I have low vision, I have trouble seeing. Can you help me?’”
  (Scott Himmel, 25:00)

7. Overarching Philosophy: Mindset and Advocacy

[28:48]

• Embrace a perspective of being “differently abled.”

• Awareness of emotion leads to greater agency.

• Remain active in faith and community by seeking adaptation rather than avoidance.

  Quote:

  “...to realize you’re not powerless and you’re not even disabled, you’re differently abled and seeing yourself that way is really a game changer.”
  (Scott Himmel, 28:48)

Notable Quotes

• On Transportation Options:

  “There are actually several options at my disposal that I have to consider in order to overcome this challenge that is in front of me.”
  (Scott Himmel, 03:39)

• On Preparation:

  “The more components that need to be considered, the more you may need to prep. Then if it’s a recurring thing, it gets easier...”
  (Scott Himmel, 12:38)

• On Socializing:

  “Don’t let them put you in the corner. You’ll feel disempowered if you’re over there sitting.”
  (Scott Himmel, 24:00)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:46 – Pastor Scott Himmel introduction and background
• 03:39 – Overcoming transportation barriers
• 07:34 – Mindset: “You’re not powerless, you’re differently abled”
• 09:01 – Navigating visual cues and communion
• 12:38 – Accessing materials: bulletins, slides, toolkits
• 18:13 – Participating in choir, Bible study, and using adaptive tech
• 23:00 – Strategies for socializing and fellowship
• 28:48 – Parting thoughts: self-perception, empowerment, adaptation

Conclusion

This episode provides an in-depth and practical guide for people with vision loss to remain fully engaged in their faith communities. Pastor Scott Himmel blends humor, empathy, and technical know-how, emphasizing preparation, advocacy, and a positive, adaptive mindset. Whether dealing with transport, liturgies, social groups, or emotional hurdles, his advice centers on empowerment, community, and practical solutions.

For more information or to connect with Hadley Presents:
Email: podcast@hadleyhelps.org
Phone: 847-784-2870