Signs of Mercy II will perform at Through the Grace of God Ministries on Dec. 15 at 6 p.m.(Contributed)

By STEVEN CALHOUN/Staff Writer

Through the Grace of God Ministries (TTGOGM) will have a Christmas Cantata performed in sign language by The Signs of Mercy II on Dec. 15.

This free event will be held at TTGOGM at 6 p.m. A dinner will be provided by First Baptist Church of Clanton prior to the show at 5 p.m.

“I just decided to keep it simple and express the love of Christmas in sign language and song,” Signs of Mercy II’s director Susan LaRocca-Bingham said.

The Signs of Mercy II will join with the ministry’s children’s choir for the musical performance, which will be followed by a sermon.

The Signs of Mercy II is made up of six of LaRocca-Bingham’s adopted children. The group uses sign language because, according to LaRocca-Bingham, her children are from all over the world and it helps them communicate.

Also, many members of the Signs of Mercy II have special needs. The group started because LaRocca-Bingham’s oldest daughter cannot speak at all due to cerebral palsy, so she taught her daughter sign language.

Her daughter later took an interest in the children’s choir at their church. That moment, around 20 years ago, is when LaRocca-Bingham decided a sign language choir would be a good idea.

“We perform at different churches and civic groups,” LaRocca-Bingham said. “We got our name from an adult choir called ‘Signs of Mercy’ in Tennessee … who fell in love with our group and said ‘We want to share our name with you.’”

The Signs of Mercy group from Tennessee gave her choir their first set of robes, which they will wear during the performance on Dec. 15.

Evangelist Don Graham will deliver a sermon after the musical performance.

“He is so wonderful. We are blessed to have him in our church,” LaRocca-Bingham said.

For more information about the event, search Through the Grace of God Ministries on Facebook.