Prison Ministry

Enjoyed my prison ministry chat about a week ago with a congregation member who coordinates the Kairos Prison Ministry between 1st Pres. Las Cruces and local prisons (both male and female camps).  I appreciated the stories he told me and I hope to get involved in Kairos (or some other prison ministry) at some point in my ministry if God so desires.  When I asked him for advice on prison ministry, this is what I heard...great wisdom in these words!

·         Don’t pry with prisoners, especially don’t pry about their sentence and jail time

·         Good way to start: tell me about yourself (family, hobbies, past jobs, etc)

·         Build repore with the inmates first

·         Get familiar with the inmates, but not too familiar    

     * Ie-you can joke with them, but jokes may touch a soft spot you are not aware of, so be cautious

·         Be real with them, but not too personal

·         Bringing them cookies or another sign of love & fellowship is helpful & greatly appreciated

Matthew 25: 31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory. 32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, 33 and he will put the sheep at his right hand and the goats at the left. 34 Then the king will say to those at his right hand, ‘Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; 35 for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? 38 And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? 39 And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?’ 40 And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family,[g] you did it to me.’ (biblegateway.com)

Praying today & every day for those in prison, especially for HB who has 30+ years to serve.  Please join me in praying...have you considered writing an inmate? Some helpful websites:http://www.writeaprisoner.com/
http://www.inmate-connection.com/
http://www.dc.state.fl.us/oth/inmates/writing.html

Prayer Warriors

Boy, was I touched this morning by sitting down for a few minutes with a couple of ladies (FPC church members) that faithfully come to FPC every Tuesday morning to pray.  They have invited me in the past to join them, but today I made it a point to stick my head in, even if just for five minutes.  Well, I stayed about 15 minutes, and it's been the best 15 minutes of my day, and I'd dare say of the past week.

What a witness these two women of the faith were to me this morning, and what a needed spiritual breather it was for me.  The fact that they devote themselves to coming out of the comforts of their homes, their beds, their space, to pray for the church, the community, and the world, is beyond touching.  How many of us would devote 1-2 HOURS (yes, hours, people) to prayer weekly?  What would our lives be like if we did? Something to chew on for this week...

As I write and reflect simultaneously, I realize what a gift these brief moments of fellowship and prayer really were for me.  I spoke with one of my pastoral supervisors this morning about the difference between leading worship (and faith-based studies/activities) and being a participant in worship and the life of the church.  It is really hitting me now that I only have 1 year left in seminary that I will no longer be a church member sitting in the pew.  I will be the pastor (or one of them, I pray) leading the flock, guiding the congregants in worship, providing pastoral care, and building others up spiritually through the work of the Holy Spirit.  Who will guide me?  Who will watch out for my spiritual well being?  Where will I go to worship or how will I experience worship/praising God myself when I am the one leading, focusing on what I say, how I say it, and worrying if it reaches the people in the pews.

As I move forward in my call and pastoral journey, I pray that God will give me more mornings like this morning where God literally says to me, "Erin, my daughter, stop.  Stop whatever you're doing, planning; put your to-do list aside and come to me.  Talk to me."  I'm so thankful I heeded the nudge of the Holy Spirit this morning and took a time-out to talk to my Living God in the fellowship of two prayer warriors.  I was also joyfully reminded of a dear family friend from Bedford Presby. Church, Joyce Abbott (as we knew her), who I always think of when I think of faithful prayer warriors, people who really will pray for you when they say they will.  She has been a true example to me (and many others I know) of a devoted follower of God who takes everything to God in prayer.  Thank you, Joyce, and FPC prayer ladies.  You are a powerful witness to me!

God's Girls

What a joy it is to spend time in fellowship and theological reflection with God’s Girls, a weekly mentor/fellowship group I've created for Middle & High School girls in the church.  Over just a few short weeks, I have the joy of witnessing the girls bonding with each other and reaching out to one another in love and support.  I also feel a stronger bond with them and feel that I am an important part of their lives for this summer (and God willing, for the future, even when I physically leave this congregation). 

For last week's event, I chose some healthy summer recipes (from Seventeen Magazine, surprisingly enough!) for us to prepare together for 'cooking class.'  One of my goals with God’s Girls is to introduce them and/or encourage them to live healthy lifestyles.  As a former teenager myself, I know what it is like to struggle with self-esteem, culture's view of 'a perfect body,' and knowing I didn't fit in that description.  I also remember what it was like to be an overweight teen; thankfully with my family and God's help, I overcame my bad eating habits and would like to help other teens in need, if the Spirit allows.  The girls loved the recipes (even the humus wrap, which I was skeptical about!) and I plan to pass the recipe cards out at our next meeting so they can prepare them at home for their families and friends. 

Yet, the most beautiful part of the day was when we discussed the book we’re reading (another goal of God’s Girls-literacy), The Skin I’m In.  The book deals with topics of self-acceptance/self-love, bullying, racial conflicts, judgment, self-esteem, friendships, peer pressure, romantic relationships, family issues, literacy, etc.  The 6 girls in attendance this week seemed to be getting into the book and really connected with the issues the book addresses so wonderfully.  Several of the girls opened up and shared their own personal experiences of bullying, peer pressure, and more.  For privacy reasons, I will not hint at what the girls shared, but let's just say it included very deep disclosures; their vulnerability was moving.  I was so grateful that the girls felt safe enough in our space to open up and share their painful experiences.  May God continue to work through our conversations and time of fellowship.  May these lovely young ladies of God feel safe and loved so that they may share the cries of their hearts with their peers and mentor.