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Kairos Prison Ministry
The mission of the Kairos Prison Ministry is to bring Christ's love and forgiveness to all incarcerated individuals, their families and those who work with them, and to assist in the transition of becoming a productive citizen. Kairos Prison Ministry is a ministry by persons drawn from a broad range of denominational churches. Kairos volunteers have experience in renewal movements within their churches, which focus on small group dynamics, share and prayer groups, personal witness and vulnerability in Christian community. It is a continuing ministry. There are several components to the ministry. Kairos Inside ministers to current inmates. Kairos Outside supports the loved ones of those who are or have been incarcerated. Kairos Torch, the newest initiative in Maryland, is designed for youth ages 24 and younger who are currently in juvenile detention or correctional facilities. Kairos Transitional Aftercare ministers to released prisoners. Aftercare mentors help the released person achieve stability during their transition from incarceration to freedom with responsibility. Kairos Inside (MCI-H and RCH-H) is a 3-day weekend event, essentially offering a short course in Christianity. The purpose is to prepare selected residents for life in an ongoing Christian community inside the prison and to impact the correctional environment through the action of the leaders, as apostles of Jesus Christ, in all areas of human activity in the prison. LGUMC has provided team members for all of the Kairos men’s weekends at MCI-Hagerstown and RCI-Hagerstown. Follow up meetings are held on Wednesdays of each week and a Reunion is held on the third Saturday of each month from 9:00 to 11:30. The team of volunteers — both clergy and laypersons — works in cooperation with the Prison Chaplain who carefully selects up to 42 inmates to attend. Team members must have previously participated in a similar short course in Christianity (such as the Walk to Emmaus), attend team-building meetings in preparation for going into the prison, and commit to attend one year of monthly reunions after the weekend. Applications and more information can be found on marylandkairos.org.LGUMC members have baked thousands of cookies as part of the weekend experience. However, due to changing state regulations, we can no longer take food into the institution but we buy the dough and have them prepared in the institution’s kitchens. These cookies are instrumental in helping the inmates feel God’s love and forgiveness. Green Agape/financial contributions are also welcome as these weekends are provided without cost to the prisoners. Kairos Inside for women(MCI-W) held its first weekend in the fall of 2009 at the Women’s Correctional Facility in Jessup, MD. Thirty-six women participated and the program was well received. More information can be found on the Maryland Kairos website. Kairos Outsideis a special weekend retreat designed to support the female loved ones of men who are or have been in prison. Families of prisoners “do time” along with their loved ones. It is important for them to know that they are not alone and that there is a Christian community that cares. In a safe environment with loving people, women interact with other women who are in similar situations and learn to form small groups to support and give them strength for the challenges they face. Kairos Outside is on-going for the Baltimore area. The requirements for team participation are similar to the requirements for participating in a Kairos Inside weekend in a prison. Men and women are needed to support the Kairos ministry. Same-sex teaming for Kairos Inside and Outside weekends require support teams which can include men and women.Kairos Torch is a 2-day program for youth ages 24 and under who live in juvenile detention or correctional facilities. The ecumenical Torch team introduces young men and women to Christian concepts to help them make better choices for their lives. The initial weekend is followed by an established mentoring program that involves one on one mentoring sessions. The Torch program is designed to encourage participants to remove their masks and develop a mature means of making better choices, thus building their self-esteem. Making better choices gives the participants hope for a life not affiliated with gangs and crime. Watch the website for updates on this new initiative. Kairos Transitional AftercareAftercare involves mentoring of released brothers and sisters, and training workshops are provided for prospective and current mentors. Ford Rowan has conducted several training sessions already, and if you are interested in Aftercare, contact any Kairos brother or sister.
Each of these programs depends upon the willingness of others who feel called to serve. That could mean being part of a team or support team, becoming a mentor, participating in sponsorship programs, making tax exempt “Green Agape” contributions, becoming a prayer warrior. Are you being called? LGUMC members also serve on the Maryland State Committee and the Local Advisory Council for KairosContact Richard Bontz, Tom Dudley, Tom Hoffman, Paul Jensen, Phil Kaylor, David Lewis, Rob Pierson, or Russ Snyder for more information, or visit the National Kairos website at: http://www.kairosprisonministry.org or the Maryland Kairos website at http://www.marylandkairos.org. Matthew 25:36: “I was in prison and you visited me.”
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