Listen for the LEADING of the LORD

IN THIS ISSUE ...

* THEME STORY
* FROM CSD
* ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
* HOW CAN I HELP?

THE LORD LEADS US

I Must Say Goodbye ...After much prayerful consideration and pastoral consultation, I have decided to resign as Pastor of the Community of St. Dysmas (CSD) effective 1 August 2005. Although this decision comes neither lightly nor easily, I think it is the best for all. There are several reasons, both professional and personal, influencing this decision.

I know over these past 2 plus years I have made contributions towards the success and development of this ministry. I leave confident that I have done a good deal of ministry, and I have done good ministry, among the people of St. Dysmas. I have always cared for the members of CSD. I have made a sincere effort to minister to them, and I have cherished their ministry to me (more than they will know). There was more I could have done, but that is true with any worthwhile ministry (and this IS one). I don’t know of any pastor, no matter how long they work, who goes to bed at night with an empty In-Box.

I have enjoyed sharing this ministry with you all; spending time with you, and doing ministry with you all, volunteers and insiders. As I write this, many names and faces come to my mind (and heart), many situations we went through, many questions and issues we grappled with, many prayers we lifted, many songs we sang, many confessions we made, and many communions shared. I shall be sustained by the countless graces I have received through you all. I know God will continue to bless this ministry for many more years to come.

What Will Happen in the Mean Time? At this point the council begins the process of finding a new pastor. Since there is no one as yet to replace me, I will continue conducting worship services at all five prisons until the end of October. Hopefully by that point, someone will be identified as potential pastor. I will bring this person inside with me once they are in the pipeline. That way the CSD members will be able to have some contact with them, and be able to have some say as to their new pastor.

This Is a Powerful Ministry ... Although I will continue to remain on the various institutional volunteer rosters as a CSD volunteer after October, staying connected in this way, helping out as needed, I will miss this ministry, I will miss the people. The heart of this ministry is people being there for other people. That will never change. What may surprise you is I do not just mean people on the outside being there for people on the inside. We are all there for each other. That’s part of the power of this ministry! Although the people on the inside are the only ones that are technically "members", The Community of St. Dysmas really is ALL of us together.

Come And See ... If you have never come inside to experience the powerful prayers, the relevant issues people grapple with, and the honesty of the discussions ... I would invite you to be a part of this. If your congregation is close enough, I would invite you to either send in a group or come by yourself to worship inside one evening.

I can already sense some blood-pressure levels rising. I know an invitation like this might increase anxiety in some. I’m sure this sounds a bit scary. You may be expecting what you have seen in movies. I must assure you, what you will experience is probably not that. Imagine visiting a new congregation, where the people welcome you, and thank you for coming to worship with them. However to get to this room, you have to walk through some sliding metal doors ... But other than that, it’s people coming together for worship, prayer, and fellowship ... just like at any church!

Either way, it’s the people that bring visitors back! The volunteers and members are always very welcoming and gracious. And the experience is often described afterward as transformative. Needless to say ... being a part of the Community of St. Dysmas changes people on the inside AND the outside.

The Lord leads us all ... What does the future hold for the Community of St. Dysmas? In general I would say that God still moves among the volunteers and the members. There are some very committed volunteers, people with real energy and passion, people with tremendous dedication to what they do. I know the council will pray that the Lord attracts the right person. I know the other volunteers will pray, and I will pray as well. I ask that you also pray. Some of you have sent donations in the past, some of you have CSD on your prayer list, and some of you have called about information. We ask all of you to keep CSD in your prayers at this very important time.

Return to issue contents

ABOUT THE COMMUNITY ...

Come Inside – You are welcome to come and visit ... come and participate, come and see. All prisons allow visitors to come and be a part of the worship services and/or Bible studies. If you are interested please call the office for details (410-233-7897). Each prisons has it’s own procedures for allowing people in. Remember ... It’s not what you think! You’ll be pleasantly surprised! The office manager will be able to help you set something up. COME AND SEE!

Walk-a-thon(s) – There will be another walk-a-thon this fall to raise money and awareness for this ministry. However there will be two locations. One will be near the Hagerstown, MD, area, and the other will be near the Annapolis area. The date will be Saturday the 15th of October. You can support in two ways: 1- support a volunteer as they walk/run or 2- or come and walk/run yourself. Times and locations to be announced. Stay tuned for more info ... or call the office for further details.

From Letters – Excerpts from letters from men and women that have been either transferred, or are otherwise unable to be present at CSD activities.

"I did receive the package from the office, and I’m reading them now. Thanks so much for remembering me, and keep me in your prayers."

From Bill H., who has been transferred to a prison that does not have a St. Dysmas presence. We at the office try to keep as many people who have been transferred to institutions that do not have a St. Dysmas presence as connected as possible. We send them the materials they would have gotten if had they remained in the congregation.

"Please inform the congregation I am doing well, and thanks for keeping me in their prayers."

From Lisa R., at the women’s prison. She has been in segregation, isolated from the regular life on the inside, and unable to be part of her church community ... CSD.

"Thank you so very much for touching my life with the Word of God when I needed it the most."

From Brad E., who was transferred in July from one of the prisons CSD goes to.

Return to issue contents

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS – THANK YOU’s ...

*To all of you who donate time, talent, treasure, heart and prayer to this ministry ... I want to thank you all in a public way! Many insiders are forgotten, intentionally or otherwise, by people on the outside. YOU help them remember they are NOT FORGOTTEN! If it weren’t for your dedication and faithfulness to the incarcerated men and women, this ministry would not survive as it has for 20 years ... and made such a difference in the lives of many! THANK YOU and God bless you all!

Return to issue contents

HOW CAN I HELP?

PRAYER – This is a ministry of "broken people" ministering to each other. Truth is, we’re all broken in a way ... just that some wounds are more obvious than others. We cannot continue without your prayers!

CONSIDER BEING A VISITOR – This is a "where-the-rubber-meets-the-road" experience. It’s probably not what you think; you’ll feel safer than you might suspect, you’ll feel more welcomed than you might expect, and you’ll probably be surprised at how much you’ll get out of this experience. If I can generalize, I’d say volunteers do this because they are fed spiritually from this as well. If you feel prompted to try this, please let the office know at least one month ahead.

LET US KNOW IF YOU WANT MORE INFORMATION ABOUT –

• Providing yarn for the women’s prison
• Being a mentor at the men’s prison in Jessup
• Providing: reading material, Bible study materials, devotionals

FINANCIAL SUPPORT – CSD continues to rely on you, and we thank you for your support. Outsiders are our only source of support. This ministry is Gospel-centered, helping people recognize the light and spirit within them, whether inside or out. But, like any other ministry, we do need money to pay bills, buy materials, and support incarcerated and released people. If you have supported CSD before, thank you – this ministry could not get done without your help. Although there are many ways to make a difference, please consider making a difference in this way.

INVITE CSD YOUR CHURCH! – Invite someone from CSD to come and share the stories and vision of the Community of St. Dysmas with your congregation/committees/ teams! There are volunteers willing to come and share their experiences with your youth group, social ministry team, or other group. Call the office for details!

I’ve always loved blessings, so ...

The Lord bless you and keep you.
The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you.
The Lord look upon you with favor… and give you peace!
            Amen

Pastor Chad Kline

... JUST A WORD

For over 20 years The Community of St. Dysmas has ministered to inmates within the walls of the Maryland Correctional System. This ministry is strong, and continues to serve those within prison walls. Our service is, in no small part, because of you. Your prayers, your presence, and your offerings sustain us through change and through the challenges we face.

Now we bid farewell to Pastor Chad Kline. Pr. Chad has served this ministry for over 2 years, and has accomplished much for the ministry. Now he has chosen to follow a different path in service to our Lord. We know he will be missed, but we wish him well on his chosen path.

The Council and the volunteers of the Community of St. Dysmas are faithful, committed Christians, who believe in the value of this ministry, and who readily respond to our Lord’s word, "when I was in prison you visited me." With your continued prayers and support this ministry will continue to provide the Good News of the Gospel to those we serve.

Please join with us in prayer as our call committee begins its search for a new pastor for this ministry. Your prayers and encouragement mean so much.

Please know, also, that we have volunteers who are able to visit you - for adult forums, for committee meetings, for Sunday worship – to talk with you, to tell you of our ministry, or to preach God’s word. Please call or write to the office of the Community of St. Dysmas and we’ll get right back with you.

Again, thank you for your prayers and support at this time.

            Paula S. Thistle
            Chair, Outside Council

Return to issue contents

AUGUST, 2005

THE LORD LEADS US

The Community of St. Dysmas
5010 Briarclift Road
Baltimore, Maryland 21229-1351

Robert L. Mauck Office Manager The Community of St. Dysmas Lutheran Prison Ministry

Return to top of page.