All Good Wishes for the Christmas season and the New Year It’s the end of the year, and much is happening. The Community of St. Dysmas is strong, and the Word of God is reaching people. We take this opportunity to extend to you our sincere thanks for your prayers and support during the year. We wish you and yours the blessings of the Christmas season and all good things in the coming year. SEARCH UPDATE Once more the Community of St. Dysmas is in the process of calling a pastor to shepherd its members in five institutions within the State of Maryland. This is no easy task, so we ask your prayers as we proceed down the path. A call committee was formed, and includes two former inmate members. It has met with a representative from the Synod office. With the guidance of the Synod, the committee is making progress toward finding a pastor to lead this flock. Recall with us the logistics of this ministry – five prisons, five worship services, and the needs of men and women from various backgrounds to be met. This is a ministry where the gospel is critical, and the need is great to hear that we are children of God. We have had requests to expand the ministry, and with God’s help, we look forward to the day we may be able to do that. With the progress the committee has made, we are hopeful that we will be able to call a pastor soon in the new year. COUNCIL SCHEDULE FOR 2006 Mark your calendars, now! The Annual Meeting of the Community of St. Dysmas will be held at Second English Lutheran Church, 5010 Briarclift Road, Baltimore, Maryland on Sunday, January 8, 2006, at 2:00pm. At that time there will be a pot-luck luncheon for all interested persons. Nominations will be received, and elections will be held for persons to fill vacancies and serve on council. Council will meet immediately following. In keeping with the requirements of the ELCA, the outside council of the Community of St. Dysmas will meet six times during 2006. To encourage participation among volunteers and interested parties from both our "east" and "west" areas of ministry, the council has determined to have these meetings at alternate sites. Meetings will be the second Sunday of all odd-numbered months, with the exception of May. Odd-numbered months were selected to avoid meeting during December. During May, because the second Sunday is Mother’s Day, the council will meet the third Sunday of the month. Meetings in January, May, and September will be held at Second English Lutheran Church. Meetings in March, July, and November will be held at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Frederick, Maryland. Within this ministry we are encouraged. As the circle of prayer grows, so does the circle of friendship and the faith of those who participate. All are blessed. We thank you for your participation, whatever that may be. We give thanks for the faithful volunteers who give of their time and for those who give of their means

As this ministry is of the prisoners and for the prisoners, we asked the inmates for some comments to include here for you. These comments include the following: + St. Dysmas is a place to share feelings about scriptures -to give insight- to gain insight. + We are not always in agreement but learn coaptation. + After 17-18 years we are a community of close friends with a place to resolve problems spiritually- as well as being aware of the needs and rights of an incarcerated individual. + MCIH has had the pleasure of enjoying Pr Blaine Feightner, Pr Charles Frederick and Pr Chad Kline as well as the volunteers that share their time to meet together. + The study- Journey Together Faithfully- The Church and Homosexuality - brought out a lot of opinions- opened the eyes of some and gave us a chance to interact with the ELCA by filling out the questionnaire and mailing in personal comments. + We are thankful for the volunteers who give their time when they could be elsewhere. + We wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year with time with those they love. + Thanks to everyone who helps with this ministry. It means a lot to me in my search for what is right in my life. Just a note – it doesn’t take a lot to bring joy to the lives of our members. Why not consider visiting – with a friend, with part or all of your church choir or bell choir, or alone. During the past two months, the various sites of The Community of St. Dysmas have been blessed by the presence of several pastors. These men and women have given of their time and talents – some with no reimbursement – to help us during this interim period without a pastor. We are grateful for, and thank the following: Reverend Marie Bunt Reverend Paul Collinson-Streng Reverend Jeffrey Corson Reverend Blain Feightner Reverend Andrea Hagen-Arndt Reverend William Lundgren Reverend Gerald Miller Seminarian – Robert Leaverton These people truly exemplify the words of Matthew 25:34-40 "Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. [35] For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, [36] I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' [37] "Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? [38] When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? [39] When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' [40] "The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.' ~ May the peace of the Lord be with you ~

The Community of St. Dysmas
5010 Briarclift Road
Baltimore, Maryland 21229-1393

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