1. INTRODUCTION / HISTORY:
• What is the "Community of St. Dysmas" (CSD)?

  It is a congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) in the Delaware-Maryland Synod, presently existing within five state prisons; Maryland Correctional Institution at Hagerstown (MCIH), Roxbury Correctional Institution (RCI), Maryland Correctional Training Center (MCTC), Maryland Correctional Institution at Jessup (MCIJ), and Maryland Correctional Institution for Women (MCIW). All are medium security institutions except MCIW, which is a maximum security facility. All have weekly worship services (Eucharist offered every week), and almost all have weekly Bible studies conducted.

• Where does the name “St. Dysmas” come from?

  In Luke’s version of the crucifixion, the man on the right of Jesus says, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." And Jesus replies, "Today you will be with me in paradise." Early church tradition named this man "Dysmas".

• When did the congregation begin?

  It was formally organized as a congregation on March 16, 1985, following a period of initial development in 1984. This congregation was formed through the former American Lutheran Church (ALC) in its Eastern District.

• How/why did it get started?

  In the late 1970’s and early 1980’s some Lutheran congregations in the Baltimore-Washington area participated in a series of forums on criminal justice issues sponsored by Lutheran Social Services (LSS) of Central Maryland. In addition to these conferences, St. John’s Lutheran Church in Columbia, MD, conducted a Mission Inventory study, from which came the question, "How can we minister to inmates incarcerated within this congregation's territory?" A base task force came to life from these events, recommending ways churches could get more involved in the correctional system. One of the suggestions was that those incarcerated develop their own congregation. Marianna Burt, a lawyer advising LSS at the time, saw the development of this congregation as a way for inmates to do for themselves, helping them build healthy relationships and develop self-esteem and self-respect. As she put it, "You can never do for people, you must do with people." She saw inmate ownership as an essential component of the idea of the congregation. After dialogues with the Division of Corrections (DOC), permission was granted for the formation of a Lutheran congregation. The ALC offered initial funding for the organizing of the ministry, and in 1984 Pastor Ed Nesselhuf was called to be its first pastor.

2. MEMBERSHIP / WORSHIP:
• How many people belong to CSD?

  In practice, anyone who shows up for worship and/or Bible study "belongs" to CSD. Since we don’t issue ID cards, all are welcome anytime. "Come and see" is really how business is done. Some people come and stay for years, and some come and are part of the life of the community for only a short while. In practice, people do not just drop in. To come to our services and Bible study, they must designate a preference for our services, and then they are prohibited from attending other services or studies (Protestant, Catholic, Islam, etc). So, even with this requirement, as of April 1, 2006, we had 134 inmates listed by DOC as preferring us.

  Of the 5 prisons, average worship attendance fluctuates between 50 and 70 people per week, with over 100 inmates communing with us at least once each year.

• How do inmates become “members”?

  One way is through baptism. In April 2006, we had 11 inmates come to the font for baptism, and they became baptized members of CSD. Another way is through service. We currently have 50 registered volunteers, whom we count as Associate members. Then as described above, those inmates that list us as their preference for religious services and activities are counted as our members. These inmates become voting members if they attend worship and receive communion at least once per year.

3. CURRENT AFFAIRS:
• What is unique about CSD compared to other prison ministries?

  CSD differs in four important ways. It is…

  • A real congregation, with inmate ownership, participation, leadership, and responsibility.
  • A ministry of Word and Sacrament, offering weekly Communion, and Baptism when requested.
  • A place where outsiders and insiders encounter each other, building a network of people who realize "we are all in this together!"
  • An actual Lutheran parish of the Delaware-Maryland Synod, with an ordained Lutheran pastor who is not part of the state chaplaincy.
• How have congregations/individuals been involved?

  There are a number of ways in which individuals and congregations have been involved in the life of CSD. Many of you have prayed for us, you have visited worship services and/or other events with us, you have helped sponsor our ministries, and you have supported us financially. We would not be able to make it were it not for your generous support.

  The people if CSD always need your prayers. There are many hurting people here, as there are in your congregations on Sunday mornings. Another important way you have participated in the life of CSD has been by coming to visit our worship services. In the past several years, representatives from approximately 50% of the congregations in the region have visited worship services at least once.

• How is CSD organized?

  Teams and Governing Board. Although there used to be a board composed of members inside each institution, current regulations no longer allow inmates to be in leadership positions, so CSD is led by a governing/administrative board composed of volunteers who feel called to help lead CSD in its ministry in the world. The board acts much like a council at a traditional parish, leading and guiding the congregation through the waters of life.

  Volunteers associated with CSD ministry in particular prisons form a CSD team for that particular institution. For example, if you were a volunteer at MCIH, then you would be on the CSD "MCIH Team". The teams work together to find ways to bring and receive the blessings of God through the men or women of that institution.

• Who is the current pastor?

  Rev. William Lundgren succeeded Rev. Chad Kline on March 10, 2006. Pastor Chad Kline had served as Pastor since June 2003, prior to tendering his resignation. Reverend William Lundgren was called to be the new pastor through his work as a registered volunteer with Kairos Prison Ministry for 5 years and with CSD for 3 years prior to accepting the call to be CSD’s fifth ordained pastor.

  The current Office Manager is Robert Mauck, who has over 36 years of administrative/managerial experience and is retired from the private sector.

• How effective has CSD been?

  On a statistical level, CSD has had a major impact on the men and women involved. A recent survey conducted a few years ago showed that within a 10-year period, only 17% of those released men and women who were part of CSD on the inside came back to prison. During a recent 3-year period for the Division of Corrections in general, the recidivism rate was 70%. That is, 70% of those released within the general population of inmates returned back to prison.

  Practically and spiritually, part of the ministry of CSD is to help people live in healthier ways and make healthier decisions. The clearer a person sees the light of God shining within them, the clearer they will see the light of God shining within others. And the clearer one sees the light of God, the more respect, honor and dignity one has for oneself and for others.

Revised September 2006