19 of us went; Gary led the music together with Vern, Rhonda, Jesse and Darren. Al chaired the service, Jeff shared the sermon.
As we entered the chapel we were greeted by a few of the early guys. It was nice to be welcomed by them, into their church. Usually it’s the other way around.
Our choice of music always sets an atmosphere. It does so in this fellowship as well. Sometimes we use their hymnals, this time we sang popular choruses that we sing in our church. There may have been less participation from them, but they listened intently and joined in when they caught the melody.
Jeff shared from his heart. He had previously shared some of his testimony, and he continued it this time. He spoke of prayer, of forgiveness, and of grace. How he was reminded by other believers that God wanted for him to forgive those who hurt him most deeply, and then how he was able to grant forgiveness by pouring out his heart to God. Thank you Jeff, for sharing that with all of us.
A few more songs, a keyboard number from Jesse, and it was coffee time. I believe the count would have been close to 40 guys from the inside, and with the beautiful spring weather about 10 or so left for exercise time. The rest of us had coffee and talked.
I am intrigued with how God puts us with people in that setting. This time I was able to spend time with a fellow that grew up right in my home area. He was best friends with our former next-door neighbors. He spoke of how Ted had been there for him through the years, like a father figure. I was so pleased to hear how Ted had been such an encouragement in his life, and how much he relied on that support. We really need to realize how much we make an impact on the young people around us.
As I watched the rest of the room I was again impressed with the true fellowship I saw. Vern and S were going through some Bible study in preparation for S being baptized. Pastor Ben joined them. There were so many friendships developing between us. God was there. Gary was off in a corner with N, who was eager for someone to listen. And in the middle of the room, my daughter Erin, using her gift of counseling to help guide the life of another inmate.
We were joined for our “Team Special” at Boston Pizza by Farid and his new family. It was so good to hear that he has found new stability on the outside. He and his wife Sharon are embarking on a new journey, documenting stories of the residential school survivors, an era that we struggle to comprehend. I smiled as he told of his experiences on the winter roads this past year, crossing over thin ice, hearing the ice cracking under his tires, and praying fervently to God for protection. Let’s continue to hold him up in our prayers.
Once again we were blessed to be there. We pray that we were also able to bless them.
Gerald Barkman
Monday, May 10, 2010
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Information for Volunteers:
Stony Mountain Chapel Training Sessions
Corrections Canada wants for us to be safe in the work we do at Stony Mountain. I am very grateful for that. Although many of us have been a part of chapel for 5 years and running, they still want for us to have a few hours of in-house training. Those of us in the Open Circle program have the same requirement, but ours will be more intense training. The benefits are quite simple
- Learn how to keep yourself safe
- Learn more about life on the inside. The guys only tell us bits and pieces of their lives. What is their routine, do they all have jobs etc
- Learn some of the words you should never use with an inmate, i.e. “goof”
- Learn the hands-on definition of some of the rules, i.e. what does “nothing in, nothing out” actually mean?
- It decreases the workload for Martha and Hank in that your applications will not need to be redone annually if you have the clearance card.
- It will ensure that you can attend each time – they may begin restricting your entry if you have not participated in the training.
A better understanding of their lives will always help us to minister to inmates more completely. If you received an invitation to attend, please consider it seriously. This latest session is for those who come to chapel and do not have the enhanced clearance.
Let’s use this blog as a meeting point for some of this information. If you are going and would like to carpool, please leave a comment. We will be monitoring this blog regularly.
Gerald
Corrections Canada wants for us to be safe in the work we do at Stony Mountain. I am very grateful for that. Although many of us have been a part of chapel for 5 years and running, they still want for us to have a few hours of in-house training. Those of us in the Open Circle program have the same requirement, but ours will be more intense training. The benefits are quite simple
- Learn how to keep yourself safe
- Learn more about life on the inside. The guys only tell us bits and pieces of their lives. What is their routine, do they all have jobs etc
- Learn some of the words you should never use with an inmate, i.e. “goof”
- Learn the hands-on definition of some of the rules, i.e. what does “nothing in, nothing out” actually mean?
- It decreases the workload for Martha and Hank in that your applications will not need to be redone annually if you have the clearance card.
- It will ensure that you can attend each time – they may begin restricting your entry if you have not participated in the training.
A better understanding of their lives will always help us to minister to inmates more completely. If you received an invitation to attend, please consider it seriously. This latest session is for those who come to chapel and do not have the enhanced clearance.
Let’s use this blog as a meeting point for some of this information. If you are going and would like to carpool, please leave a comment. We will be monitoring this blog regularly.
Gerald
Friday, March 5, 2010
Stony Mountain Service – Feb 28, 2010
Submitted by Gerald Barkman
Brief Overview
- 17 of us went for our first service of the year
- Gary led the music, with help from Vern, Darlene and Darren
- John H. was the chair, Gerald B. spoke
We left the comfort of our homes with the Canada – USA gold medal game heading into the third period. That takes some commitment, especially with Canada hanging on to that 1 goal lead. But we have a purpose – God has called us to church.
The ride was quite uneventful, aside from the winning goal being scored as we neared Winnipeg. Canada won, and we have an excellent conversation starter. The Olympics are a big deal, not only to us, but also to the guys inside the walls. It takes their minds off the day-to-day. They cheer for excellence. It shortens their time; at least it seems that way. For many of them, they have seen a few of these games come and go….
We arrive and set up for the music. Jesse is there for his first time. We make sure we do the usual warnings, and he absorbs the atmosphere.
We tried some new music. Music sets a good atmosphere. These guys are relaxed; they join in heartily on the songs they know. Gerald shared some stories from Angel Tree. They want to hear stories of this program. It is a part of our life, but more so a part of theirs. I told of D., of K., and of J. These are 3 people who care, who love God and show it in obedience to their calling to serve. I relate it to Matthew 25:34-38. Yes, there were a few tears. We sing some more, then Hank closes the meeting.
Of the 55 guys in attendance, only 5 or so leave for exercise at the end of chapel. The rest sit and talk. You can see relationship in the room. Darren has mastered the arm wrestle, beating S. on both left and right arms. Darlene sits at the piano with one of the guys, making music for the rest of us. Vern and another inmate do the same on the guitar. C., whose family lives in The Pas, thanks me for delivering the gifts. The gifts were exactly as he had requested, and yes, she did find them at the daycare where we dropped them off. We sensed that God had directed us when we delivered that one!!
The service seemed to touch a lot of lives. Hank commented how there would be a lot of soul searching happening this week. And maybe a few more intense conversations in his office. God was with us. Let’s keep praying for the guys.
We debrief over the “team special” at Boston Pizza. We are a team, maybe we lack some athleticism they intended, but we truly fit the team description. Stories are shared for others to be praying about. We are able to support each other when we share our feelings after an evening like this.
Brief Overview
- 17 of us went for our first service of the year
- Gary led the music, with help from Vern, Darlene and Darren
- John H. was the chair, Gerald B. spoke
We left the comfort of our homes with the Canada – USA gold medal game heading into the third period. That takes some commitment, especially with Canada hanging on to that 1 goal lead. But we have a purpose – God has called us to church.
The ride was quite uneventful, aside from the winning goal being scored as we neared Winnipeg. Canada won, and we have an excellent conversation starter. The Olympics are a big deal, not only to us, but also to the guys inside the walls. It takes their minds off the day-to-day. They cheer for excellence. It shortens their time; at least it seems that way. For many of them, they have seen a few of these games come and go….
We arrive and set up for the music. Jesse is there for his first time. We make sure we do the usual warnings, and he absorbs the atmosphere.
We tried some new music. Music sets a good atmosphere. These guys are relaxed; they join in heartily on the songs they know. Gerald shared some stories from Angel Tree. They want to hear stories of this program. It is a part of our life, but more so a part of theirs. I told of D., of K., and of J. These are 3 people who care, who love God and show it in obedience to their calling to serve. I relate it to Matthew 25:34-38. Yes, there were a few tears. We sing some more, then Hank closes the meeting.
Of the 55 guys in attendance, only 5 or so leave for exercise at the end of chapel. The rest sit and talk. You can see relationship in the room. Darren has mastered the arm wrestle, beating S. on both left and right arms. Darlene sits at the piano with one of the guys, making music for the rest of us. Vern and another inmate do the same on the guitar. C., whose family lives in The Pas, thanks me for delivering the gifts. The gifts were exactly as he had requested, and yes, she did find them at the daycare where we dropped them off. We sensed that God had directed us when we delivered that one!!
The service seemed to touch a lot of lives. Hank commented how there would be a lot of soul searching happening this week. And maybe a few more intense conversations in his office. God was with us. Let’s keep praying for the guys.
We debrief over the “team special” at Boston Pizza. We are a team, maybe we lack some athleticism they intended, but we truly fit the team description. Stories are shared for others to be praying about. We are able to support each other when we share our feelings after an evening like this.
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