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
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
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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