Help the Prison Ministry with cookies or your presence
On October 19 we will be joining twenty-six other men from churches from throughout eastern Virginia in a Prison Ministry weekend at Sussex II State Prison in Waverly, Virginia. This weekend is under the auspices of Kairos Prison Ministry International, which conducts similar weekends in forty states and in several foreign countries. During this weekend forty-two inmates will spend four days learning about Jesus Christ and about how He can change lives, even those in prison. There are two ways you can participate in this ministry.
Homemade Cookies send a powerful message
As part of this weekend ministry thousands of homemade cookies are given out to all the inmates in the prison and for that I need your help. Your homemade cookies tell the residents that someone who doesn’t even know them still cares enough to give them something — the time it takes to bake the cookies — without wanting something in return. Such selflessness is often a unique experience for them. It also teaches them to trust. Most inmates in the prison system are takers, not givers. This brief experience of sharing something of value freely — often with those they do not like — has a powerful effect. I need 66 volunteers to make three dozen cookies each. If you can help, let me know. I will send you the prison security requirements for the cookies. You must follow so that we can bring the cookies into the prison. Cookies must be dropped off at the WPC kitchen no later than October 18 at close of business.
Participate in the Closing Ceremony
Another way you can participate in this ministry is to attend the Kairos Weekend Closing Ceremony on October 23rd at 12:30pm in the prison. This is a unique experience to see how the Holy Spirit changes lives. Anyone over 18 years of age can attend. If you would like to participate, you will need to complete a form so that the VA Department of Corrections can do a background check. If you wish to go you must complete a background check form no later than October 14th. Contact me for a copy of the form and Department of Correction rules for visitors or if you have any questions.
Thanks for your support.
–Joe Avellar, for the Outreach Ministry
