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The Ongoing Work of Reconciliation
by Greg Rodgers
Ken and Jim are two ex-offenders who had been in conflict with each other for several months, (even resorting to violence in order to deal with their differences). However, when a mutual friend of the streets died recently from a drug overdose, Ken and Jim found it within themselves to resolve their differences. They have even found the ability to care for one another in very pastoral ways.
Pierre is a lifer who is now a volunteer of Project Reconciliation. He is a man who, while incarcerated, took advantage of every opportunity that would help him to take responsibility for his crime and to prepare for the possibility of parole. He has been driven by his deep desire to be reconciled to his victims, to his community and to God.
Pierre recently told me that by involving himself in the work of Project Reconciliation, he has felt for the first time since becoming an offender that there is a community of people who have shown him that the forgiveness of God is real.
Trina is a young woman who has been in and out of trouble with the law for several years now, (both as a young offender and as an adult). She has difficulty in resorting to anything other than her rather destructive survival skills in order to deal with her personal issues. As a result she often leaves herself, as well as the safety of others, at risk from her ways of dealing with life and relational conflict.
Trina's actions resulted in our staff having to take the reluctant action of barring her from our programs, only because she was a threat to others who had a right to feel safe within our premises. However, the first steps towards reconciliation were taken by Trina when she slipped into the back pew during my recent induction service, and then remained behind to genuinely offer me her best wishes.
Don't underestimate the power of God's grace at work in each of these stories. They are examples of lives alienated from God and others, who have taken couragous steps in order to find reconciliation, because of the motivation of God's grace. This is the ongoing work of God's reconciliation.
Project Reconciliation Celebrates 25th Anniversary
and Induction of New Director
November 23rd was a day of celebration for the Project Reconciliation community. We began the day by recognizing Restorative Justice Week during the morning worship service of First Baptist Church, Kingston. Rev. Hugh Kirkegaard, Acting Regional Chaplain for CSC- Ontario Region was the guest speaker.
In the afternoon a special service of Induction was held for Rev. Greg Rodgers as the new director of Project Reconciliation and Community Chaplain for Kingston. The service was a time of great celebration in which many from faith and the corrections communities participated. We were also honoured to have representation from 3 levels of government, including Hon. Peter Millikin (MP), Hon. John Gerretsen (MPP), and Floyd Patterson (Kingston City Council). During the service we were challenged by a great message delivered by Rev. Harry Nigh, community chaplain for Toronto.
The day concluded with a special dinner and celebration of the 25th anniversary of Project Reconciliation. Both the Board and Director of Project Reconciliation wish to express their gratitude to all who joined with us on this special day.
Did You Know?
Did you know that faith communities have a major role to play in the successful re-integration of ex-offenders who return to our communities? In a survey conducted by Correctional Services of Canada, over 80% of federal ex-offenders who have successfully returned to their communities without re-offending, credit their faith community as one of the major influences in their rehabilitation.
Those of us who represent local churches have a far greater impact upon our correctional system than we often realize. Local congregations and individuals representing faith communities who are involved in God's restorative work in this field need our affirmation and support.
Here are some examples of God's people at work:
Ministry inside correctional facilities: Every week men and women of faith commit themselves to going behind the walls of prisons and detention centres, helping to lead in chapel services, bible studies, life skills programs, etc.; and by assisting chaplains in countless ways.
Giving Inmates a Second Chance: In Kingston, as many as two dozen local churches provide citizen escorts for inmates from minimum security institutions to attend Sunday worship services. Many Christian business people participate in work release programs for inmates as well.
Denominational Commitments: The Salvation Army and the Mennonite Churches of Canada (to name just a few) are examples of Christian denominations that have invested heavily into corrections based ministries, and in doing so have gained the praises of our correctional services.
Support and Accompaniment: Many men and women of faith are personally involved in supportive roles with the families of inmates, (the forgotten victims of crime).
Community Chaplaincy: Project Reconciliation is just one of more than 30 faith-based organizations currently under contract with Correctional Services of Canada as Community Chaplaincy programs. These groups minister to thousands of prisoners, ex-offenders and families of inmates each month.
These examples barely scratch the service of the church's involvement in God's restorative work throughout our country. Even though it may sound cliche, correctional based ministry is one of the fields of service in which the blessings far outweigh the price of investment.
What Does a Week in the life of "the Project" Look like?
Before I took over as director of Project Reconciliation, I had only heard of its name, and had only a vague perception of the organization's purpose. I was blown away when I learned of the Project's weekly activities and of its impact upon lives within the city of Kingston. Putting myself in the shoes of many who are on the outside looking in, I thought that I would take this opportunity to enlighten you on what an average week in the life of Project Reconciliation looks like.
Monday, Wednesday, Friday Afternoons (and Sunday Evenings): We open the doors of our facility, (provided by First Baptist Church Kingston), to anyone who would like to drop-in for coffee, to chat, or play some cards. The Drop-In Program is a community building time and is crucial to our ability to connect with those in the community who might otherwise "slip through the cracks."
On any given drop-in afternoon, we will have anywhere from 18-25 people stop by. On average, 38%-40% will be ex-offenders, 12%-15% will be family of inmates, and 40%-45% will be "at risk" youth (generally ages 18-22 and living in the streets).
Monday Evening: From 7-9pm a seekers bible study is held in which volunteers from both "the Project" and First Baptist, Kingston attend. It is a small group, usually (4-6) people, but generally includes at least 1 or 2 ex-offenders.
Tuesday: Afternoon (noon-2pm): Men's Spiritual Support Group: This is usually attended by 5-8 individuals (most are ex-offenders or "at risk" youth). This is an open time of spiritually guided discussion designed to help men journey deeper into their own lives.
Evening (7-9pm): Narcotics Anonymous - One of Kingston's largest weekly N.A. meetings
Wednesday: Portsmouth House Breakfast (6am-8am): Project Staff provide a breakfast for the residents of this federal halfway house. This is intended to be a relationship building activity that helps residents recognize our Program and our willingness to provide a ministry of accompaniment as they re-integrate into the community.
Drop-In (noon -3pm) (as outlined above)
Evening: (5-7pm) Pittsburgh Bible Study. The director and volunteers travel to Pittsburgh Institution to participate with the chaplain in a mid-week bible study/fellowship time. Activities have included leading in the ALPHA Program
Thursday: Afternoon: (noon-2pm) Women's Support group (presently on hiatus)
Thursday-Sunday: Networking: Generally towards the end of the week the regularly scheduled activities of the project are fewer, and this becomes a time in which the director attempts to network in the community among faith community leaders, other corrections based programs, and with institutional chaplains. This also coincides with many 1-to-1 ministry encounters including prison visitation, and providing assistance to families of inmates.
Volunteers: Along with the weekly programs, and the work of its full time director, the ministry of Project Reconciliation is driven by two part time staff members and 14 volunteers who give a combined average of 30-35 hours per week
Upcoming
December 16: Project Reconciliation will be hosting it annual Community Christmas Dinner at First Baptist, Kingston (5-7pm)
If you would like more information about Project Reconciliation in terms of written materials, or how we can assist your congregation in ministry to in-mates, ex-offenders or Families of In-mates, please contact us at:
Project Reconciliation
100 Sydenham St.
Kingston, Ont K7L 3H5
(613) 549-8899
E-mail: reconcil@kingston.net
Posted by editor on December 29, 2003 10:22 AM