by Joanne Hachtel

Who could imagine that 10,000 dozen home-baked cookies would help spread God’s word?

That’s how many cookies are needed for a Kairos weekend. Kairos is a Greek word, meaning time. For three members of Dublin Community UCC, however, Kairos has a slightly different meaning. "Kairos means God’s special time," says Joe Neidhardt.

Jim Steckel and Donna and Joe Neidhardt are longtime participants in Kairos, a program that builds spiritually-based communities in correctional institutions. Kairos is a spin-off of ministries such as Emmaus Walk.

Every six months, Jim, Donna and Joe join at least 50 other volunteers from other faiths in sponsoring a Kairos weekend. Donna goes to the Ohio Reformatory for Women in Marysville; Joe, the Marion Correctional Institution. Jim serves at both the Marion site and at the Lebanon Correctional Institution.

The chaplains in these institutions take part in the Kairos ministry and help choose the 42 residents who will participate.

Christine Money, warden of the Marion facility, said studies show that inmates who take part in a spiritually based program have a lower rate of recidivism. She says, "Volunteers bring Christ’s unconditional love to inmates who may not have experienced that love. A ministry such as Kairos changes the culture of the institution—our residents are able to live more peacefully. They build other disciples within the prison."

Prior to a Kairos weekend, the volunteers meet once a week for eight weeks to form their own Christian community. "We get acquainted and talk about what God has meant in our lives," says Jim. "We also learn about the policies of the correctional institution."

The Kairos weekend begins on a Thursday evening. It’s a time when volunteers and residents get to know each other. The weekend includes an introduction to Christianity. Throughout the weekend, residents are encouraged to form prayer and share groups.

During the Kairos weekend, volunteers show God’s love by bringing plenty of cookies—about 10,000 dozen! "Each volunteer is asked to supply 200 dozen cookies," says Michelle Lawlor, a member of the Church of the Resurrection in New Albany. Michelle, who secures cookies from her church, other churches, and co-workers, says that "cookies are given to everyone, including staff and all inmates." Dublin Community Church members bake many dozens of cookies for the volunteers from their congregation.

Donna, Joe and Jim, as do other volunteers, return to the individual facilities at least once a month for a Kairos reunion to share spiritually with residents.

"The Kairos ministry has brought another vision to my life," reflects Jim. "I try to be a good listener. Sometimes I’ll ask" ‘How has the Spirit been a part of your life this week?’ We try to help persons understand how important it is to live a Christian life both in and out of prison."

Last Spring, West Virginia experienced another devastating flood. In some counties it was considered worse than 2001. The Ohio Conference Disaster Response Team responded by delivering just over 1,000 cleaning and personal care kits to Pineville, WV. This delivery totally eliminated the entire inventory of disaster CLEANING KITS.

Floods in Ohio and nearby areas are not a matter of "if" but "when." Following the recipe below, please help restock our supply so we are ready. We have no need for personal care kits at this time.

The Ohio Conference Spiritual Renewal Committee announces its Opening Doors event for 2002: Opening Doors to Spiritual Friendship--On Being a Spiritual Friend to an Individual, Group or Congregation. The retreat will be held October 25-27 at Templed Hills Camp and Conference Center. Retreat leader will be Dr. Tilden Edwards.

Dr. Edwards, an Episcopal priest, founded the Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation in Bethesda, Maryland. A widely known and well-respected author, he has written many books on spirituality, including Sabbath Time, Living in the Presence, Spiritual Friend, and Living Simply Through the Day.