4th WSR Family Services
September 21, 2003
Volunteers: Central (7); His Harmony (4); Cascade (1); Sponsor (1)
Visitors: Inmates (1); Women - wives/mothers/sisters (2); Children (1)
[Total Families: One - it was their first time in our services. According to the paperwork shown to me by the inmate worker, Antonio, there were 9 inmates signed up.]
Authorities: Darin (opening of service only)
Email Distribution: Darin, GVT, Rich, John, Allen, Karon; Catherine Dube; Cathy Sorenson
His Harmony arrived at 1pm and were not allowed in until the balance of the team came. This was due to a new officer at the check-in station who was not aware of the "volunteer first" policy. She was pleasant, but clearly overworked (she was on her own whereas usually there are two officers present).
Central and Bob Jordan arrived at 1:30. The last of the ministry team got to the Family Services room at 2pm.
Pastor Burkholder had a church meeting commitment and came just after 2pm.
Service began at 2:15pm with one inmate family. Central conducted the entire service, with His Harmony overseeing and participating as needed/requested.
Order of the service was as follows.
2:15 - 2:30pm - Refreshments
2:30 - 3:15pm - Service with closing prayer
3:15 - 3:30pm - Social time, exit
Service Schedule:
Began with a sing-a-long.
Zacchaeus skit
"Heart" exercises using Play-Doe and red food coloring. (We were supposed to make a heart out of this, but Rich made an ashtray J)
Central prepared a very nice 8-page 5-1/2 by 7 inch booklet that included songs, Zacchaeus story, and scriptures.
The inmate and his family appeared to enjoy the service very much. Much laughter and clapping and smiling!
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Darin and I talked briefly at the beginning of the service. He had other duties and had to leave for the service. He said he'd talk with the sergeant about the check-in situation. Note: If Central can arrive at 1pm that may take off some of the pressure. Further, with a smaller team (Bob, John, and His Harmony will not be there in October) it may facilitate faster check in as well.
Central is ready to assume full responsibility for the service. Bob trained Allen Bass some more on what the group leader does and he understood and did what was required. This is well in hand. Karen is leading the service inside and she is comfortable with taking over on their own. Thus in October it will only be Central handling the entire service. Allen and Karon will discuss which of them will be submitting the equipment/food list to Cathy S. at the PFC office for distribution to WSR. Bob Jordan will NOT be sending to Cathy the equipment list for WSR anymore. Central will now take that responsibility.
Darin said that a chaplain search is underway. He showed to me the position description and requirements and, among other things, it requires a Master's level education with post-graduate ministry work as well as recognized ordination from a religious institution. Darin believes, and I agree, that an on-site chaplain could actively promote the Family Services on a regular basis. Darin also suggests that our team give a presentation in the chapel, even on a weeknight, to describe the Family Services. This should be discussed.
A "Lessons Learned and Observations" file will be prepared shortly now that we have conducted four Family Services. I will email this to the team shortly.
A meeting between Darin and the PFC leadership will be scheduled, preferably by the end of September.
An effort should be made to find out why the other eight inmates did not show up.
-Bob Jordan, September 22, 2003