Kairos Monthly Reunions inside Connally

We have a reunion with the brothers in white on each third Saturday unless there is a problem with the schedule at Connally, for example, a lockdown.  We usually take in coffee, punch, and cookies (store-bought) and go from 10-2.  Volunteers have the opportunity to eat lunch in the Officers Dining Hall.  The program, including music, is provided by inmates.  There is usually an opportunity for a free world team member to present a talk.  These events are not scripted and are run by the brothers in their entirety.  They are very excited to be able to have reunions.  We will soon start back up with Retreats, as outlined in the Red Manual.  Retreats are put on by the free world team members, and are done quarterly.  We have only been doing reunions for a year, after many years of not holding them because of staffing problems with the prison.  The only requirement for inmates to attend is prior participation in a Kairos weekend, so we have men from other faiths in reunions. Kairos weekends bring new people into the community; weekly prayer and share and reunions/retreats nurture that community.

If you have a  friend who is interested in coming to the Reunion to see what Kairos is about in real time, let me know.  They must be TDCJ Volunteer approved and trained and added to our team list, and I expect the team member who takes the new person inside will stay by his side in case he freaks out.

Here is what Danny wrote about last Saturday's reunion.

While conducting the first team meeting for #26, two other volunteers, Jack & Danny joined 55 men at the prison for their monthly reunion.  As usual, it was very well organized and lead by Kairos graduate Mr. Matthew.  Theme of the reunion was discipline and Jack, gave a rousing talk on this subject which was very well received by the attendees.  Eight or ten of the men were called upon for testimonials as to what they got out of the Kairos program.  These are always amazing as more than one of the presenters talked about how they have taken the learning to their families during visitations and writing correspondence and they can see how it is helping their families, too.  I shared with one of the big burly fellows who gave one of these talks about recognizing what he is doing.  I let him know that was discipleship at it best, as he learned, practiced and taught others and this is the way the wave goes.  As always, the inside music team did a magnificent job with setting the pace and atmosphere.  They had me wishing I could get them up to one of our contemporary services at church.

 

All in all, Saturday was a great day for Connally Kairos.