When we did the Word I Heard activity for last week’s story about Jesus and the man with the unclean spirit several of us especially noticed how the spirit called him “the Holy One of God.” Strange how such a strikingly beautiful title should come from an negative source

These were responses to “Something I find meaningful about today’s story” from the participants:

• It made me think about things I need to work on
• How I can relate in my life
• That Jesus has the power to case out any bad spirit
• Today’s story was meaningful to me that God can command all things evil to come from you.

One woman offered comments on some of the activities we did:

• Create a storyboard—This is my favorite activity and I tend to learn form this the most
• Tell to small group—Repeating the story to peers helps greatly
• Drama bags—Drama bags was awesome and a great laugh!
• Connections—Connections is a very emotional part for the whole class

Below are two storyboards created to help learn and tell the story.

Our story in Sacred Stories (the jail Circle of the Word program) last Wednesday was about Jesus teaching in the synagogue of Capernaum, being confronted by a man with an unclean spirit, and freeing the man from it (Mark 1:21-28). It was hard learning the name “Capernaum.” Next time I will try some mnemonic tactics for remembering it, and also describe something about the city.

We had a smaller group than usual, but it was an excellent group with thoughtful, sincere participation. Being smaller made it more relaxed and intimate.

I used a drama bag for the first time. The woman who tried it out did an excellent job. Another woman narrated the story and she also did a very good job. This story was great for telling with a drama bag. The second time my fellow Circlekeeper took a turn inside it, and another woman narrated. They made a great pair, too, for presenting the story.

I surveyed the activities and all gave high marks. One general comment about the class was, “I feel this class is fun and memorable while touching on our personal issues so we can heal.”

Storyboard for the story of Jesus rebuking an unclean spirit in the synagogue of Capernaum

On Tuesday our church, Grace UMC, provided lunch and gift bags of donated toiletries to 35 women of the Women’s Therapeutic Court of Montgomery County (Ohio). They loved the lunch and the gifts and expressed their appreciation to us all.

Cassandra Rice, the staff attorney for Judge Singer who presides over the court (pictured below with the group of us who brought lunch—she’s the young one) had made a presentation at Grace on October 11 about Human Trafficking and the WTC, which are closely related. It was a powerful and passionate presentation, so when she asked for help with the luncheon we readily agreed.

After the luncheon we rode up the elevator with a group of women from the luncheon. We were on our way home. They were on their way to court. One of the women recognized one of us as her high school counselor. Another said of me, “I was in your Sacred Stories class!” They seemed very pleased to connect with us in these ways. We were pleased with the connections, too.

The luncheon crew, plus Cassandra Rice, director of the WTC Tuesday Luncheon/Program

Gift bagging the lotions and soaps in the Courthouse break room

Saturday I attended the annual Restoration, Recovery, Reentry Conference hosted by the Montgomery County Volunteer Jail Chaplaincy Ministry. I had a table display for Seeds of Grace with a focus on the Sacred Stories Circle at the jail. I also brought some Network of Biblical Storytellers info and Story Journey. Had good networking and discussions with a variety of people.

The candy coated sunflower seeds always attract attention. People don’t know what they are so that starts a conversation. They are popular and always get taken. Most of my Seeds of Grace brochures also were distributed so I felt like it was a successful display. I had a great location, the first table in the hallway and the only one with decent lighting.

At the close of each Circle of the Word at the jail, the women are invited to write prayer requests on an index card, if they would like the Monday morning prayer group at Grace Church to pray for them. They can also just write their names. Most everyone accepts the invitation; occasionally someone needs to dictate if writing is too much of a challenge. They write with sincerity and focused concentration. Sometimes they write their own prayers or express gratitude for the prayer group.

After reading and praying with the cards myself, I pass them on to the prayer group. The above photo was taken this morning when I brought the prayer cards from last Wednesday’s circle to the Monday morning prayer group (which today met at a home for seniors). Grace’s “prayer warriors” are silently reading the cards.

They then began the hour of prayer, as they do every Monday at 10:00 a.m., by reading aloud each prayer card. Following the reading of each card they pray, “Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer.” The person who reads the card will take it home and pray over it daily during the week.

The Grace prayer group has been doing this ministry for over a year, every week Sacred Stories class is held. It is a boundary-crossing spiritual experience for members of the prayer group, as well as for those of us physically going into the jail. Several Circlekeepers are also in the prayer group.

Grace’s senior pastor is a member of the prayer group and has observed how the cards have impacted it: “Through the prayer ministry for the women our Grace prayer group has connected with a world outside themselves. This connection has brought a growth in the prayer group participants’ understanding and experience of God’s love and God’s people.” For myself, I have learned as never before the importance of local church spiritual practice. I am grateful to have been shown a way to mobilize that practice in response to the needs of the women in the jail.