Monthly Archives: July 2018

Wisdom from Willie

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Your presence is “an opportunity to let someone know someone cares, even more than they know.” Willie L. Templeton Jr., Program Coordinator/Chaplain

The Seeds of Grace team leads a weekly program at the Montgomery County Jail called “Sacred Stories.” Once again, our jail is in the news. On July 19 the Dayton Daily Newsran a front-page article with the headline, “County jail told to fix serious staffing, overcrowding issues.”

The article detailed how serious the overcrowding is: “Pods designed to house 48 inmates now house 104.” There is a serious staff shortage and, according to the newspaper, there is a 30 percent per year turnover rate. These factors result in stress for those who work in the jail, distress for those incarcerated there, inconvenience for those who volunteer there, and increased risk for everybody.

Volunteering in the jail is an exercise in patience. Sometimes we wait in the hallway 15 minutes to get into the classroom. Twice, after a long wait, we were finally told that no one had a list of participants, so we just went home. Sometimes we have had to wait for what seems like a very long time to leave the classroom when class is over because no officer has been available to come unlock the door, let us out, and take the inmates back to their pods or cells. Once they didn’t even answer the intercom for much too long when I buzzed to let them know we were done.

Enter Officer Willie L. Templeton Jr., or as he prefers to be called, Willie. He is the Program Coordinator and Chaplain for the jail. He takes our problems seriously and has addressed them successfully, often by taking on extra responsibility himself. At the monthly meetings he runs for jail volunteers, he keeps us informed about the staffing shortage, so at least we know the source of these problems, even before reading the newspaper.

Willie also counsels us at these meetings with wisdom garnered from years of experience, common sense, and a truly Christian approach to his work. He is the embodiment of a disciple who takes Jesus’ teaching to heart about being as wise as a serpent and as gentle as a dove. Willie teaches us: “Don’t let inmates behind you, or look down or around like you’re afraid. Don’t attack a certain group, or lifestyle, or way someone raises their children. Don’t be confrontational. Just preach the Gospel. There’s no need to offend anyone.”

In five years I have never had occasion to be afraid in the jail, but I listen when Willie says, “There is always the potential of something going wrong.” I consider what risk there might be part of the cost of discipleship.

I also take to heart Willie’s blessing: “Be encouraged to keep doing what you’re doing for the Kingdom,” and his promise, “Every now and then God will give us a little peek to see what a difference this work makes.”  I have found that promise to be true, despite whatever problems might make the news.

A good class that teaches a lot about God

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Before our summer break, I asked the women in Sacred Stories (what we call Circle of the Word in jail) to complete a survey form for feedback on the class. This was in mid-April, at the conclusion of our Lenten-Easter series, “Journey to Resurrection: Stories from Mark 14-16.” The following are anonymous responses by the 12 women in class that day…

Here is what I would tell others about this class:

  • A very beautiful class that helps teach us more about the Word of God.
  • We break down parts of stories of the Bible to understand them better.
  • The ladies are very serious and they know how to help you learn and remember the stories.
  • What I tell others is: “Nothing but good”
  • It’s very nice and easy-flowing. I like how it makes it simpler to understand.”
  • It’s a great class; others need to come.
  • Definitely would go. It’s a good class.
  • To really just participate and listen. There is many resources and things to learn Amelia is a wonderful Lady and I appreciate her and this class.
  • The story, the love and care Amelia has for us girls. The love she shows and how she reminds me, myself, to Keep moving, be positive, be positive, God is with us Always!
  • It’s a good class. It teaches a lot about God. You take it step-by-step and I like that you break it down to understand.”
  • It opens your mind and heart to Jesus.
  • I truly appreciate you coming and spending time with us today.

As you can tell from this feedback, Sacred Stories, and those of us who lead it, are very much appreciated. Not only do we receive heartfelt appreciation, but also the gift of their insights, perspectives, and faith.

The “Word” I Heard

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The words and phrases that especially caught our attention while listening to the story of Jesus’ baptism last fall.

The Circle of the Word approach to engagement with biblical stories creates a safe space where women have the opportunity to find their own voice about and through the stories. Covenant guidelines and a talking piece facilitate this process, giving each woman the opportunity to speak if they choose without worrying about being interrupted, questioned, or critiqued.

An activity I call “The Word I Heard” invites women to identify a word or phrase that caught their attention after hearing the story told with their eyes closed or focused on a candle. Each word or phrase is written on a card and placed by its “owner” into the circle. A second round invites women to share why they chose their particular word or phrase.

I am regularly amazed by the depth of spiritual insight, transparency, and variety of response that is expressed during these rounds. For example, at a Circle this Spring in a woman’s prison which focused on the story of Jesus’ arrest, one woman’s chosen word was “arrest” because, “We have all been arrested.” In a round on the resurrection story, a woman chose “stone” because “many of us carry heavy stones we can’t move, but God can roll them away.”