This afternoon I was able to attend the small prayer meeting that my chaplain holds each Tuesday from approximately one to three o'clock...
Most Tuesdays at this time I cannot make it because I have a work assignment. Only those who do not have work or a school program can go. So most of the time the group mainly consists of the chaplain and the four inmates who work in the chapel itself. Still, it was nice to be there among the brothers, and to have the opportunity to gather for prayer and to make our requests known unto the Lord.
But our biggest concern, as a body of believers, is, who will be replacing my current chaplain when he retires in late December? As of yet, we do not know. It's a decision the Department of Corrections has to make. And with big cuts coming in the state's upcoming budget, there's the chance we may not get a full-time replacement. At this stage, only the Lord knows.
Presently my facility has full-time Catholic and Muslim chaplains, and a part-time Jewish chaplain, as well. If need be, we can function without a "Protestant" chaplain. The other elders and I cover all the services, anyhow. And this is always the case whenever my chaplain takes a vacation. Overall, however, from a purely human viewpoint, it helps to have someone sitting in the seat of authority and representing our church. And we know that God is always in control. Therefore, Christ will represent us, and we believe everything will be fine.
D.B.
But our biggest concern, as a body of believers, is, who will be replacing my current chaplain when he retires in late December? As of yet, we do not know. It's a decision the Department of Corrections has to make. And with big cuts coming in the state's upcoming budget, there's the chance we may not get a full-time replacement. At this stage, only the Lord knows.
Presently my facility has full-time Catholic and Muslim chaplains, and a part-time Jewish chaplain, as well. If need be, we can function without a "Protestant" chaplain. The other elders and I cover all the services, anyhow. And this is always the case whenever my chaplain takes a vacation. Overall, however, from a purely human viewpoint, it helps to have someone sitting in the seat of authority and representing our church. And we know that God is always in control. Therefore, Christ will represent us, and we believe everything will be fine.
D.B.