Building a Circle of Prayer
Worshipers to gather around a jail to share the power of prayer
By Diocesan Staff
It began with an invitation. The Rev. Sara Palmer invited Rodney Stillwell, senior chaplain of the Forsyth Jail and Prison Ministries, to preach at St. Mary’s, High Point, on the third Sunday of Easter, also known as Prison Ministry Sunday. His sermon was enlightening and came with an invitation for congregants to visit the Forsyth County Jail and worship with the inmates.
On July 13, 2014, thirteen people accepted that invitation and set out from the St. Mary’s parking lot to visit the jail and spend time with some of its residents.
It was a wonderful day. It began with shared participation in a worship service led by Chaplain Robert Wolfe, also with the Forsyth Jail and Prison Ministry. Rev. Palmer read the Gospel, the Rev. David Umphlett, rector of St. Mary’s, prayed for the inmates’ concerns, and parishioners gave testimony, played music, shared readings and led prayers and song.
Following the service, inmates and visitors gathered to enjoy refreshments, games and conversation. By the end of the day, participants on both sides of the table realized the experience had been not just inspirational, but transformative.
Said Rev. Palmer, “We went in as ‘us’ and ‘them’ and came out as ‘we.’”
By coming together not as inmates, parishioners and clergy, but rather simply as people - disciples and worshipers - everyone saw first-hand that even in a place where walls rule all, the spirit is free.
“We went in there to minister to [the inmates],” said Palmer. “But we found ourselves worshiping God – together – as one. And that is the heart of the Christian message. We are all sinners together and yet God chooses to love each one of us as his beloved children.”
St. Mary’s plans to return to Forsyth County Jail again in May 2015, but there is an outstanding invitation to another event much sooner than that. On Friday, September 19, 2014 at 6:00 p.m., the Forsyth County Jail is inviting Christians of all denominations will join together in a prayer circle they hope will be large enough to surround the entire prison. They will pray for the inmates, their families as well as the prison staff.
“I'm disappointed I won't be able to attend this event myself," said Palmer. "Because a prayer circle like this makes a difference. It makes more of a difference to those inside than you can imagine. The people of St. Mary's had a truly spiritual experience the last time we accepted an invitation, and it's why we hope people will feel free to accept this one. You never know what transformation might take place when you accept an invitation to worship together.”
