Fourteen prisoners confirmed in the St. Dismas community
By The Rev. Sandra Mayer
Special to The Coastline
Surely the presence of the Lord is in this place.
The Coastline July/August 2007
Atmore,AL I was sweating bullets. My hands were shaking. My stomach turned over and over. As the huge metal gate slid open and I stepped inside, the feelings became more intense. When the second gate opened, my knees were shaking so I thought I would fall down. I kept thinking, "What if they don’t like me. What if something happens to me? Maybe coming here was a mistake." I took a deep breath, made the sign of the cross, and signed in. It was my first visit to Fountain Correctional Center.
For three and a half years, along with Jim Sanborn, a parishioner of Trinity Church, a retired correctional officer and self-appointment guardian, I have been going to Fountain Correctional Center to conduct services for the St. Dismas Community, an organized Episcopal community of inmates who have been confirmed in the Episcopal Church. During this time I have baptized and buried members of this community. Both Bp Duvall and Bp Duncan have conducted confirmation services here. Those who are baptized or confirmed are recorded in the register of Trinity Episcopal Church, Atmore.
On July 2, 2007, a confirmation service was held at the prison chapel. What made this service different from the others was the number of confirmands – there were fourteen. The service itself was remarkable, but the events leading up to this day are worthy of note as well. The Episcopal service time is 11 a.m on Thursdays. I conduct services on the first and third Thursdays. These services have been fairly consistent, barring lockdowns, illnesses and other interruptions. The format for our time together is very informal. Holy Communion is offered during one of the two services. The other times are spent in Bible study, dialogues, Popcorn Theology, and sometimes it’s just a great fellowship time. The service is attended by other inmates, not just St. Dismas members. Most mainline traditions are represented – Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian, Pentecostal and non-denominational. And because each inmate is required to attend two religious services a week – their choice – many of the men join us because of the availability of the service.
During the past three years, many of the same men returned to our service time and time again. They were not members of St. Dismas, yet they showed a great deal of interest in learning about the Episcopal tradition. They were also intrigued with having a woman clergy person conduct the service, as most of them came from traditions that didn’t allow this. Beyond that, they sincerely wanted to know who, what and why we were Episcopalians. They were especially enthusiastic about church history and how the Episcopal Church came to be. They wanted to know more about the sacraments, the church year, why different colors were used during different periods in the year. These questions led to deeper study of the teachings of the church, especially regarding baptism. It came as a surprise when they learned that baptism in the Episcopal Church meant you were a Christian. And that you only became an Episcopalian through confirmation. We spent many hours studying the baptismal covenant: what it means and how you lived into that covenant in your daily walk with Christ. It was through these times of prayer, study, fellowship and celebration of the Eucharist that the men grew in their love for Christ and ultimately, in their decision to be confirmed and be a part of St. Dismas.
In between the scheduled visits, Stan*, a 52 year old inmate who has been involved with St. Dismas from its inception, keeps the men focused on their spiritual journey. He is intelligent, sensitive, caring, compassionate and loyal: he is also serving a life sentence for murder. Without Stan's continued loyalty, St. Dismas wouldn’t exist. He also taught the catechism classes using The Primer, written by The Rev. Albert Kennington. Thanks to Albert's generosity, each of the inmates had his own copy of the primer – and it is treated as a prized possession.
This confirmation service was like none other – there was no music, no processional. The altar was makeshift. What linens there were had been borrowed or were discards. But what was lacking in pomp and circumstance was made up in spirit. The confirmands were seated in the front four rows. They were neat, clean and in the best white uniforms they could muster. Their names were pinned to shirt pockets. There was an air of expectancy – it was almost electric. Everyone was anxious to get the service started. We took our places and began the service. One of the brothers served as lay reader. His voice, strong and clear, carried throughout the chapel. When the time came for confirmation, the men sat straight up in their chairs, ready. One by one they presented themselves to the bishop. You knew the Holy Spirit was there –you could feel it and you could see it in the aura that surrounded each of the men as the bishop gently placed his hands on each of them as they kneeled in front of him. There weren't too many dry eyes in that place. Following the service, each man was presented a Book of Common Prayer inscribed with his name and signed by Bp. Duncan. These BCPs were purchased with funds given by The Church of the Advent, Lillian to be used for prison ministry.
These men will go back to their daily routine – struggling to live each day in a world that tries their very souls. It won’t be easy for them – they will be teased, taunted and harassed. But they now belong to a faith community which will be their strength and encouragement during these trying times.
While these 14 bodies remain incarcerated in a stark concrete correctional facility in a corner of south west Alabama, the Episcopal confirmation service held on July 2 released fourteen souls to soar like an eagle taking flight from its nest, not bound by fence or fear, but secure in the knowledge that they are loved by a God whose love has no fences.
* Inmate’s name has been changed to protect his privacy.
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More about Fountain Correctional Center:
One of four prisons located north of Atmore, Alabama, G. K. Fountain Correctional Center
is located 11 miles north of Atmore on Hwy 21. Fountain is a medium security prison built
originally in 1928 as the Moffett Prison Farm. It burned in 1949, was rebuilt in 1955 and
named for a correctional officer killed in the line of duty.
Today it houses over 1000 men.
St. Dismas, the Good Thief
St. Dismas, known as the Good Thief, is the name given
to one of the thieves who was crucified alongside Christ
according to the Gospel of Luke 23:39-43:
39
One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him:
"Aren't you the Christ? Save yourself and us!"
40 But the other criminal rebuked him. "Don't you fear God," he said,
"since you are under the same sentence?
41 We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve.
But this man has done nothing wrong."
42 Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.[a]"
43 Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth,
today you will be with me in paradise." (NIV)
The Rev.Sandra Mayer, Rector
Trinity Episcopal Church
Atmore, AL
Email her: neweng@frontiernet.net.
