If God remembered and cared for Paul and Silas when they were imprisoned, how do we remember people who are imprisoned today?
“We’re trying a new idea this year at Living Hope [in Saukville] and Christ the King [in Port Washington] of having different monthly ministry focuses,” Pastor Daniel Flucke says. “When my wife, Christin, who was planning VBS, realized that we’d [be teaching] the story of Paul and Silas in the same month that Breaking the Chains was already planned to be our monthly ministry focus, it was a clear connection and a way to do a meaningful service project that our VBS kids and congregations could participate in.”
The two congregations collected supplies and donations to assemble 80 hygiene kits for people being released from incarceration, as a service project connected to the story of Paul and Silas in prison. Needed donations were printed on grey paper and hung as paper chains outside the sanctuaries, and congregation members were invited to break off part of the chain and purchase listed items such as shampoo, toothpaste, and deodorant sticks. A Thrivent Action Team grant provided funding for additional supplies.
On Thursday of VBS week, Pr. David Rebey from Breaking the Chains Church (a synod-authorized worshiping community at Felmers Chaney Correctional Center in Milwaukee) talked with preschool and elementary students in small groups about his ministry. He shared the story of Paul and Silas, and answered questions about what prison is and how people in jail can still be part of the church.
After hearing the Bible story, each VBS kid assembled a hygiene kit. At the end of the morning, the whole group blessed all 80 kits, and prayed for the people who will receive them as they’re distributed by Breaking the Chains and Project RETURN.
“Nate Shubat, the steering committee president for Breaking the Chains, will also be with us next Sunday to share in worship more about the ministry,” said Pr. Flucke. “Our congregations haven’t had any previous connection to any prison ministries, so this is a great way for us to expand our horizons.”
