New York State Kairos Committee
http://www.nyskairos.com

Chairperson: Mark Duguay (e-mail: mgduguay@roadrunner.com)

Kairos Prison Ministry International, Inc. is the parent organization of a body of ministries addressing the spiritual needs of incarcerated men, women and children, their families and to those who work in the prison environment. Kairos sprang from the Cursillo movement and is supported by volunteers from Cursillo and those other movements that consider Cursillo as their root. Although a separate ministry, Kairos has received the blessing and encouragement of 4th Day movements such as Cursillo, National Episcopal Cursillo, Presbyterian Cursillo, Lutheran Via de Cristo, The Upper Room's Walk To Emmaus, and independently ecumenical Tres Dias. Kairos Prison Ministry is a ministry rather than a movement.

Kairos is a ministry of the church ... a ministry of the apostles whom Jesus, the Christ, has called into community and sent forth into the environment of the correctional institution. Kairos has been called the best example of the early church in existence today.

Kairos Prison Ministry International, Inc. is a not-for-profit corporation chartered in the State of Florida and has become known as Kairos Prison Ministry. The words, Kairos Prison Ministry, are repeated in the Kairos logo, a registered trademark. Kairos Prison Ministry authorizes chartered states to present Kairos ministries within their states, following directions contained in Kairos manuals, which are updated as specific needs arise. Kairos manuals are copyrighted. All rights are reserved.

The mission of the Kairos Prison Ministry is to bring Christ's love and forgiveness to all incarcerated individuals, their families and those who work with them, and to assist in the transition of becoming a productive citizen.

Kairos consists of two separate programs within New York State:

I. Kairos Inside: Kairos Programs for Incarcerated Men and Women

Well-organized and well-trained volunteer teams of men and women from the communities surrounding an institution present an introductory 3-1/2 day weekend, described as a short course in Christianity. This interdenominational team of volunteers — both clergy and laypersons — works in cooperation with the Chaplain who carefully selects up to 42 inmate leaders to attend. A well-organized follow up program is part of this ministry.

THE STRATEGY OF KAIROS INSIDE
The Inside Program strategy brings positive and negative leaders of the institution together for a 3-1/2 day weekend event of carefully coordinated talks, discussions, chapel meditations, and music led by the
loving servant spirit of the volunteers. It is useful to think of the Weekend as a series of carefully planned
events that flow one to another. For many Participants, this experience creates the desire to become a Christian and for others the desire to continue his/her personal Christian growth. After the Weekend, the Inside Program continues by helping the Participants establish small, 3 to 6 person Prayer and Share Groups within the institution. These small groups meet weekly to share their lives on a deep spiritual level and to pray for one another, other residents, their loved ones, and the staff of the institution.

THE PURPOSE OF KAIROS INSIDE
The Inside Program is repeated every six months. The Weekend event allows Participants to witness Christ’s love through the servitude of Christian volunteers. During this event, Participants are given the opportunity to experience a religious awakening or renewal, to accept God’s call to a life of Christian witness, and for service to one another during their stay in the institution and beyond. After the Weekend, the Participants are encouraged to establish strong Christian communities within their institution.

COMPONENTS OF THE MINISTRY
The Inside Program consists of five key components:
3-1/2-Day Weekend
The Weekend is conducted in an institution by a team of volunteers of the same gender as the institution.
The Team begins on Thursday evening and ends with a spirit-filled Closing on Sunday. It is only the
“starting point” as the Participants are guided through the steps of understanding the Christian life.
Each day of the 3-1/2 days of the Weekend has a guiding purpose or focus. The activities for each day are designed to support that day’s purpose. As the day’s activities unfold, a building process is occurring. The Participants are led, step by step, through a growing understanding of the focus for that day, which is why Kairos is such a structured program. Every activity has a purpose that supports a higher purpose for the day, and every activity builds on prior activities. Everything has a place and an order.
Instructional Reunion
The Team returns to the institution as soon as possible, but no later than 3 weeks following the Weekend to teach the newest members of the Inside Community how to form Prayer and Share Groups.
Weekly Prayer and Share Group Fellowship
This is the heart of Kairos! The ultimate goal of Weekends is to build a Christian community inside the Institution. Prayer and Share Groups of 3 to 6 individuals provide an opportunity for the Inside Community to pray and fellowship together on a weekly basis by nurturing each other in their faith walk and providing accountability.
Monthly Reunion
Participants provide leadership for monthly Reunions. Three or more Participants are selected to share how Jesus is working in their lives. This gathering creates an environment that fosters participation and an opportunity for spiritual growth in the lives of the Participants.
2-Day Retreat
A 2-Day Retreat is held approximately 3 months following each Weekend. The Retreat is conducted by a small team with a minimum of 10 Kairos volunteers and is open to all Participants who have experienced a Weekend.

The theme of each day of the Weekend and the focus for that day is:
Thursday = Encountering Kairos
This day is a time to reduce anxiety (for both the Participants and the Team) and to begin to build comfort levels.
Friday = Encountering Self
This day the Participants begin to understand themselves and their standing with God.
Saturday = Encountering Christ
This day the Participants examine their relationship with Christ and others and the role of forgiveness in those relationships.
Sunday = Encountering Others
This day the Participants begin the process of growing in faith and community with others.

Kairos Inside Albion: Kim Montero and Judy Mumau, Beacon: Eileen Carson, Clinton: Lee Ackley, Collins: Bob Mullins, Coxsackie: Mark Carson, Fishkill: Doug Archer, Gouverneur: Everett Hampton and Edwin Marsh, Gowanda: Gary Mrowka, Hudson: John Fritz, Otisville: Jerry Stabile, Shawangunk: Paul Pedersen, and Wende: Rick Gonzalez.
Kairos Outside Elmira - Sharlene Reidy and Midhudson - Barbara Pedersen.

II. Kairos Outside: A support weekend for women who have a relative or friend who is, or has been, incarcerated.

Kairos outside is designed to support the families of men and women who are, or have been incarcerated in the country’s state and federal correctional facilities, as well as county jails and our offender programs. The spouses, parents, other relatives and friends of the incarcerated often “do time” right along with their relatives or friends. It is important for them to know that they are not alone and that there is a Christian Community that cares about them. This support is provided in a safe environment with Christian people during a Kairos Outside Weekend. During this Weekend, the Guests will have a chance to interact with other women who are in similar situations and learn how to form small groups of support thereby giving them strength in their life journey. The Purpose of Kairos Outside is to demonstrate God’s grace and love through Christian support for women who have relatives or friends who are or who have been incarcerated.