Living Stones Prison Congregation

07/26/2022

Read the new PCA quarterly newsletter

Click on the link to read the current Prison Congregations of America newsletter which tells what is happening in PCA congregations across the country. Stay up-to-date on the strides PCA is making toward bringing the Light of Christ to those impacted by incarceration.

Check out this document designed by Sarah Estes.

07/12/2022

Questions about the Living Stones prison ministry?

Check out our web site at livingstonespc.org or contact a synod Director for Evangelical Mission:

NWWA Synod: Dianne Johnson, [email protected], 206-783-9292
SWWA Synod: Joey Ager, [email protected], 253-535-8300

06/27/2022

No monthly check-in Zooms until fall

Due to scheduling issues, our monthly updates of the Living Stones ministry are on hold for a few months. Info about our next gathering will be announced on Facebook and our web site (livingstonespc.org) and sent out in a MailChimp announcement.

If you're not receiving our MailChimp announcements, you can sign up here: https://tinyurl.com/jxu892s.

06/24/2022

In response to today's SCOTUS ruling to overturn Roe v. Wade, we offer these messages from Rev. Elizabeth Eaton, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, and Faith Action Network of Washington State.

Bishop Eaton: https://www.elca.org/News-and-Events/8158

FAN: https://tinyurl.com/5n8p986w

06/24/2022

A way to see the Living Stones men NOW

Although our guests from outside congregations cannot yet come worship with our men, our Red Badge volunteers can! It has been a joy for both our RB volunteers and our men to once again be together in these past few weeks.

This is a prime time for new volunteers to sign up. Simply complete the volunteer application (five docs are listed under "How to Apply" at https://www.doc.wa.gov/corrections/programs/volunteer.htm) and email them to Parker, the Community Partnership Program Coordinator at WCC ([email protected]). He will contact you regarding doing the online training sessions. Then you will just need to attend an in-person orientation at WCC (usually a weekday or Saturday morning) and you will be good to go!

Questions? Contact Pr. Chris at [email protected].

The men are looking forward to seeing you!

06/23/2022

Welcoming the formerly incarcerated people as they transition back into the community.

Have you heard about One Parish, One Prisoner (OPOP), a reentry program sponsored by Underground Ministries. OPOP partners outside congregations with incarcerated individuals as they prepare for their release. Relationships are built to create welcoming communities for the returning citizens. Learn more at https://undergroundministries.org/opop.

Through an ELCA World Hunger Education & Networking Grant awarded to Stepping Stones to Re-Entry (the reentry piece of the our prison ministry) we have scholarships available for NWWA-ELCA and SWWA-ELCA synod congregations who wish to participate in the two-year OPOP training. Contact Lori ([email protected]) or Pr. Chris ([email protected]) for information.

06/13/2022

Living Stones Prison Congregation seeks board members - an invitation

Greetings from the Living Stones Prison Congregation! Your incarcerated brothers have kept you and your congregations in their prayers throughout these past years of pandemic, and it has been an honor to serve and worship with them during this time. As on the outside, life - and ministry - within our state’s prisons has been challenging, and I write this to invite you to consider joining us in meeting those challenges.

We seek individuals interested in serving on the Living Stones Board. In practical terms, it means committing to:
● Spreading the word about Living Stones within your own congregation and beyond.
● Lifting the ministry of Living Stones in prayer.
● Worshiping with the incarcerated community (in Shelton and/or Monroe) at least once a year.
● Attending Board meetings (currently monthly via Zoom, though pre-pandemic we met quarterly in person).
● Helping guide and grow this vital ministry of the ELCA here in Western Washington.

Living Stones exists because of the hard work and dedication of its leaders, volunteers, and supporters. Despite the hurdles of the pandemic, we:
● are fiscally stronger than ever
● have expanded our statewide presence (now involved both in Shelton and Monroe)
● have embarked on partnerships with groups like the PCUSA’s Underground Ministries, a
reentry-focused ministry that complements our focus on incarcerated individuals

It’s an exciting time for Living Stones with a bright future ahead - but we need additions to our Board to get us there! Learn more about our work at https://www.livingstonespc.org. Anyone interested in serving on the Board should reach out to me at [email protected].

Blessings,
Chris Ode, Living Stones Pastor

06/07/2022

TONIGHT AT 7 P.M.

God is good all the time - and all the time, God is good! Get the latest news about the Living Stones community!

Join us for our monthly Living Stones Zoom check-in tonight. Pastor Chris will share about the return of our Red Badge volunteers, how our men are doing at Washington Corrections Center (Shelton); and how his work is going at the Monroe Correctional Complex.

Join Zoom Meeting:https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83608890368?pwd=ckI4ME9SeE1WSEI2L05Jem5CMlBmZz09

See you at 7!

06/04/2022

Get the latest news about the Living Stones community!

Monthly Living Stones Zoom check-in
Tuesday, June 7 at 7 p.m.

God is good all the time - and all the time, God is good! Join Pastor Chris to hear about the return of our Red Badge volunteers, how our men are doing at Washington Corrections Center (Shelton); and how his work is going at the Monroe Correctional Complex.

Join Zoom Meeting:https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83608890368?pwd=ckI4ME9SeE1WSEI2L05Jem5CMlBmZz09

See you Tuesday at 7!

05/03/2022

Things are on the move!

Monthly Living Stones Zoom check-in
Tonight at 7 p.m.

God is good all the time - and all the time, God is good! Join Pastor Chris to hear about the return of our Red Badge volunteers, how our men are doing at Washington Corrections Center (Shelton); report about progress with bringing Living Stones to the Monroe Correctional Complex; and where to learn more about Living Stones this spring and summer.

Join Zoom Meeting:https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83608890368?pwd=ckI4ME9SeE1WSEI2L05Jem5CMlBmZz09

See you tonight at 7!

Zoom is the leader in modern enterprise video communications, with an easy, reliable cloud platform for video and audio conferencing, chat, and webinars across mobile, desktop, and room systems. Zoom Rooms is the original software-based conference room solution used around the world in board, confer...

04/28/2022

Monthly Living Stones Zoom check-in
Tuesday, May 3 at 7 p.m.

God is good all the time - and all the time, God is good! Join Pastor Chris to hear about the return of our Red Badge volunteers, how our men are doing at Washington Corrections Center (Shelton); report about progress with bringing Living Stones to the Monroe Correctional Complex; and where to learn more about Living Stones this spring and summer.

Join Zoom Meeting:https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83608890368?pwd=ckI4ME9SeE1WSEI2L05Jem5CMlBmZz09

See you Tuesday at 7!

Zoom is the leader in modern enterprise video communications, with an easy, reliable cloud platform for video and audio conferencing, chat, and webinars across mobile, desktop, and room systems. Zoom Rooms is the original software-based conference room solution used around the world in board, confer...

04/27/2022

On this Administrative Professional's Day we give thanks for the ministry and service of our own Sandi Nolte! As she enters into the final months before retirement, may God's blessings continue to be shown to and through her!