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Clown ministry comes from a traditional expression of the Christian faith, dating back to the first centuries of Christianity. Rediscovered in the 1950s, many churches of many denominations have small troupes that continue the tradition of conveying a light hearted message of Christ's caring and extravagant love. A serious message delivered in a silly way.
The Caritas Clowns were started in 1995 at the Church of the Good Shepherd. "Caritas" is the latin word for "caring". In the intervening years Caritas Clown have been led to a wide range of activities, including: leading a Christmas Eve Worship for children, performing bible skits for Sunday School, and visiting hospitals and nursing homes. In all cases the theme is one of extending God's love, expressed lightly, to everyone the clowns encounter - patients, students, family members, medical staff, congregations -- all.
Our troupe is flexible, with all members invited to take part in seeking new members, training, creating skits, determining the events to participate, assisting with makeup, costumes, etc. Christian adults of all ages are invited to be part of Caritas Clowns - Good Shepherd membership is not a requirement.
If you are curious about how you might fit in the Caritas Clowns, please contact the church office 703-281-3987.
 
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WHAT IS KAIROS?
Christianity" derived from the Cursillo/Emmaus movements. The course is attended by thirty new, chaplain-chosen residents every six months. In Virginia alone, Kairos is offered in three mens' and three womens' correctional institutions and in a youth detention center. The primary continuing ministry of Kairos is from resident to resident within small share-and-prayer groups. Residents are encouraged to form and maintain these groups during the initial Kairos weekend and at follow-up retreats and monthly reunions.
HOW CAN I HELP?
- Prayer
Ongoing prayer is vital as the outside team and Kairos residents spread the Good News within what has been a stronghold for the Enemy.
- Expressions of unconditional love
Prayers, cookies, posters and banners are powerful influences upon the lives of those residents attending a Kairos weekend. The impact of a simple poster expressing Christian love and concern from a "street" group such as a Sunday School class, youth group, or prayer group can be significant. One recent example was a simple message of caring from a pre-school class and their teacher. The little children had placed their hand imprints alongside the greeting of love in Christ. Residents, some of whom always had been "hard rocks" and had never displayed any emotion or vulnerability, were deeply moved–some to tears. Many residents return over and over to gaze in wonder at the glory of God's love reflected from such gifts of love.
The power of the "unlimited" supply of cookies, a metaphor for God's infinite grace and love, is great. For example, one resident said she has a new way of looking at cookies forever. She said those cookies were given so that she could receive. "Everyone had to pull together with love and patience to bake all those cookies and get them here and I learned that I am not a cookie by myself anymore!" she said. "Cookie stories" again and again tell of reconciliation, forgiveness and discovery of the joy of sharing.
- Service on a Kairos Team
Kairos Short Courses are offered by interdenominational teams of clergy and lay persons. Your service is needed and welcomed! Team members will have attended a three-day "Short Course in Christianity" such as Emmaus, should worship regularly, and should be part of a small share-and-prayer group. For a Kairos weekend, the teaming commitment includes 5 to 8 team formation meetings, an overnight retreat the evening before the course, the Short Course itself and the next 12 monthly reunions.
HOW CAN I HELP RIGHT NOW?
Pray particularly for teams meeting to enter Fluvanna Correctional Center for Women and to enter Goochland Correctional Center for Women. Bake cookies for team members to take into those Kairos weekends. See Cookie Ministry for baking hints and recipes. Each team takes THOUSANDS OF DOZENS OF HOME-BAKED COOKIES!
For more information on Kairos visit the National Kairos website at www.kairosprisonministry.org.
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COOKIE MINISTRY - Why a cookie ministry?
Each Kairos prison ministry team takes thousands of dozens of home-baked cookies into the institution to give to the residents. Over the course of a three-day short course in Christianity, the residents receive bags of cookies as just one tangible demonstration of Christ's love for each of us. On a typical Kairos weekend, each resident receives so much of this outpouring of Christ's love that it becomes natural to share it with other residents. And thereby begins part of the portrayal of the miracle of Christ's presence.
How can I help?
Bake cookies, lots of cookies. Have them ready for a Kairos volunteer to take to the prison for the team to give away. Cookies made in advance freeze well.
What kind should I bake?
Chocolate chip and peanut butter are the two most popular; other cookies that "travel" well include oatmeal, molasses and ginger. (Sugar cookies are usually too breakable to survive the trip into the institution.)
Make-Ahead Cookie Mix - Can Be Stored Up to 4 weeks!
Basic Cookie Mix:
l ˝ c butter or margarine
1 t salt
2 t baking powder
6 c unbleached or all-purpose flour
Combine butter, salt, baking powder in large bowl; blend well with electric mixer.
Add flour. Tightly cover and store in refrigerator up to 4 weeks.
Chocolate Chip Cookies: (+/- 3 doz)
2 c Basic Cookie Mix (see above)
2 eggs
6 oz semi-sweet chocolate bits
˝ c chopped nuts (optional)
˝ t vanilla
˝ c sugar
˝ c brown sugar (packed firm)
Preheat oven to 350. Combine everything except chocolate (and nuts), blend until smooth.
Stir in chocolate. Drop by teaspoonfuls 2" apart on lightly greased cookie sheets.
Bake 7-14 minutes until light golden brown.
Peanut Butter Cookies: (+/- 4 doz)
2 c Basic Cookie Mix (See above)
1/3 c shortening
1 c brown sugar (packed firm)
˝ c peanut butter
1 egg
˝ t vanilla
Preheat oven to 375. Combine all ingredients in a large bowl, blend until smooth.
Shape dough into 1" balls, put on ungreased cookie sheet and flatten with fork, criss-cross fashion.
Bake 7-11 minutes until edges are golden brown.
Are there rules?
Prisons are very structured environments; there are lots of rules and they must all be obeyed to the last detail. With cookies, the rules are fairly simple, but each one is important.
Kairos Cookie Rules:
- Each variety of cookie must be packed in quart-size zippered plastic bags, one dozen (1 dozen only) to a bag.
- Label each bag with the type of cookie it contains: 1 dozen (kind of cookie)
- All cookies must be 2-2 1/2" thick: plain cookies only.
- Absolutely no frosted cookies, cookies with sugar topping or cookies with raisins or M&Ms are permitted inside the institution.
Your treasured family recipes, within these rules, are heartily welcomed.
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