^Josie^{'s Corner}

June 2011
Work of the Deacon

June 26, 2011
Saint Alban, Patron Saint of Converts & Refugees

July 2011
Vacation Bible School

The Reverend Deacon Josie Williams

October 2011

I will, with God�s help.

BCP p. 304

Tutoring at the Warren County Juvenile Detention Center is a part of my diaconal ministry. Recalling the words from Billie�s sermon on August 14, 2011, gives me a chance for reflection. If you are trying to recall the sermon, let me refresh your memory. Father Tim, a character in Jan Karon�s novel, In the Company of Others, is asking God not to change Dooley (another character in the novel), but to change him (Father Tim).
Just for the record, I take notes on sermons�a habit I acquired in my childhood. I pray that God will give me the tools I need to minister to the children at the Detention Center. I am challenged as I deal with children thirteen through seventeen who are rude and disrespectful; ninety percent of which are there because of disobedience to their mothers.

I am challenged to be positive and keep my thoughts �you wouldn�t be here if you had not cursed or hit your mama,� to myself.

I come back to my baptismal covenant, �Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself? Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being?� My reply is, �I will, with God�s help.� I know that all my help and hope is in God and I strive to proclaim by word and example in my actions as a tutor so that a seed may be planted in one child.

I ask your continued prayers for me as I minister to the incarcerated children of Warren County. I pray that with God�s help our village can save a child(ren) and put them on the path of the Prodigal Son, who once he came to himself returned home to his father. I pray that these children will come to themselves before it is too late.

I will continue to pray daily for these children, and each time I worship at St. Alban�s, I include them in my prayers. My mission is �I will, with God�s help.�