We Smuggle Jesus in Through the Cookies

Our speaker for this past forum was Dr. Tom Osborne, Professor of History Emeritus and Deacon, Episcopal Church of America. He told us about all of the different organizations and groups  he's involved with in his community. One such group is a prison ministry group called Kairos. This group spans local, national, and international grounds. There is extensive training that goes along with this program, but according to Dr. Osborne, it is well worth it. The ministry focuses on pouring love into the prisoners according to Dr. Osborne as well. They go back for monthly visits and keep up with the prisoners to make sure they are continuing to grow and mature through the program. 

Dr. Osborne also explained to us that Kairos is an ancient Greek word meaning "special time" or "God's special time." This makes me think about how much time we have left during this semester. Time is winding down quickly, and I have no clue where it all went. It seems like not too long ago we were just moving in, and now bye-bye to Thanksgiving and hello finals, which are right around the corner...! Ahhhhhgggg!!!! (This is me screaming by the way!) Where has the chronus time gone?! But I digress...

Dr. Osborne also spoke to us about The Help Center, which is an interdenominational center that aids the Shoals. They provide direct assistance with food clothes, prescriptions, and sometimes heat/utilities. It is staffed entirely by volunteers, and they raise money from church members, and there is also an option on the bottom of people's utility bills, in the Florence Area, to pay more money on you utility bill that would go to the Help Center to aid others with their utility bill. Dr. Osborne is the coordinator of chaplains at the Help Center. The chaplains aid people spiritually when they visit. In his experience, about 80% of the people who go to the Help Center come because of the drug abuse and devastation. There is also a sister organization called the Colbert Caring Center. In the end, I would like to leave you with a few of Dr. Osborne's words... "There is a natural human reluctance to service. You won't lose the reluctance, but you will overcome it." We all know this one: "It is better to give than to receive."

Wishing everyone the best of luck this week!

<3 Lesley <3