SOCPM Newsletter | November 2023

Sheridan: Okay, Dixon, Not So Good


Since the October Newsletter, there has been one planned and one unplanned cancellation. The planned cancellation was the last week of vacation with family and friends. The unplanned was a conflict with the scheduling of events at Sheridan, and the best resolution was to cancel SOCPM classes. However, as things turned out, I would have had to cancel because of my having a medical issue.

The classes that weren't canceled had lower-than-expected attendance because individual buildings were on lockdown. On Friday, November 3rd, 38 passes were issued for the first Malachi Dads class, but because of building lockdowns, only 11 students were allowed to attend.

Class cancelations at Dixon have frustratingly become the norm. There have been no Malachi Dad classes since the welcome orientation class on August 30th. There have been only two Discipleship classes, but in looking for a positive, they both were curriculum classes. I skipped the custom welcome and orientation class since the first three weeks were canceled.

Most of the Dixon cancelations have been 118 building lockdowns; the building classes are held due to staff shortages. A couple of the lockdowns were level-one lockdowns. A level-one lockdown is when the whole facility goes on lockdown because of a physical assault on a staff member.

With all the cancellations, Dixon is behind Sheridan in the planned weekly curriculum in Malachi Dads and Discipleship. Until Dixon begins regular weekly classes, and I don't see that happening anytime in the foreseeable future, the Sheridan students have agreed to take occasional breaks from the planned week's curriculum for an open discussion on a specific topic or teaching outside the typical curriculum.

Another Ugh as a result of the Dixon cancelations is it is the time of year when Chaplain Thomas begins to receive requests from inmates for Christmas cards they can send to family, friends, etc. I have helped him with this enormous workload for the past few years, and he could use my help this year.

Please pray for Dixon to almost miraculously begin weekly Malachi Dads and Discipleship classes. I can help Chaplain Thomas with Christmas cards. There would be no building lockdowns at Sheridan.

New Life Correction Banquet - Supporting A Ministry Partner

It was a special night this past Thursday when I attended New Life Connection's Annual banquet. New Life is a ministry of Wayside Cross. I've lost count of how many years I've been attending. Director Steve Madawick and I have a relationship as friends and supportive colleagues in bringing the Gospel of Jesus Christ to Illinois Prison. NLC's reach is much more extensive than SOCPM's.

After having to put a hold on the seminars because Steve had to undertake another role at Wayside, They are planning the resumption of their two-day seminars, Transforming Incarcerate Dads and Freedom From Fear across Illinois. I served several years back and enjoyed the trips of teaching in different facilities and fellowship with the volunteer team. However, I had to drop out of volunteering because of scheduling conflicts.

SOCPM sponsored a table with Mark, a SOCPM and NLC supporter who led several two-day seminar teams. Sadly, Mark couldn't make it to this year's banquet. It was a pleasure to have Al Tierney. I'm not sure of his exact title, but he assists Steve in arranging the two-day seminars to sit at my table and informed me they will have some two-day seminars on Monday and Tuesday. Those are days I would volunteer on long ago without conflicts to schedule. So, I'm hopeful I can make a few trips this year, ideally to East Moline and Taylorville, where several formal Dixon students now call home.   

The biggest highlight, however, was two former SOCPM students involved in Wayside's Mater's Touch program, TJ from Dixon and Herbito from Sheridan.

Tj, Me, Heriberto

TJ was a student for close to five years. He completed the Malachi Dads program and was in Discipleship all his time as a student. He was dedicated to reading and studying the Bible and bringing new students to SOCPM classes. In his time as a student, he took on the role of encourager in my exercising. Heriberto was a student for only a few months, and though his time was short, I saw a passion for the Lord. He, too, was enrolled in both Malachi Dads and Discipleship.

A Most Favored Planned Getaway

With all the class cancelations, the term was initially planned to end the week before Christmas. Still, even if it doesn't, I will take a short getaway unless it isn't God's will. On January 3rd - 5th, I will visit my son Cameron, whom I've not seen since May 2015. By God's grace, he's been sober for 98 days as of this writing Wednesday, November 8th. I told him if he maintains his sobriety, I will come to visit him for his 34th birthday on January 4th. Praise God! His mother will join us, with both of us there; this is a birthday Cameron is looking forward to.

God has been so gracious and merciful these past three months in Cameron's life that it brings me to tears. He's reached this milestone of 90 days sober before three or four times, but talking with him, he has a much more positive attitude; he's got his driver's license, something he's not had for eleven years, bought a car, trying to save for future needs, etc. Praise God!

We've talked several times weekly, and they're positive father-son conversations. I've been sharing with others; I haven't spoken this regularly with Cameron since he lived at home in his junior high school days. Praise God!

Attending church is a challenge; his work schedule conflicts with the hours the church he attended a few weeks back, but I hope to find another sound Bible-teaching church. Now that he has a car, the search area is not limited to an area with a bus ride so long it would discourage him not to go.

Please lift praises to God for all His blessings. Please pray for salvation, continued sobriety, wise choices, continued positive thinking, and joy. Pray his birthday is one he remembers for a lifetime and that all of this glorifies God.

As always, prayers for Cameron's salvation, prayers of praise for his sobriety, and continued sobriety. My health, I'm struggling with my diet.

I also request prayer for two dear friends, Deb and Harry. Deb has been diagnosed with cancer for the third time. As you can imagine, this has been very upsetting, and she is struggling with many emotions. Please, Deb and Harry relocated to the Atlanta, Georgia area, so they need to find a good oenologist. Please pray God brings the right one to them. Pray for Deb and Harry to remain strong and find comfort and refuge in the Lord.

To Him be the glory in ALL things and Him alone,

Scott Kalas
Soldiers of Christ Prison Ministries

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