VOLUNTEERING MATTERS!
When I pastored in my last church the first part of the mission statement was “A people with Passion for the Lord Jesus Christ” You can add your own passion, whether that be a Sport, Reading, Films, Walking, God, Prisoners, Food, Swimming, Climbing ........
I love people with passion, it makes such a difference when you ask someone to do something because for them it is not a chore, but a delight and it often creates instant action because Passionate Volunteering Matters.
As a Prison Chaplain I could not do what I do without volunteers who are passionate about the work that they do, the prisoners they speak to and the staff that support us.
In my role, I am privileged to have a variety of passionate volunteers who are committed to their volunteering role on a regular basis. Volunteering matters as it supports the chaplaincy team and brings a different dynamic to those in our care, with differing life skills, observations and illustrations. Those within a prison setting value the time that is given by volunteers to spend time teaching, chatting, inputting into their lives – it creates an aspect of normality in an abnormal setting!
They see the volunteer as a person who is committed to them and prepared to give of themselves to encourage and support. The person who has lost their freedom has become valued and appreciates that someone out with the walls of a prison is prepared to invest in their lives despite their history, crime or sometimes attitude. Volunteering matters because an understanding is developed and a safe relationship built.
The bottom line is “Someone cares, who is prepared to spend time with me and is volunteering to come and teach me – they are interested in me for who I am, not for what I have done”
Volunteering Matters because you want to make a difference to someone else. Over the years a passionate volunteering group sees results. Local church volunteers come and share faith and create opportunities to engage in a church or community setting once a prisoner is released. That takes time and commitment and shows a willingness to invest in lives when others have perhaps turned their back and walked away.
Regular groups run by volunteers invest in lives and make them think about the effects of crime on families, victims and others. Faith courses allow conversations to take place which are privileged and perhaps would never normally occur except for a passionate volunteer who sees what they do as having an impact and not just filling time but making a difference because Volunteering Matters!
Are you passionate about others! Are you ready to make a difference and commit to volunteer and realise how much your dedication impacts others and how much it matters!
Our society depends upon volunteers and perhaps it should be said more, but we are grateful for the commitment, dedication and time that is given to make someone else feel better about themselves when a volunteer gives of themselves to another.
We will never know the impact that we will make but every little seed that is sown will produce fruit in time to come and you will have had an important part to play because Volunteering Matters
Rev John Murfin – Chaplain, HMP Kilmarnock