Epiphany
Ministry, Inc. is an ecumenical Christian
Ministry for young men and women who are in the custody
of the Juvenile Justice Department. The weekend models on
which it is based are: Chrysalis, Cross, Cursillo, Happening,
Kairos Prison Ministry, Tres Dias, Vida Nueva, and Walk
to Emmaus. The purpose of Epiphany is to manifest God’s
Love to incarcerated youth, known as 
“STARS,”
through a three day short course in Christianity and an
on-going follow-up program. Each Epiphany weekend involves
a team of adults and youth from the Christian community
who work together to show the Love of God to those attending.
God’s Love has been revealed throughout
history, especially in the life and atoning sacrifice
of Jesus Christ. In church history, Epiphany is traditionally
celebrated on January 6th marking the arrival of the Magi
in search of the Christ child. “Epiphany”
is a Greek word meaning “appearance.” The
coming of the Magi marks the time when God is manifested
on Earth to the entire world through Jesus Christ.
As in the first Epiphany, we can know
the coming of God’s Love in our lives and introduce
His Love to others. Epiphany offers incarcerated youth
an opportunity to change their lives and value systems
by introducing them to Jesus Christ. Epiphany seeks to
meet the basic needs of these youth to feel that their
lives are worthwhile and to teach them of God’s
endless love for them. The three-day short course brings
to the incarcerated young people knowledge of God’s
love, grace, and forgiveness. It is an ecumenical Christian
ministry for young people in custody.
Epiphany weekends in the Dayspring area
are held in Augusta at Augusta YDC and in Swainsboro at
Emanuel YDC. The Epiphany in Augusta and Swainsboro are
for young men ages 14 – 18. Approximately 50 volunteers
are needed to successfully conduct a weekend. The volunteers
make up two teams: an “outside team” to cook
meals and an “inside team” that goes into
the facility eleven hours each day to minister to 25 youth.
The youth participating on the weekend are called “STARS.”
Family groups consisting of a spiritual director, two
table leaders, a table servant, and five STARS are placed
together for the duration of the weekend. The contribution
of prayer warriors that cover the weekend in prayer twenty-four
hours a day are visually presented to the STARS by way
of a construction paper prayer chain that is attached
to the walls of the meeting room, often encircling the
entire room. Team members also commit to follow up with
the STARS through correspondence and reunions. Reunion
meetings are held monthly for long-term STARS, and once
a month for 1-2 months following the Epiphany Weekend
for short-term STARS.
During the afternoon of the second day,
a surprise birthday party is given for all the STARS.
Each table of STARS is presented with a cake, an individual
birthday card signed by each team member, and an individual
gift bag of toiletries. Many times this is the first birthday
party that some of them have ever experienced. Another
powerful moment during the weekend comes when the STARS’
lists of people they wish to forgive are attached to a
wooden cross. It is not unusual to experience forgiveness
between rival gangs during this service.
On the third day, the STARS are given
a bag of hand-written letters, known as AGAPE. These are
letters written by each team member telling of Christ’s
love for them. These letters may be a duplicated and signed
sheet, or individual notes in or not in envelopes, with
only the STAR’S first name and last name initial
on it. In addition, the STARS are given the opportunity
to share what the weekend has meant to them.
The most rewarding part of Epiphany is
seeing how God has revealed himself to the STARS. There
have been instances of STARS scheduled to be released
during the weekend that cried to stay with the Epiphany
weekend until the Epiphany team left.
How
You Can Help
• Participate as a volunteer on
a weekend team (you must be at least 18 years of age and
have attended a 3-day weekend such as a Walk to Emmaus,
Cursillo, Tres Dias, Chrysalis, etc.).
• Commit to praying during the weekend for one or
more 30-minute segments. You may pray in the comfort of
your own home. Sign up for the prayer vigil so that your
name (first name and last name initial only) can be included
as a link on the prayer chain.
• Attend a closing service (must make arrangements
beforehand to be allowed into facility– get details
from someone that has been involved with Epiphany).
• Donate food or other necessary items.
• Make agape for the STARS. Check with the Dayspring
persons involved with Epiphany with regard to special
rules for agape as different facilities have rules as
to what can be brought into the facilities. Prepare 26
pieces of agape. Each piece of agape must be exactly the
same. Generally agape must be paper only – no metal,
no wood, etc. Sometimes an agape item with one piece of
candy attached is allowed; sometimes it is not.
• Provide socks to be given to the STARS.
• No one from outside is allowed to write the STARS,
except through the Epiphany Weekend.
