Greetings everyone.
May has been a time of preparation both spiritually and physically for all of us as we prepared to celebrate the birth of the early Church on Pentecost Sunday. The outpouring of the Holy Spirit is as evident today as it was in the room the apostles met in over two thousand years ago as recorded in Acts Chapter 2 verses1 to 11. We are all privileged to be able to witness the Holy Spirit at work as we continue to be Jesus hands and feet sharing and witnessing to the inmates and their families as we deliver programs and meet regularly to minister to them in our journey and SWAP groups. We give thanks for the privilege we have been given and pray that we will continue to be focused on our Lord and Saviour and sharing the Good News of His love and forgiveness. We give thanks for the different gifts we have each been given to help build up the Body of Christ.
Praise Points This month we celebrate and give thanks for: - The successful guest weekend in Sydney where we welcomed eleven women into the Kairos family. The guests shared that they had been abundantly blessed.
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Being able to run two journey programs at the South Coast Correctional Centre where we recently ran the inaugural short course in that Facility. Attendance numbers have been high and support from the Governor, his staff and the Prison Chaplains has been amazing. One of the graduates who was recently released arranged for the Chaplain to present the Kairos volunteers with a beautiful poem. It is included in this newsletter.
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Being able to continue to run journey programs in Junee, Clarence and Parklea despite not being able to run short courses.
- The partial completion of the short course at Kempsey Correctional Centre. The course was disrupted due to industrial action by staff. God willing, we hope to resume and complete the short course on June 1 and 2.
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The smooth running of core team training and team formation for several teams who are preparing to deliver programs from June onwards. This year most of our programs are being run in the second half of the year.
- The ongoing collaboration with the three work placement students from Excelsia College University as they near the end of their placement and complete the work on content for online learning modules which we hope to make available to you all later this year.
Prayer Points Please join me in praying for the following: - Continued access to the correctional centres we are working in without disruptions.
- The recovery from illnesses and operations for several of our volunteers
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The health and wellbeing for all the prison chaplains and staff who continually go out of their way to provide support and encouragement to both our team members and the program participants.
- Safety and travel mercies for our many volunteers who drive long distances to participate in various Kairos activities.
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Leaders in the process of gathering their teams that they will be able to discern and select team members and that potential team members will accept the invitations to join the teams.
- Continued support from churches and the wider Christian community who provide financial support, prayer support, and volunteers.
- Successful Advanced Kairos Training programs and train the trainer sessions.
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That all those needing to attend Advanced Kairos Training will be able to attend and that they will find the training informative and useful.
- We pray for Kairos Outside Regions in Queensland as they work together to form a team and run a guest weekend in Tully in September. We pray that travel impediments for both guests and team can be overcome and that volunteers will accept the invitation to be on team.
Thank you for inviting me to continue to work and walk with you as we reach out and minister to both the incarcerated and those members of our community who have been impacted by incarceration. It is a privilege which I do not take for granted. Abundant blessings Deb |
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| Deb Poulton Chief Operating Officer Kairos Prison Ministry Australia coo@kairos.org.au |
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AKT - KI and KO - Register Now
The KPMA board has resolved to retain the requirement for Advising Leaders to have attended an AKT within two years of taking up this position on team rather than four years as stated in the Plum Manual.
Kairos Inside Advanced Kairos Training – Brisbane - 26-28 June - Register Now Contact person Ken Moore - aktki@kairos.org.au Kairos Outside Advanced Kairos Training – Cairns - 26-28 June - Register Now
Contact person Coraine Sopru - aktko@kairos.org.au
Kairos Outside Advanced Kairos Training – Hunter NSW - 23-25 October - Register Now Contact person Coraine Sopru - aktko@kairos.org.au Check the Events page for updates and registration forms - https://kairos.org.au/courses/ |
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Update from KI South Coast #1 and Poem from KI Graduate
Thank you to all those who prayed for a more settled peaceful Journey last fortnight. We had an excellent afternoon, and there was a much greater sense of peace as the new guys got to know us and the program better. The guys seem to be really appreciating our attendance. Multiple men thanked us for coming. The men seemed to be hungry for God and a different life when they get out. Please pray for God to meet them where they are at. Our major prayer point is for more men to join our team. There were only 8 of us last fortnight. Some of us will be away in June and July which will make it especially important.
If you know anyone living on the NSW South Coast please encourage them to talk to us about joining our team (contact via the website - kairos.org.au/volunteer. If you attend a church on the South Coast please share the opportunity: -
There are not many opportunities in life where men will sit with you, listen openly, ask genuine questions about faith, and admit they need hope. Kairos Prison Ministry is one of those rare opportunities.
- When we walk through those prison gates, we meet men who are searching. Men carrying regret, brokenness, loneliness, and spiritual hunger. And we have the privilege of sharing the love, grace, and truth of Jesus with them.
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They don't need to be a preacher. They just need to be a follower of Jesus with a willing heart. As we say "Listen, Listen, Love, Love".
- Again and again, team members say the same thing: "I thought I was going to bless the inmates — but God changed me too."
- It is a very meaningful and satisfying way to serve. Real conversations. Real impact. Real transformation
A Kairos Inside graduate from South Coast Correctional Centre wrote this poem below, which he dedicated to the Kairos team and gave to the Chaplain (see below). David, Agape Coordinator - KI South Coast. |
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The Grace Upon Grace That God Likes to Gift - Written by Philip a Graduate of KI South Coast #1 It happened right now, just then and there while I was sitting quietly at the makeshift prison chapel in my chair. Some of the most beautiful words I've ever seen appeared up there on the screen.
Tears welled up within my eyes, these beautiful words, they really touched me guys. If he is the creator and we are the creation this most definitely explains where I'm getting all of my inspiration.
Ah ha, I just had an idea that must been "the workings of God" because of the suddenness that it happened to appear, suddenly "EVERYTHING" for me has become clear. What if I could take could take the grace upon grace that God likes to gift then share them with my brothers and sisters to give them a lift. |
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About Time Prison Newspaper
Interested in understanding prison life a little better? "About Time" is a national prison newspaper and an interesting resource.
Plus, we have updated our advert in the paper asking those in prison to tell women they know about Kairos Outside.
Read stories on their website here
Download a pdf of a past edition of the newspaper here |
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Music - Kairos Song Book and Favourites - UPDATE!
The list of Kairos favourite songs in our website has been enhanced and will help make your life easier when it comes to music in Kairos. It now includes: - All Songs from the "Kairos Song Book" plus other favourites
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All Kairos mandatory songs
- Links to CCLI (for words, chords, score, etc…)
- Links to CCLI (Lyric Video) ie. video with music & Lyrics
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Links to YouTube Music
For any questions or feedback about Music and this new resource, contact Bruce at the KSO - operations@kairos.org.au
Remember - this is a Kairos resource for members only. To access, you will need to be signed into MyKairosOz on the website to be able to view. Use your Kairos.org.au email address to access. Any issues with MKO, email Sarah at projects@kairos.org.au
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Kairos Inside - Agape Letters
Looking for extra Agape Letters (post cards) for participants, from non-team members? Contact Bruce at the Kairos Support Office M:0498-012-263 or email operations@kairos.org.au |
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Program Notification Form - Update to Emails to Regions
A few updates to make the Program Notification process easier for our Regions. First, a new online form that you can quickly complete and on submission, it goes directly to Bruce at the KSO. You'll find the Program Notification Form as usual on the MyKairosOz page of the website. Improving the Office Response to Advice of a New Program In the past, the support office sent a long… long… long… email to team leaders, after being advised of a new program. Feedback about this long email was: - It's great information;
- It's too much information, the email is overwhelming
The support office is now sending 4 much smaller emails, each focusing on a team role: - Team leader
- Music Leader
- Agape/Prayer leader
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Excellence person
If you take on one of these roles, be sure to ask you team leader for a copy of your email. |
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Kairos Google Cloud - File Storage
All Region and State emails were sent an email from Bruce at the KSO in April to advise that we have created an area in our Kairos Google Cloud where all of your Region email-logins can share files/folders. This is addition to the existing Kairos Google Cloud folders for Chair, Treasurer, Secretary and Volunteer History.
We ask all Regions to start moving files to the Kairos Google folders to ensure information is secure and available for future Committees - do not use personal drives, personal cloud storage (like your own Google drive or Dropbox etc) or personal computer storage as this is not secure.
Later this year we will be asking Regional Chairs, Secretaries, Treasurers & Leaders etc… to store Kairos files in the Kairos Google cloud, rather than their local computers. There are several benefits to this change: - Backups are made every night. Lose a file and we can restore it for you.
- Much easier to hand information on to the next person in your role, they get access, then can see all the files for your role.
- Your Kairos information is not lost to Kairos when your computer dies, you move, etc…
- Excellent security around your Kairos Google cloud information.
Currently each Region has several Kairos Google cloud folders available: - Chair
- Treasurer
- Secretary
- Volunteer History
- Region Shared Area
We can set up shortcuts that make it easy to access the Kairos Google cloud. Ring Bruce on 0498-012-263 (or email operations@kairos.org.au) to set up this easy access |
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Online Forms - Team Form Update
Great progress has been made on moving some of our most used forms from PDF to online forms. These new forms are much easier to find and fill in - no need to download, print and scan. Not all forms can move to an online form but we are working on as many as we can. Nothing has changed in regards to how you find forms - go to the MyKairosOz page of the website - kairos.org.au/mykairosoz
A key form that has moved over is the Team Member Information Application and Agreement Form. This updated form works for both Kairos Inside and Kairos Outside volunteers - new and existing. Please use this updated form from now on.
When a volunteer is invited to complete the form, it will be submitted to the Regional Chair and Leader emails.
If they are an existing volunteer, it will be for noting. If they are a new volunteer, the Chair or Leader will need to read the application form, conduct a reference check with the applicant's Church contact and return to the application to confirm if they are suitable or not - this is the longstanding process but has now been incorporated into the online form process.
Privacy is key and the information will be securely stored in the KPMA database by the KSO. If you have any copies of the old forms, please destroy them immediately and refer to MyKairosOz for the correct form. The forms to remove or destroy are: - KI 1001 - "TEAM MEMBER INFORMATION, AGREEMENT & PRIVACY POLICY" and
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KO 2001 - "TEAM MEMBER INFORMATION & AGREEMENT"
Note: The KO 2004 Guest and Team Information - has been replaced by the updated and renamed KO Guest Information form - this form is only for Guests to complete and will remain an PDF form. KO Team Members should use the updated Team form as linked below and destroy any old forms immediately. |
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National Conference - Plan Your Trip |
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Kairos Prison Ministry Australia National Conference 2026 - Register Now!
You would have received your invitation by email to attend the KPMA National Conference to be held the Rydges in the heart of Adelaide, South Australia - 28th - 30th August 2026. You can register now here. Click the button below to see your invite from Chair of KPMA Col Stiller and see all the things you can do while in Adelaide!
Remember, every Region needs to send at least 2 representatives, but all Volunteers are invited to register and attend. Free Kairos bag for attendees! |
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Things to do in Adelaide
The Conference will be in the centre of Adelaide, there are lots of things you can fit in around the conference - all listed in the invitation below:
Veale Gardens: 5 minute walk. Beautiful landscaped gardens, water features, and peaceful walking paths.
https://www.cityofadelaide.com.au/park/veale-gardens/
Adelaide Central Markets: 20 minute walk from the conference. Open Tuesday – Saturday. adelaidecentralmarket.com.au
Himeji Gardens: 12 minute walk. A serene Japanese garden with a koi pond, meditation spaces, and traditional
design. www.cityofadelaide.com.au/park/adelaide-himeji-garden/
Adelaide Botanic Gardens: 35 minute walk or 10 minutes by taxi. One of Adelaide's most beautiful attractions—
lush gardens, historic glasshouses, and rare plants. Link: www.botanicgardens.sa.gov.au
Adelaide Zoo: 40 minute walk or 10 mins by taxi. Home to over 2,500 animals including pandas, lions, and
native species. Link: www.adelaidezoo.com.au
Free City Bus: The Adelaide City Connector bus is a free loop bus service.
https://www.adelaidemetro.com.au/plan-a-trip/free-and-special-transport/city-connector
See more local experiences here: https://www.rydges.com/accommodation/adelaide-sa/adelaide-cbd/thingsto-do/ |
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Grants for Regions Don't forget to keep your eye out for grants that may be available to your Region. Below is a website where you can find out more information about what is available. Ensure you contact COO - Deb before applying and she will also work with you to ensure you have the appropriate and correct information to complete the grant application. Email Deb: coo@kairos.org.au |
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Do you know a Kairos Volunteer who is not receiving this newsletter? If so, ask them to contact Bruce at the KSO to be added to the mailing list - operations@kairos.org.au |
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Vision
A Community Spiritually Freed from the Effects of Imprisonment. Reaching all Impacted by Incarceration, through the Love, Hope and Faith found in Jesus Christ.
Mission
The mission of the Kairos Prison Ministry is to share the transforming love and forgiveness of Jesus Christ to impact the hearts and lives of incarcerated men, women and youth, as well as their families, to become loving and productive citizens of their communities.
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Donate today! Donations over $2 are tax deductible.
www.kairos.org.au | info@kairos.org.au | PO Box 388, Seven Hills NSW 1730 ABN: 55 081 496 175
You are receiving this email because you are a current Kairos Prison Ministry Australia Volunteer. This newsletter is a vital communication tool to keep our Volunteers updated and will be sent to kairos.org.au email addresses.
If you are receiving this email to your personal email address and wish to unsubscribe, please email the Kairos Support Office with your details and ask to be removed from the mailing list by replying to this email or emailing direct info@kairos.org.au
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