1. Dismas Fellowship Evening Dismas Fellowship Volunteer Guide
3:00- 4:00 pm: Set-up team Arrival & Preparations
The set-up team usually arrives between 3:00-4:00pm. The room needs to be set-up by 5:15 pm and the meal must be on the serving table by 6:00 PM.
5:45 -6:45pm: Breaking bread in Community
The evening will start with an opening prayer followed by a simple buffet dinner and dessert.
6:45-7:00pm: Clean-up
The clean-up crew and the community begin to clear the tables by approximately 6:45 pm . The goal is to have the sharing circle set-up by approximately 7:00 pm.
7:00-7:30 pm: Celebrating in Song & Prayer
The sharing circle begins with song , continues with introductions and announcements and the sharing of the Dismas prayer and the values.
7:30-8:30 pm: The Sharing Circle
Most Dismas Fellowship evenings have a theme presentation followed by a time for sharing in the circle. The evening concludes with prayer and the song of St. Dismas “Jesus remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
Our Prayer
Dear God,
In your mercy remember me and
forgive me for the wrong I’ve done.
Set me free of my deep fears and resentments.
Melt the hard places of my heart,
and Allow me the grace to
Surrender this day to your loving care.
Amen
Toronto Contact Information
Rev. Harry Nigh:
Ed Vandenberg:
Deacon Mike Walsh:

2. Dinner Preparation Team
Our Vision
Evening Host
Hosting at Dismas provides an opportunity to greet the folks as they arrive and to help monitor activities. It is an opportunity to help create a sense of community which is central to the Dismas Fellowship. Hosting is not a heavy duty. It can be fun. It does not require anything except a willingness to reach out to fellow members.
A safe and welcoming place where ex-prisoners and friends can experience Christian community. Dismas is the name given to the good thief on the cross who prayed to Christ:
“ Jesus remember me when you come into your kingdom”.
Clean-up Team
Volunteer Roles
The clean-up team is responsible for cleaning up the tables and the dishes. This duty includes clearing the tables for dessert and at the end of the meal tables are cleaned , put away and the sharing circle set-up. This should be completed so the sharing can begin at 7:00 pm.
Set-up Team
The Set-up team usually arrives between 3-4 pm and prepares the room for the evening. This involves setting up the required tables, chairs and utensils for the evening.
Some Guidelines
One of the main principles of the Dismas Fellowship is to provide a safe and secure environment for all participants.
We ask that all participants be 21 years of age or older.
Please do not give out any personal information such as your address or phone number. We ask that you keep it simple & on a first name basis.
Please do not lend money if asked. The purpose of the evening is to share a meal and fellowship with the residents.
Please do not leave any valuables unattended. There is a locked cabinet available for this purpose.
If you have any questions or concerns speak to one of the designated hosts and they will assist you.
Dinner Preparation Team
Sharing of the Dismas Fellowship meal is a central part of the evening. Volunteers are required to prepare the meal and desserts. This is ideal for a small faith group that would like to share their gifts with the members of the Fellowship.
Serving Team
The Serving team is a group of volunteers that serves the food prepared by the Dinner Preparation team. They insure that everyone shares in the gift of the meal.