Agape (AH gah pay) is a Greek word for unconditional love. In Kairos, we use this term to represent tangible expressions of love, which we present to the candidates during the weekend.
Personal Agape is directed to an individual. General Agape is presented to the candidates as a group.
Please feel free to call upon the Agape chairman if you have any specific questions or concerns.
· Personal Letters – Each member of the Team will write a personal letter to each of the 42 candidates. These letters are written, by hand, in advance of the weekend, without names in the salutation. Then, during the weekend, we will personalize and address each letter. (Remember: place the pen -- or 2 identical pens -- used to write the letters inside your Ziploc bag of letters so your salutation and envelope name will have matching ink.) Begin TODAY! Avoid the crunch of writing many letters just before the weekend!
· Letters from the outside Christian Community – Solicit members of your respective communities to write personal letters for this weekend. Do not wait . . . start NOW! There is a “guide” and some sample letters you may provide to your community. Please use them.
· Agape Works Chain - If you haven’t already, you should begin to keep track of your actions/sacrifices on behalf of the candidates. Included is a work sheet for recording how many of these actions you have performed. One method of recording is to put a slash (/) for each work performed, and make it an X when you have attached the ring to your chain. Use two staples per ring. Colored construction paper strips will be provided at team meetings. The works chain reflects actions by the team only.
· Shields – This is our Kairos name for small posters. One or two of these is included in your packet. Please make as many copies as you can and get them colored by children (from ages 2 to 92) and have kids write messages. Again, work with your Sunday schools and/or Christian schools as well as your own children, neighbors, relatives, and strangers off the street. We have a sample letter to a school principal (in Microsoft Word). A copy of the shield (usually in both Spanish and English) is on our web site.
· Hand Prints with Names and Ages/Community Posters – If you can get kids to do one more thing, have them trace their hands on a sheet of paper and write their names and ages. These will be placed on the walls to show that even little ones are thinking about and praying for the candidates. Also, posters from your church, Cursillo community, Walk to Emmaus, etc. are welcome.
· Cookies – Each team member should bring 4 dozen home-baked cookies to the weekend. Approximately 2 inches in diameter; avoid bar cookies, sprinkles, and powdered sugar. Chocolate chip is a sure winner.
· Prayer Vigil – Friends of Kairos volunteer to pray during each half-hour during the entire weekend. Team members sign up for blocks of time and gather names of friends who will pray. The list of names of prayer partners will be posted in the meeting room during the weekend. You may wish to contact friends in other time zones to help cover the wee hours. We now offer signups via a form on our web site.
Revised 1/6/2004