Who We Are

Your Safe & Welcoming Community

What Is A Dismas Fellowship

We are people from a variety of experiences who gather regularly: ex-prisoners and friends who celebrate the grace we have received in Jesus Christ.

The Dismas Fellowship takes the name from the Good Thief on the cross. Our dream for the Dismas Fellowship is to create a safe and welcoming space where ex-prisoners and their friends can find community and follow our friend Jesus.

Meeting once or twice per month in a growing number of communities across Ontario, volunteers and ex-prisoners gather for a meal, listen to a guest short talk or sharing and then gather in a circle, where we listen to and pray for each other.

What is the Dismas Fellowship Network?

The Dismas Fellowship Network is a group the local Dismas Fellowships that have come together to share ideas and experiences.

Each of the local Fellowships is independently operated by a group of dedicated volunteers.

Learn More

Start A Fellowship

If you are a community chaplain or involved in Restorative Justice Ministry contact us for more information about how you can start a Dismas Fellowship in your area.

Start A Fellowship In Your Community

The Story of Dismas

St. Dismas, also known as the Good Thief, is the apocryphal name given to one of the two thieves (Matthew 27:38) who was crucified alongside Jesus, who repented of his sins, and asked Jesus to remember him in his kingdom. According to the Gospel of Luke the story of Dismas and Jesus is told as follows:

“Now one of the criminals hanging there reviled Jesus, saying, “Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us.” The other, however, rebuking him, said in reply, “Have you no fear of God, for you are subject to the same condemnation? And indeed, we have been condemned justly, for the sentence we received corresponds to our crimes, but this man has done nothing criminal.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” He replied to him, “Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” Luke 23:39-43

The Dismas Prayer:

Dear God,
In your mercy remember me and forgive me for the wrongs I’ve done.
Set me free of my deep fear and resentments.
Melt the hard places of my heart, and
Allow me the grace to
Surrender this day to your loving care. Amen

What We Believe: The Dismas Fellowship Values

We welcome and celebrate one another, regardless of religious or criminal convictions, knowing that we are all “offenders”. 
We encourage everyone to give of themselves in some way – cooking meals, setting and cleaning up, sharing our truth or reaching out to others.
We are committed to paying our way by sharing the costs of food and accommodation.
In the Circle everyone is given the opportunity to speak or to pass.

We will treat each other’s story with confidentiality and love. Each story is sacred.
We are committed to being a safe and responsible fellowship with accountability to the church where our meetings are held.
We are committed to ministering to each other as if they were Christ.

Who We Are

Your Safe & Welcoming Community

What Is A Dismas Fellowship

What is the Dismas Fellowship Network?

Start A Fellowship

The Story of Dismas

The Dismas Prayer:

What We Believe: The Dismas Fellowship Values

We welcome and celebrate one another, regardless of religious or criminal convictions, knowing that we are all “offenders”.

We encourage everyone to give of themselves in some way – cooking meals, setting and cleaning up, sharing our truth or reaching out to others.

We are committed to paying our way by sharing the costs of food and accommodation.

In the Circle everyone is given the opportunity to speak or to pass.

We will treat each other’s story with confidentiality and love. Each story is sacred.

We are committed to being a safe and responsible fellowship with accountability to the church where our meetings are held.

We are committed to ministering to each other as if they were Christ.

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