Prison Ministry Team Report for April
Back in January, team members Ron Pile and Phil Beck took part in a panel discussion on an episode of Sue Hutchins’ YouTube series, Iowa Prison Perspectives. Their topic was “The Value of a Reformed Murderer,” an essay by Michael Blackwell, who’s incarcerated for life without parole in Iowa’s correctional system. It makes a powerful case for giving a second chance to “lifers” who have turned their lives around and become productive members of society while still behind bars. Read the essay: https://www.uusic.org/connect/#justice. Watch the Iowa Prison Perspectives video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nGICg8IeMU&t=687s.
PMT continued to be active in its Pen Pal program. Members regularly correspond with incarcerated individuals either by “snail mail” or through the Iowa Department of Corrections’ o-mail system, CorrLinks. We are always looking for volunteers to write to inmates. Incarcerated individuals tell us over and over how important it is for them to hear from those of us outside. Just knowing that there are caring people who haven’t forgotten them and are willing to spend time writing to them is a deeply meaningful, positive experience for them. And it is very rewarding for volunteers, too. We can set you up with contacts, instructions for using CorrLinks and postal mail, and a sample introductory letter to use or modify as you see fit. If you think you might be interested, please email [email protected] and one of us will get back to you. You can also check out our page on this website at https://www.uusic.org/connect/#justice.
The UUA has a prison ministry through the Church of the Larger Fellowship, the Worthy Now Prison Ministry Network. They’re also looking for people to become pen pals to incarcerated individuals nationwide. For more information, go to worthynow.org.
The UUS Prison Ministry Team meets on the first Tuesday of each month in the UUS Conference Room. You are welcome to join us at our next meeting on May 6, 2025, at 7:00, either in person or via Zoom (Meeting ID: 848 0842 4430; email for passcode).
Post Content URL: https://www.uusic.org/connect/#justice (under Social Justice Groups & Community Service Teams)
