Prison Ministry Team Report for August
Prison Ministry at Newton Correctional Facility Update
In August, the prison ministry at Newton Correctional Facility finally got underway! A group of about 30 incarcerated individuals have been meeting on their own for nearly a year to discuss UU principles and ideas. We’ve provided them with a few printed materials, but they asked for a representative from our congregation to meet with them inside. Former ministerial intern Bridget Laflin volunteered for that role and has been working hard for several months to meet all the qualifications to become a volunteer at Newton. She proposed ideas for services, purchased more materials for the men, and worked closely with Newton’s chaplain to gain approval. Finally, on Monday Aug.18, she made her first visit and got an enthusiastic reception by the men. She is only allowed a one-hour visit with them per month but is hoping to expand on that amount of time. Congratulations and thank you, Bridget! This is an important step for PMT and the UUS congregation.
PenPals
PMT also 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. In a few cases, we’ve given donations from our fund to pen pals in financial need.
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. And now there’s a new group of men at Newton to write to. Bridget reported that they’re eager to hear positive stories about things that happen in UU congregations and the world. This is a great opportunity to connect not just with an incarcerated person but with someone who’s beginning to explore UUism. Your personal stories and thoughts about the role UUism plays in your life could encourage and help guide them in the development of their faith. PMT 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 www.uusic.org/connect/#justice.
Worthy Now Prison Ministry
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.
Monthly Meeting
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 September 2, 2025, at 7:00, either in person or via Zoom (Meeting ID: 848 0842 4430; Passcode: email [email protected]).
Post Content URL: https://www.uusic.org/connect/#justice (under Social Justice Groups & Community Service Teams)
