Prison Ministry Team Report for November
The Prison Ministry Team “endeavors to become informed advocates for justice and build relationships to decrease isolation of those confined in the Iowa Justice System.”
On Sunday, Nov.10, Prison Ministry Team presented the documentary JustUs in the Sanctuary after service. About 40 people attended the showing of this compelling film, a 2021 documentary about problems in Iowa’s prison system, co-directed by Chicago filmmaker Maya Ben-Shahar and Cedric B. Theus, who is incarcerated for life in the Iowa State Penitentiary. There was a Q&A afterward led by Sue Hutchins, long-time advocate for reform of Iowa’s incarceration laws and policies.  The film can be viewed at no charge at: JustUs (2021).
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 persons 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 prisonministry@uusic.org 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 Dec.3, 2024 at 7:00, either in person or via Zoom (Meeting ID: 848 0842 4430; Passcode: 193553).
Post Content URL: https://www.uusic.org/connect/#justice (under Social Justice Groups & Community Service Teams)
