Every summer, Unitarian Universalists from around the country and around the world gather at our annual General Assembly. Lots of CLF members participate, too...but more than 10% of the CLF's membership cannot come to GA because they are incarcerated. In spring, the CLF Prison Ministry invited our prisoner-members to write "open letters" to GA attendees, which the CLF staff would bring to GA and have available at our booth for anyone to read (and respond to). Here are excerpts from a few of the letters our prisoner-members wrote:
Merry Meet! I hope you’re enjoying General Assembly and making lots of connections with like-minded individuals. I’ve been a member of the CLF’s prison ministry for several years now. I’m an incarcerated Wiccan. It’s never easy to practice a non-mainstream religion here in the South, but it’s even more difficult from a prison cell. While there are loads of volunteers willing to shove hellfire and brimstone down our throats, spiritual guidance for those of us who choose to follow our own paths is few and far between.
When I first discovered UU I honestly didn’t know anything about it. But because they were open and accepting I thought I would try it out. Little did I know how much my spiritual life would be enriched by my decision.
I feel I’ve benefitted greatly from my membership. I’ve been matched with a wonderful pen pal with whom I can discuss anything from my religious or political thought to the day-to-day struggles I face in such an oppressive environment. Mail is one of the only things that cheers me up and the CLF is responsible for a large percentage of my correspondence. I can’t thank them enough.
I would like to encourage everyone to help the prison ministry, either by volunteering as a pen pal or helping in any other way possible. I would particularly like to reach out to Pagan/Wiccans, as there are many of us languishing in prison with little or no spiritual support. Of course everyone is welcome to help. I feel even the Christians in prison could benefit from a more liberal viewpoint. There are also Buddhists and people of other faiths (or no faith) who could use your support.
—Tom, Texas
Have you ever felt like you were drowning and there was no one to turn to? If so, then we have been in the same place and survived. I couldn’t do it alone. The Church of the Larger Fellowship is the floatation device that was thrown to me and saved my life.
Maybe, one day I will get to thank Chaplain Pat and my [CLF pen pal] friend Alison in person and maybe not. I would cherish that chance.
The letter-writing ministry has been a tool for me to be able to reach out and connect with society. Both of us are still learning to cope with one another. I am 28 years old and have been in prison for 10 years, so I have literally grown up in prison. A few years back before I found the CLF, I distrusted society just as much as they distrusted me. I didn’t believe for a second that I would make it on the outside. Now I know I will. I still have so much to learn out there, but I’m ready to learn. —Sherman, Alabama
People need to realize that there are so many good men and women who for one reason or another have made some seriously poor life choices and ended up in prison. We are Fathers, Sons, Brothers, Sisters, Aunties and Uncles.
The Pen Pal program gives positive, hope-building lifeblood to prisoners. The Quest newsletter and quarterly [UU World] magazine give insight to spiritual wellness. Life is all about choices. Sometimes I write family and gripe because of my poverty, while forgetting the wealth I truly enjoy from those of you I may never know, your prayers and uplifting words of courage and looking to a higher power.
I’m scared! I am afraid of failing to make it out there. When I leave prison it will be with $100 in my pocket and a “see ya soon.” My family has provided me with a place to live, but how will I survive those first few months? Please keep me and my brothers and sisters soon to hit the streets who truly want to succeed and be qualified contributors in our society, ever in your deepest prayers. I am ready spiritually and physically and morally thanks to people like [my CLF pen pal] Gretchen who have bravely reached through the razor wire with a hand of sisterly love. —Jerry, Texas
To become a 'pen pal' for a prisoner-member through the CLF's Letter Writing Ministry, visit our Prison Ministry page, email PrisMin@clfuu.org or write to the CLF.
Summons by Robert Francis
Keep me from going to sleep too soon
Or if I go to sleep too
soon
Come wake me up. Come any hour
Of night. Come whistling up the
road.
Stomp on the porch. Bang on the
door.
Make me get out of bed and come
And let you in and light a light.
Tell me the northern lights are on
And make me look. Or tell me clouds
Are doing something to the moon
They never did before, and show me.
See that I see. Talk to me till
I'm half as wide awake as you
And start to dress wondering why
I ever went to bed at all.
Tell me the walking is superb.
Not only tell me but persuade me.
You know I'm not too hard
persuaded.
