Prison Ministry
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The UCH congregation supports our prison ministry in a variety of ways. Through this work, we demonstrate that our circle of love is big enough to include all people, and to live into our value that all individuals are deserving of worth and dignity.
Our UCH Prison Ministry, which began in its current form in 2018, consists of three parts: pen pal relationships, advocacy work, and supportive events. 
Letter Writing to Those Inside Prison Walls Be an outside pen pal! - Fourteen UCH members have developed relationships with people who are incarcerated. We call those in our church outside pen pals, and those who are incarcerated inside pen pals. We are writing old fashioned letters, emails, talking on the phone, making video calls and/or visiting our pen pals in person. Being a pen pal to those who are incarcerated in our Illinois prisons is not just about exchanging mail. It is about establishing a mutual relationship. We have the opportunity of being proximate, learning together and giving voice to someone on the inside. Often, we are the ones learning a lot. We learn about the carceral system, about where our tax dollars go, and about structural racism. We also learn about despair, patience, hope and resilience. And most importantly, we learn about another’s powerful story. All of the UCH pen pals, old and new, meet regularly for support and reflection. We also have the opportunity to join in a quarterly meeting with pen pals throughout Illinois, hosted by the Church of the Larger Fellowship, Chicago. Advocacy Work for those who don’t have a voice. These pen pal relationships inform and inspire our advocacy work. Our pen pals informed us that Illinois does not have parole for anyone who was incarcerated after 1978. We have worked on this issue for six years - three legislative sessions-trying to get some sort of parole reestablished in Illinois. We are advocating for parole opportunities for adults 55 years and older who have served at least 25 years in prison, many of whom have been incarcerated since their late teens or early twenties. We can always use your help reaching out to your Illinois State Senator or Representative or turning in a witness slip electronically when a bill is in committee. Supportive events to reach more people inside. The third part of our Prison Ministry program includes supportive events: the book sale, holiday cards, and financial support. Book Sale - We are gifting books! Our Prison Ministry is happy to support the statewide work of the Urbana-Champaign Books to Prisoners program. This non-profit provides free books that people who are incarcerated have requested. The books from Books to Prisoners offer those inside not only education and diversion, but also the knowledge that someone on the outside cares about them. The program is co-sponsored by Fair Isle Books, owned by UCH member Debbi Daniel-Wayman. We encourage you to visit the registry of "Often Requested, Seldom Donated Books" wish list on Debbi's site at bit.ly/3FgdmUdB2P Holiday Cards - Many of our members get together to send more than 100 Holiday cards to people incarcerated and spending their holidays inside an Illinois prison. Financial Support - Our work is supported financially by our congregation and we are able to give some to each pen pal to cover costs of emails, stamps, and phone cards. We work with and are supported by Unitarian Universalist Prison Ministry of Illinois, a statewide prison Ministry group connecting congregations all over the state. Join us anyway you feel comfortable in the Prison Ministry at UCH! Team Co- Leaders Susan Stephens Tracey Olson |
Ghost
With all these years in prison I believe I've Come to feel what a ghost must feel, forced to be Spectators in a world where we've long been forgotten. Neither here nor there as life goes on around us. Some have forgotten that they were ever part of that world, they go around hating the world and the people in it. Others remember too well, They long to be part of that world again, to be seen, To be heard, to be relevant. Every once in a while, for however Brief it may be someone sees them, really sees Them. Not for what they are told to see, a ghost, But for what lies beneath. For those who haven't And do not want to forget, who still cherish and hang on to their humanity, it means the world to them. So yes, behind these four walls I've most Definitely come to feel what a ghost must feel, Your friendly ghost. Lonnie Smith Big Muddy Correctional Center Inside Pen Pal 
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