Anyway, this appeared in today's church bulletin at Faith UCC in Iowa City:
I wasn’t sure what to expect when I went with the other nine Faith UCCers to the Women at the Well worship services at the women’s correctional facility in Mitchelville. We had to have criminal background checks completed beforehand. We were given a long list of strict instructions detailing what we could (or couldn’t) do or say. We were told that we weren’t allowed to touch any of the residents, nor were we allowed to share any personal information about ourselves. I was a bit leery going in. I was fearful that our presence may feel like a form of voyeurism. But the prison staff were respectful and the program ministers were warm and inviting – as were the roughly 75 women who worship there every week.
We were encouraged to spread out when we arrived and resist the urge to clump together. I was welcomed by a group of residents. Most of the residents appeared to be in their 20s. They were so excited to see each other that evening. I got the impression that this was one of the few opportunities each week for some of the women to see each other.
It was a contemporary worship services – mostly filled with praise music. You didn’t need a hymnal because the words danced on the overhead projection, complete with inspiring scenery. I remember that the sermon was meaty and the women around me definitely felt the Sprit. And their choir was so amazing! It consisted of ten or twelve singers and it was clear that they were so happy to share their musical gifts with the congregation.
Part of the service was a presentation by the director of Youth & Shelter Services, Inc., and Teens Against Human Trafficking. Get this… The Women at the Well members raised money over a two week period to benefit YSS and managed to raise roughly $93. Keep in mind that residents earn roughly twenty-five cents per hour for the work that they do while in the prison. Ninety-three dollars… That’s digging in deep!
It was humbling to be included in the residents’ worship service and to witness their ministry. I hope to have the opportunity to join in again someday.