PTCA News

 

 

“Is it scary?” That’s the most frequent question I get when I mention that my two churches have a jail ministry. The answer is yes…and no.

 

Remember when you were really young and you weren’t able to open doors on your own—the helplessness and dependence of relying on others? Inmates and even guards to some extent are living in this kind of helplessness day and night. But on the other hand, and I think this is more true, jail is not frightening, because it is a place filled with freedom and light.

Now, I know what you’re thinking, “She’s a hopeless Pollyanna!” But please don’t give up reading quite yet. First, let me say that the jail that we serve, Pierce County Jail, is exemplary. When there has been a stated decision communicated down the chain of command to make an institution a place of contentment, that decision bears exceedingly good fruits for both staff and inmates. But it’s more than that. Simply put, the jail is filled with light because the God is there. 

 

Let me illustrate. Take the phrase, “you have to hit rock bottom before you can recover.” That saying implies that there’s something good about rock bottom. I strenuously disagree. There’s nothing good about losing everything. There’s nothing good about being down and out. But God is good. Jesus said, “Blessed are those who mourn,” not because there’s anything good about mourning but because God blesses and comforts those who are so distraught they can’t even breathe, can’t even speak. Rock bottom isn’t good, but God is. God is with those who have been abandoned. God is with those who see only darkness. God seeks and saves the lost.

 

How come? Because that’s who He is, “the Father of mercies,” “without shadow of turning.” Please don’t mistake me here. We need to completely reform our criminal justice system, and it needs to be done yesterday. We need places people can go, rehabs instead of jails. We need to stop sweeping our fellow human beings under the rug. But at the same time, when I think of how God works in our jails and prisons, I am surprised that people aren’t breaking into them!

 

If you feel the call to volunteer, know that you will meet Jesus there, whether you are helping people learn to knit, working with AA, your local library, working with NAMI, or going to jail, as we do. Jesus said, “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me….to proclaim liberty to the captives and the opening of the prison to those who are bound,” and he keeps his promises. He is “the son of God who loved me and gave himself for me.” He is our “room with a view.” He is our star shining in the darkness.

Mark your calendar for Saturday, January 25, and the next Presbytery Gathering. The Gathering will begin at 9:00 am at Church of the Way in Shoreview, MN.

 

Pastor and artist Shawna Bowman will join us as our featured speaker, reflecting with us on the gift of playfulness, especially during difficult times. (Find out more about Shawna at her website, shawnabowman.com.) Pair Shawna’s offering with worship, fellowship, and key Presbytery business items, and you have a great day. More information in the coming weeks.

 

Please observe the January 13 deadline for ALL reports, materials and inclusions for the stated meeting. If you have any questions please contact Barbara Lutter, stated clerk, at statedclerk@ptcaweb.org.

 

"Our faith dares us" writes Jeff Japinga, "to invest anew in the belief that this better world, this better way is possible."

 

Read more about how to have common hope in our individual callings in this week's edition of Jeff's Jottings...

On February 6-8th, 2020, the Presbytery Leadership Team in collaboration with the Anti-Racism Task Force will host an anti-racism educational retreat, facilitated by Crossroads Anti-Racism Organizing and Training. 

 

This retreat marks the formal beginning of an institutional assessment of the presbytery around the issue of race (which occurs over the next 18 months). The assessment is not a study of individual churches, but rather of the work of the officers and committees of the presbytery as a whole. The wider goal is to:

 

 

Members of the working group who will facilitate this institutional assessment as well as committee chairs and ministry leaders in the presbytery will gather for this training.

 

Such engagement and support may take various forms depending on what support is most helpful to the work group, but is likely to include connecting to the process through 3-4 Zoom calls with the Anti-Racism Task Force, promoting and championing the need for all in the presbytery to participate in surveys and focus groups as requested, and generally being an ambassador for this process by helping all to understand the importance of this work as followers of Christ seeking God’s dreams of justice and peace for all people.

 

 

If you are interested in attending, please complete this online form by Wednesday, January 8. We will work to create a diverse group of attendees from across our presbytery, and will let you know by the second week of January if a spot is available.

 

If you have questions, contact Anti-Racism Task Force Chair Kendra Grams (kendra.grams@fpchudson.net) or Executive Presbyter Jeff Japinga (ep@ptcaweb.org).

 

In Christ,

Anna Kendig, Presbytery Moderator

Walter Rockenstein, Chair of Presbytery Leadership Team

Jeffrey Japinga, Executive Presbyter

Kendra Grams, Chair Anti-Racism Task Force