Elmwood Ministry

“We bring them a tiny, tiny bit of hope and they load us up with joy and love!”

The Elmwood Art and Ministry team has recently completed several sessions of workshops at Elmwood and participated in the Chaplain’s Summit for medium security women. In the fall session we literally and figuratively: “wove” community, focusing on 1 Corinthian 13: Love never gives up. The result was a weaving created by the women for their worship room and connections forged through fellowship and love.

In November, CUMC volunteers participated in the first ever Women’s Summit at Elmwood.

Sherry Finzel captures that weekend here: Chaplain Louann Roberts, from CIC Ministries, had a vision of providing a weekend of programming for the women in medium security at Elwood Correctional Facility that came to fruition November 19th and 20th. Elaine Bondonno, Kathleen McDavid, and Sherry Finzel were invited to be part of the planning committee for the inaugural Chaplains' Women's Summit, and after generating a long list of topics thought to be of interest to the women, Chaplain Roberts generated a survey for the women to vote on the topics of greatest interest to them. After realizing our ambition exceeded the time allotted, we finally settled on six classes to be delivered three times each across the three dorms.

Chaplain Roberts devoted countless hours toward this effort, coordinating staffing and logistics in the jail with Lt. Kristine Pantiga and inviting media to observe and Sherriff Laurie Smith to open the event on Saturday morning. Due to family circumstances, Elaine was unable to attend the summit, and Kathleen McDavid stepped forward to facilitate the Zentangle class in Elaine's stead. Sherry facilitated a coping class that included development of a personal safety plan. The CUMC volunteer group also included Ginny Johnson, Sue Foyle, Gillian Harrington, Gail Jacobs, Sheri Woodhouse, Katie D’Silva and Lou Woodburycatcott complementing volunteers from a variety of churches to support the event.

They each gave of themselves generously and significantly, assisting with class facilitation, group discussion, and support for the instructors. In addition to the classes mentioned, the schedule included health issues, a faith panel, Zumba dance, and job skills facilitated by community and church volunteers. The summit culminated with three worship services held by world-renowned televangelist, Michele Scott.

Based on evaluations completed by the women, the summit was enormously well-received. We were asked whether we would be returning the following weekend, next month, ever…. Expressions of creativity, engagement, openness, and gratitude touched us all deeply, and we each came away from the event with very personal stories of connection and change. To bring God's loving presence into this otherwise stark and sedentary environment was indeed a blessing.

Asked about what the experience of this ministry at Elmwood has meant, our team members speak from their hearts: “At the Summit, I felt that weird feeling you get when you realize that God has tapped you to stand in for Her and show her face to someone She wants to touch. You know, temp angel duty! Being able to share that experience with ladies who don't see themselves as people who have options and who can now see that when they are ready to make other decisions about their lives there are people ready to welcome them and encourage them is definitely temp angel work! It was fun, but it felt like an honor too.

I was shocked at the joy that poured out of those ladies as they made beautiful things and even surprised themselves with their own talent!! We bring them a tiny, tiny bit of hope and they load us up with joy and love. Seems a little uneven but it sure inspires us to do more. Everyone dreams of making a difference, but this is a difference in Technicolor.”

“This collaboration with our group of amazing and dedicated CUMC women is inspiring. Inspiring, too, are the words, works, and expressions of the incarcerated women with whom we work. To feel God guiding our efforts and to see the glorious creations resulting from our collective endeavors bring me great joy. I am humbled and grateful to be a part of this ministry, and I look forward to seeing our outreach flourish.”

“The Elmwood ministry is a reminder to us all that our real “job” in life is to love others without judging; judging is not what God asks us to do. Everyone deserves love and kindness. Where they are, who they are, what they do, or have done is not our spiritual business – it is God’s business and their business. This is great news, and it frees us all to give and love with our whole hearts. Being selective about who we love and care for would only get in the way of connecting with God and loving others… our real job.”

“Where we have seen God and joy this past week? Well, that was easy for me - the women at Elmwood. I had a lengthy conversation with an inmate about her plans for the first few days she is out of jail. She was very matter-of-fact about getting out on Saturday night (no complaints about getting out late in the evening), said she needs a place to stay for Sunday night so she can be in town to meet her probation officer on Monday morning. She said she would go to church services all day on Sunday if she has to. I could see the worry and anxiety in her face but also strength and courage. When she opened her heart and prayed for reconciliation with her children...I saw it...HOPE is alive at Elmwood.”

“Working with the women at Elmwood has been an uplifting experience filled with grace. Although they have a tough road ahead of them, they are trying to find a way to better themselves, find hope, and strengthen their faith. They show me what grace looks like in their gratitude, excitement, and willingness to expose their hearts to us all.”

“My emotions are so deep with this ministry that words are inadequate to express my feelings. I feel sadness and elation, joy and pain. Sadness for these beautiful women allowing themselves to be in their situation; elation that I can be part of a team that allows them a few moments of peace, serenity and safety; joy for the wonderful smiles for the women's gratitude; and pain that I am not able to do more. That God has opened my heart to a part of life I have worked so hard to stay away from is unbelievable and awakening.”

“Working on the jail art ministry team has been such a blessing! Seeing the materials we bring in metamorphose into vibrant works of art and hearing the women's hopes and prayers amidst their circumstances is a spiritual experience. I believe everyone touched by this ministry has been transformed in a profound and beautiful way.”

“Working with inmates and our team allows me to learn truths about myself, turns my concerns into concrete action and constantly puts me in the presence of God’s forgiving and transforming grace. This healing grace has no bounds. We, inmates and volunteers, are transformed; I am changed.”

AMEN!