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Hoosier United Methodist News Archives
| Hoosier United Methodists together |
February 2007 |
Indianapolis area women organize prison ministry
For the past year, offenders from the Indiana Women's Prison and members of the Indianapolis West and East Districts United Methodist Women have met together to form a monthly prison ministry, called "United Methodist Women - Women Inside."
The two-hour meetings are modeled as typical UMW meetings, which includes mission speakers, devotions, studies from Response Magazine, prayer time for missionaries, and various arts and crafts projects. The women also participate in Bible study and are currently studying "Bad Girls of the Bible."
Barbara King, Phyllis Newton and Frances Cain, officers in the Indy West District UMW, regularly inform the group about the scope and mission of UMW as well as to introduce the UMW reading program. "Women Inside" are encouraged to read books recommended by the UMW and followed by small group discussions.
This past year, UMW members and "Women Inside" participated in several United Methodist Committee on Relief projects which included stuffing school back packs for children displaced by Hurricane Katrina. They also made UMCOR health and layout kits.
One of the goals of this unique ministry is to help the women with re-entry. According to Phyllis Newton, vice president of the Indy West District UMW, "It is vitally important for us to help these women once they are released from prison. Re-entry can be very difficult for some, particularly if they do not have family involvement. Through some of our United Methodist churches and contacts, we want to help former offenders find jobs, transportation and affordable housing. If they have substance abuse problems, we want to help them find counseling. Our goal is to help them become self-sufficient and to become productive members of society."
Women wanting to become involved with United Methodist Women-Women Inside, please contact Barbara King, president, Indy West District UMW or Ila Grinstead, president of Indy East District UMW.
For more information, contact Susan Bennett by e-mail at sdben@sbcglobal.net or by phone at 317-213-4415.
Last updated on 25 Apr 2008