MEETING TIME AND LOCATION
Tuesday, January 20, 2015
12:00-1:00 p.m.
Wesley United Methodist Church
800 E. 12th Street
Des Moines, IA 50316-4304
Brown Bag Lunch
MISSION STATEMENT
To bring together and inform individuals and groups concerned about women in the Iowa correctional system and to act on their behalf.
INTRODUCTIONS and ANNOUNCEMENTS
REPORTS:
ICIW Report – Warden Patti Wachtendorf or ICIW Representative
Fresh Start – Peggy Urtz
Treasurer – Rosemary Jungmann
PROGRAM/FOCUS:
We welcome The Rev. Brian and Mrs. Rita Carter (one or both whatever their schedule allows) as presenters at our January meeting. The Carters are serving in their second year as volunteer lobbyists for the Iowa United Methodist Conference. Brian is a retired United Methodist pastor and Rita has been active in United Methodist Women.
RECAP OF DECEMBER 16, 2014 MEETING:
Our thanks to Jim Pemble and Kay Oliver who shared with us the story of Camp Hope, the summer camp for children who have a family member in prison currently or in the past. The camp is a three day camp for 8-13 year olds. It offers recreational options—like swimming, archery, canoeing, high and low ropes, time for sharing and relaxation. It is a safe place where love, healing and acceptance are offered through a relationship with Jesus Christ.
The camp has been operating for three years at Wesley Woods. Jim helped develop the connections to get Camp Hope off the ground. Kay volunteers at Women at the Well. While serving on the Outside Counsel, she heard about the camp, was intrigued and offered to help get it started. Her college roommate runs a similar camp near Rollo, Missouri.
Twelve attended the camp the first year, twenty the second year and thirty-two this past year. Marketing is a big issue. The camp has become known through Voices to be Heard, Boys and Girls Clubs and Trinity UMC. The 2015 cost per camper is $200.
Funding is a challenge. The United Methodist Conference Board of Church and Society as provided a large share in the past. If you would like to make a donation you may make your check out to IA UMC Conf.—Camp Hope and mail it to Vonnie Potter, Camp Registrar, Iowa UMC Conf. Office, 2301 Rittenhouse Street, Des Moines, IA 50321. For more info contact Rev. David Hobbs or Vonnie Potter at www,iaumc.org/camps or 1-800-765-1651.
UPCOMING MEETINGS & PRESENTERS:
We welcome Patti Wachtendorf, Warden at ICIW, as speaker for our February meeting.