MEETING TIME AND LOCATION
Tuesday, February 21, 2017
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 – Sheryl Dahm – We welcome Sheryl back to FIWP and to her new position as warden at ICIW, after a few years away serving the Department of Corrections (DOC) in other capacities. She will speak to us briefly in February, and we welcome her as the program presenter in March.
Treasurers Report – Marlys Hocker
Scholarship Report – Joyce Knock
Supply Support – Sister Sandy Rodemyer
PROGRAM/FOCUS
This month we are delighted to have Brian Carter, Team Leader for the United Methodist Iowa Conference Volunteer Legislative Advocacy team. The team was established in 2014 with four members.
This year there are eight members, including Brian. They are: Rita Carter, Sheila Corsbie, Kathleen McQuillen, Gary Nims, Wally Paige, Bill Steward, and Bob Ward. The team works as a “voice for the voiceless” on issues including poverty, criminal justice, mental health, schools, environment and gun safety. Please come with your questions for Brian.
RECAP OF JANUARY 2017 MEETING
We were pleased to have the Rev. Lee Schott, pastor of Women at the Well at ICIW and her staff: the Rev. Paul Witmer, minister of congregational care; the Rev. Dan Schott, administrative assistant; and Brenda Hobson, reentry coordinator. Lee was appointed to Women at the Well five years ago by the Iowa United Methodist Conference.
The congregation is ecumenical; its members come from all different traditions. Lee encouraged us to worship with them on Thursday evenings. There is so much energy in their services, with much interactivity.
Lee shared that 90 percent of the women at ICIW have experienced domestic abuse and or sexual assault. She told us that churches don’t talk about incarceration, nor do they invite persons reentering society from prison. She invited us to a workshop on January 28 focusing on Criminal Justice and the Church.
Dan Schott, administrative assistant, attends the Inside and Outside Councils of the church and does administrative work. He serves as a liaison between Women at the Well and churches and organizations in and beyond Iowa. And he works with those desiring to attend worship at Women at the Well.
Paul Witmer serves the Covenant Christian Church of Urbandale and is a part-timer with Women at the Well. He is there on Fridays and conducts worship once a month. He told us the women there are just like us, only more so. He uses his musical talent to the delight of the congregation.
Brenda Hobson is the Reentry staff person, working with women preparing to reenter society and arranging reentry teams for those desiring to have them. A Reentry team works for a year with a woman, giving her emotional support and friendship, helping her transition to society and to find needed community resources. There are several teams in the Des Moines area, and there is a real need for teams in Davenport.
UPCOMING PROGRAMS
In March, we welcome Sheryl Dahm, newly appointed warden at ICIW. Come, hear about where she has been serving the DOC and her vision for the future of ICIW.