Thirty years ago, Lansing resident Angie Phillips was looking for a a practical way to bring the love of Jesus Christ to those most in need of his mercy. What she found was a pen pal through the Restorative Ministry in the Diocese of Lansing.
“The Prisoner Pen Pal Ministry was in our bulletin,” Angie explains to Mary Kay Mcpartlin in the latest edition of FAITH Magazine, the official publication of the Diocese of Lansing, “My kids were young. I wanted something I could do without leaving the house or having to go somewhere."
One letter a month back and forth with her prisoner pen pal allowed Angie to connect with an inmate in need of friendship and kindness. She followed the instructions of Jesus, “Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.” (Mt 25:40)
After 10 years of corresponding with different prison inmates as part of the program, Angie became a screener as well as a pen pal. Without screeners, the Prisoner Pen Pal Ministry would be at a standstill.
The program needs volunteers to read letters and get each to its proper recipient. Angie alternates each month with Greg, Sue, and Marilynn as weekly screeners.
“It’s designed to be outreaching of Christ,” Angie says. “So many of the letters that I read, everybody is concerned about the same things. It makes you realize how much more alike we are than different. You get a feel for people wanting a human connection.”
To read more about Angie and the wonderful pen pan ministry click here: https://faithmag.com/because-its-important-one-prisoner