The hours of light are obviously getting shorter each day. It’s that time of the year when we intentionally think about and celebrate the lives of loved ones who have died. The death of someone we love is particularly disruptive. We feel their absence and recognize how our lives have changed. Grief becomes a part of our days and periodically it drains us.
In addition to taking care of ourselves and staying connected with others, ritual is an important part of walking through grief. Rituals are purposeful actions that connect us to something beyond ourselves. They sustain us in grief. They help us feel connected to the person we have lost, bring order to the confusion and chaos we may be experiencing, bring a healing touch to the pain we are feeling, and can eventually help us to claim with thanksgiving the gift that the loved one leaves with us.
Every loss is unique. Sometimes there is a sense of completion. Sometimes it is a life tragically cut short. Other times there are words left unsaid. For some, there are old hurts wrapped in with the loss and now reconciliation is impossible. Ritual can speak to any grief journey.
We are once again offering our annual virtual candle lighting for loved ones. If you would like to remember someone who has been important in your own life with a tribute and candle, we invite you to make your submission by November 14. A tree will be planted in their honor. There is no cost involved in making your tribute.
This year we are also emphasizing this opportunity for the individuals we serve in prison. When they lose a family member or friend, they are unable to participate in funeral or remembrance services. We know that being able to virtually light a candle and have a tree planted will support them in their grieving process.
Our annual online Thanksgiving and Remembrance Service is planned for November 21 at 9:30 a.m. Mountain Time. A link will be sent to those who choose to light a candle. We are in the process of planning a Remembrance opportunity in the prison since they are unable to join us online.
This month we would like to recognize the volunteer efforts of Kevin and Susan Navarro who serve as Soul Care Mentors in Denver Women’s Correctional Facility. Kevin and Susan are no strangers to Restoring Connections. They both are graduates of our Formation Program for Soul Care. They have been active participants in our anti-racism program and in our special communications programs for overcoming divisiveness in our families and communities.
Through Soul Care Mentoring we serve individuals of all faith traditions and no faith tradition. We help them explore the deeper reasons why they ended up incarcerated, find meaning in their experience, address inner wounds and need for healing, identify the values they want to guide their life, develop the skills for good decisions and grow in their relationship with God.
Kevin’s enthusiasm for his volunteer Soul Care Mentoring is reflected in the way the eyes of his mentees light up as they talk about how much his presence means to them. “I feel such gratitude to serve at DWCF,” Kevin says. “Susan and I were trained by Vie Thorgren as spiritual directors to do soul care for those on the margins. It is such a blessing to meet the presence of Jesus through the women I serve. He is truly among the least of these.” (Matthew 25:37-40)
Susan’s involvement has sparked several applications for a soul care mentor in the facility. Her mentees have been talking about the difference their time with Susan makes and others have decided to explore what participating in Soul Care can mean. Susan acknowledges, “I am so blessed to be able to bear witness to God at work in these precious women. God also speaks to me through them. I am grateful for Restoring Connections and their ministry at DWCF.”
Apart from their volunteer efforts with Restoring Connections, Kevin and Susan are employed with the ReWire Team. ReWire deepens the Church's intimacy with Christ and impact in the world. To find out more, visit: https://www.rewireteam.org
Restoring Connections encourages NO vote on Proposition 128
We know that not all of you are from Colorado. The contents of this email are so central to our mission, however, that we wanted to keep you informed.
If you are registered to vote in Colorado, you now have your ballot. There is a lot on the ballot, and no one can have all the information on everything, so we trust reliable sources to help us understand. Restoring Connections from its’ 25 years’ experience working with incarcerated individuals, is encouraging a NO vote on Proposition 128. Here is some information for consideration in your decision making,
A Little history
In 1985, Colorado passed a law that doubled the sentence length for all felonies. In 1987 Colorado followed that with a “truth in sentencing” law that is still in effect. This requires people convicted of specific violent crimes to serve 75 % of the sentence before parole eligibility. If they have 2 previous convictions, they must serve 100% of their sentence. In either situation, individuals can be awarded some “earned time” towards parole by good behavior and hard work.
As a result of these laws the Colorado incarcerated population doubled twice between 1985 and 2000. These “tough on crime” measures ushered Colorado into mass incarceration with a present budget of 1.2 billion. The number of people in prison over age 50 has grown 123% since 2002.
What does this Proposition do?
Proposition 128 eliminates the possibility for earned time and penalizes those who have worked hard to make changes and rehabilitate. Research tells us that people are more likely to change with positive reinforcement than with negative consequences. In other words, punishment does not change behavior in positive directions. Proposition 128 would also increase the amount of the sentence that must be served before consideration for parole. This will drive up the number of elderly individuals in prison regardless of whether they have reformed and are no longer a safety risk.
The purpose of sentencing is not just punishment for a wrong done. It is also supposed to be balanced with rehabilitation and reducing recidivism. Proposition 128 undermines these other purposes. Ninety percent of incarcerated individuals will return to the community. Do we want them to be able to re-enter as contributing members?
Beyond the impact on individual lives, Proposition 128 will significantly impact Colorado’s spending priorities. It would require a $152.4 million investment to build additional prisons and an additional $56.2 million annually to keep people incarcerated longer. Here’s a little perspective. On average, Colorado spends $56,766 per year for each person in prison. At the same time, it is investing only $8,496 per year on each K-12 student. Think about the impact of these priorities!
From our direct experience working with many individuals over an extended period in our Soul Care mentoring, we see the hard work they have done, we witness the transformation in them and the foolishness of just continuing to incarcerate for punishment reasons. They could be back with their families and making a positive contribution to society. When you vote, we ask you to vote NO on Proposition 128.