MIDDLESEX COUNTY PRISON COORDINATING COMMITTEE NEWSLETTER

MCPCC met on December 11, 2002 in Newtonville. Those present

were Mary Ann Donaldson, Beverly Wilkins, Elizabeth Woodbridge,

Tom Crowther, Judy Lustig and Marjorie Moerschner.

Beverly reported that not only are there no Cambodian books at

the Billerica House of Correction library, there don't seem to be any in the eastern U.S. By dint of many phone calls, however, she has found a source and will try to order some.

Since the December meeting, we have learned that the Houses of

Healing program is off and running, and the two presenters are

very pleased with the way it's going.

Tom and a group from the Bedford First Church of Christ,

Congregational, led by their pastor Rev. Jamie Howard, will

have Bible study and discussion in the dorm at Billerica on the

2nd Sunday of each month from 6:00 to 6:50 PM. Time has to be

scheduled very precisely in the prison, due in part to lack of

space for meetings.

Tom bought Christmas gifts for children of inmates with the $100

we had voted for this purpose. These were added to the gifts

Chaplain Thomas had obtained from other sources.

Our request for Christmas cards which the men could send to their

families brought a wonderful response. Tom delivered 3176 cards

to the Chaplain early in December! We thank all the churches and

individuals who contributed so many beautiful cards.

Central Congregational Church of Newtonville, which has supported

MCPCC since our inception, closed its doors on January 12, 2003.

The building has been sold to the Boston Chinese Evangelical

Church and will continue to be a house of worship. Central was a

special and much-loved place for Marjorie and its other members.

Tom reported that our non-profit status has been established. Our

fiscal year will run from July 1 to June 30. Tom will take over

the Treasurer's duties from Elizabeth. We thank Elizabeth for

being our faithful and efficient treasurer for the last 10 years!

Marjorie saw The Exonerated at the Wilbur Theater, a powerful and

moving witness against the death penalty and some injustices of

the criminal justice system.

MCPCC had no meeting in January because of stormy weather.

Attorney Lee Gartenburg will be our guest speaker at our February meeting.

NEXT MEETING: WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, at 7 PM, ALL WELCOME!

SECOND CHURCH Of NEWTON, UCC, 60 HIGHLAND STREET, WEST NEWTON