Next
Meeting: 11-11-09
MCPCC met on Oct. 14,
2009 in West Newton, with Mary Ann Donaldson, Tom Crowther, Marjorie Moerschner, Elizabeth
Woodbridge, Craig Korowski and Carol Winton.
We were very pleased to see Carol, who has
been dealing with a serious long-term illness in her family.
Chairman Mary Ann asked us to share our
memories of Dick Nethercut and Al Fullerton, who both passed away recently.
Dick Nethercut was known
to everyone concerned with prisoners, their aftercare and reintegration,
through his work with programs like the Alternatives to Violence Project (AVP)
and Restorative Justice, and through his Gates Unbarred Fellowship Newsletter.
He shared his own strong faith with many ex-inmates trying to lead better
lives.
Al Fullerton and his wife Mary were members
of the United Parish in Lincoln until they moved to Bernardston a few years ago. Al and
Mary, together with the minister and members of the First Parish Church were
the founders of MCPCC over 25 years ago, and they have continued to be good
friends of MCPCC.
Almost everyone had a memory to contribute. A moment of silence was then observed in honor of these two men.
Tom gave the treasurer's report which showed
little change from last month.
Nancy Shippen of Our Prison Neighbors, our
last month's speaker, had some corrections and additions for our last month's
newsletter:
Coleman's book Social Intelligence provides
new research which helps explain why AVP works- AVP isn't based on the book.
AVP is not officially an international organization, though an international
coordinating committee has just been set up. 23 countries do have ongoing AVP
programs.
Nancy is now retired from school teaching and so has more time to give to her many volunteer projects. Among other things, she recruits and mentors volunteers to work in prisons- and would like more volunteers! She works on developing new programs and works with the DOC to increase opportunities for prisoners to learn and grow. She is involved with AVP programs at Shirley medium and minimum prisons, but not the supermax.
AND SPEAKING OF
VOLUNTEERS- Steve Ultrino, Education Director at Billerica HOC, would like to
offer inmates the course in basic personal financial management mentioned by Nancy
last month IF we can provide a volunteer to teach it. The first phase of the
course would involve one night a week for 6 weeks.
A few months ago MCPCC sponsored a writing contest
at Billerica, with small prizes for winners in each category the money to be
deposited in the canteen fund for them to use there.
Steve Ultrino sent us some of the entries. I'll try to include one in each newsletter, space permitting. Here is the winning entry in the essay category.
***
Mentally Defeated
So you have a problem with me and you want me to resort to violence. I'm going to get into trouble, you might to but I'm worried about myself first. Fighting over something peddy, so small I see you have some maturing to do. I'm not going to stoop to your level. All your name calling to get me mad, I already know what your trying to make me do. Make me attack you. It's not working. I'm thinking before I act. It's funny because it makes you more upset that I'm not hurt or reacting to your trash talking. I smile hard and it makes you more upset. Your almost red as a sun burn. I'm relaxed as a plant. Raising your voice for attention. You can get: everybodys attention but not my physical actions. Now you pace around me like I'm supose to be scared, not understanding why I'm not stooping to your level. Now you want me to walk with you so we can settle this. Well I'm fine right where I am, there is nothing to settle. The angryer you get the more I laugh. Which makes you more mad. You just walk away. What I see is your thinking, Why didn't I stoop to your level. Why is he laughing at me. Why didn't you get to me. Well, the answer to your questions is this. I'm a leader not a follower. I have nothing to prove to you or anybody else. It's not worth it to risk my freedom. I'm more mature than all of this. I won the war without a battle. I beat you mentally without being physical and I'm still the champ.
***
As usual we are collecting Christmas cards for prisoners to send their families. Cards should have holiday messages and envelopes. Chaplain Thomas must have them BY DEC. 7; Tom will deliver them that morning. Please mention the need for cards to your friends and neighbors and church members. Charity cards are fine.
We will be privileged to have Deputy
Superintendent SEAN McADAM with us at out next meeting on:
NOVEMBER
11, 2009 at 7:00 PM
SECOND
CHURCH IN NEWTON,60 HIGHLAND STREET, WEST NEWTON All are welcome!
Marjorie Moerschner, Secretary