A little over a year ago I, along with seven other women from my small group, attended a Friday night church service at New Beginnings Worshipping Community in the Denver Women's Prison.
It was the first time I had gone to a service at the prison and I have to admit I was really nervous. I was SO FAR out of my comfort zone. I did not know what to expect and was filled with irrational fears. I was afraid of missing one of the dress code rules we were emailed and that I would not be allowed in. I was afraid we would be let in and something bad would happen while we were there. I was even afraid I would get lost trying to find the prison parking lot.
What I learned, and this is an important lesson, sometimes it is a good thing to push beyond our comfort zone. I discovered that while there were restrictions, getting into the prison was, initially, a lot like going through airport security. The pastor met us in the waiting area and explained the entrance process along with conversation and physical contact guidelines prior to our proceeding onto the prison compound.
Yes, this is a maximum security penitentiary and we walked through many loudly slamming electronic gates and doors, surrounded by fence and barbed wire on our way to where the services would be held. But, once we walked into our final destination it felt more like we were in a high school cafeteria set up as a temporary sanctuary than a prison. The female inmates who helped set up the area for the worship greeted us, engaged in small talk, and made us feel as comfortable as they could.
Once it was time for the service to begin, we were encouraged to spread out and sit in any available folding chair. The rest of the inmates then joined us, entering in groups determined by their behavioral status and corresponding housing unit. They sat in designated areas according to the letters on the end of each row.
While no guards were present, the volunteers stationed around the room made sure everything ran smoothly without disruption. And honestly, behavior was not really an issue as attending church in a prison is a privilege that can be quickly snatched away and the inmates treat it as such.
Once everyone was seated, we all participated in a pretty traditional Lutheran worship service. The inmates were very involved - reading, singing, helping with communion. Visitors were also encouraged to actively participate - sing, take communion, pass the peace. It was easy to observe how much of an honor it was to serve and that the women were very proud to be selected to assist.
After the service was over and chairs were put away, the inmates were dismissed back to their housing units and we were "debriefed" by one of the Friday night volunteers, escorted back to the reception area and departed the prison.
That was my first experience as a worship visitor at New Beginnings and I have gone back on several occasions since then, taking new groups of women with me each time.
Every visit has been a new and different experience.
Some nights I felt comfortable - some still a little intimidated. I observed the inmates change - and remain the same. I saw too many familiar faces - and too many new ones. I noticed women who could be my daughter - and women who could be my mother. But, I always felt the presence of God in this place that seems so very far from God. There was hope and love in these women, despite their circumstances. Or maybe, they have new hope and love through Christ because of their circumstances.
One Friday night, some time after that first visit, I listened to the testimony of a familiar inmate as she shared her heartbreaking but ultimately inspirational, journey. Her life was one of extremes, but her faith journey, with its periods of loss and disbelief, hope and new beginnings, was one each of us could identify with in some aspect. As I looked around through misty eyes, I saw tears running down the faces of visitors, volunteers and her fellow inmates.
Getting over my fears; finding the courage to step out of my comfort zone; acting confident even when I was not feeling so secure enabled me to experience a life changing moment. And deep down, aren't we are all just looking for love, compassion, and hope for the future?
As someone who likes to plan ahead, has anxiety when she doesn't know what to expect, and tends to take the safest route - it is a personal triumph to push past my fears and try new things. There are many exciting and rewarding experiences waiting for us - if we are willing to step out of our comfort zones.
Maybe worshipping at a women's prison is not your thing...but maybe it is. Try something new, something uncomfortable and you may find a new passion. Or at the very least, a new experience.
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http://www.newbeginningswc.org/ |
