At the beginning of 2020 we kicked off our new program, Living Stones Fellowship, as a way to support returning citizens as they transition back into the community. It was meant to be a monthly gathering for formerly incarcerated people and their families, as well as families of those still on the inside. During this time we would offer a simple meal, an informal worship, a community speaker who would share reentry resources, and a time of fellowship. The events would be held at Peace Lutheran Church in Tacoma, which is located in an area where many of our men are released. A crew of volunteers was ready to facilitate these get-togethers and area pastors were lined up to host.
We met for the first three months of 2020—and then COVID hit. Like everything else LSF was put on hold. Last fall our board and staff began to reimagine how we could provide this opportunity given that gatherings and community meals were still not happening. We applied for and received an ELCA World Hunger Daily Bread Matching Grant. Funds received help support our new, reimagined Living Stones Fellowship.
So what does the new LSF look like? Instead of a group gathering, we now provide a “grab and go” bag filled with a devotional, community reentry resource information, handwarmer, COVID info (including a mask), first aid items (band aids and ointment), and socks. These are distributed at Peace, along with the take-out food boxes their congregation gives out every Friday night to the community.
How can you help? First of all, pray—for the returning citizens and their families, for the health and safety of all, for people to hear about LSF (the biggest challenge is getting the word out to those we want to serve), for people to get their vaccines and for this pandemic to end. Second, you can help assemble and distribute bags. When gatherings and community meals can again safely take place, we will also need volunteers to help facilitate the monthly events. For more info or to volunteer, please contact Sandi, steppingstones2reentry@outlook.com, 360-907-4288.
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