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Previous Events "To free the world from every kind of pain is
but to change your mind about yourself." A Course In Miracles EVENTS in 2005:December 5, 2005…..New Lisbon Correctional. On Dec. 5 th , MPM proudly conducted the first Graduation Ceremony at New Lisbon Correctional Institution, in Wisconsin. 15 men received Certificates for completing their one year Spiritual Recovery Program. Ms Cathy Farrey, New Lisbon's Warden and Dr. Stephen Howard our Church's President presented the diplomas and the event concluded with Fellowship time. Everyone enjoyed the beautiful cake made by the inmates! The gratitude expressed by all the participants brought tears to our eyes. Unfortunately, we were unable to “capture” the event on film, as taking pictures was not allowed. Nonetheless, we will always hold the image of joy firmly in our hearts and minds. New Beginners Class starts Dec. 12 th , and the Advanced Class continues, as requested by the graduates. Our love and support to everyone working so diligently to make a real change occur in their thinking, therefore, their lives. September 10-12, 2005 : Department of Peace Conference
MPM will be participating in the Department of Peace Conference held in Washington D.C. this September. Visionaries and politicians within the United States have coordinated their efforts for decades, to bring about a counterpart to the Department of Defense. Rev. Michael will be attending the Conference, meeting with those men and women finalizing this project, as well as offering his services as a volunteer. One of the Conference's major issues on the agenda is prison/prisoner reform, addressing the epidemic of addiction related crimes, and substance abuse. Based on the last six years of experience, the Miracles Prisoner Ministry brings a unique, refreshing perspective regarding Peace within the corrections arena. This perspective recognizes the need for change to begin with the individual, if there is to be any change at all. In particular, it needs to be a change in the individual's addictive thinking. This must be a comprehensive project; in other words, programs of forgiveness, peaceful co-existence, self-responsibility, and Love need to be made available for staff as well as inmates. Some of the topics to be covered: • To rehabilitate the prison population • Traditional political problem-solving focuses primarily on addressing symptoms of violence, such as imprisonment of offenders and engagement in armed conflict • Provide violence-prevention programs addressing domestic violence, gang violence, drug and alcohol-related violence, and the like • To effectively treat and dismantle gang psychology EVENTS in 2004:September 2004: Venezuela Rev. Herschel (see Outreach programs) leaves for Mareciabo, Venezuela Sept. 28, 2004. He was there for 2 weeks, teaching and contacting prisons through Church members who wish to begin a prisoner ministry in their country. They had asked someone from MPM to come there and instruct them on how to begin a ministry, based on the 12-Steps, A Course in Miracles and the Bible. Herschel wasl also teaching classes. Many have heard of the success of ACIM programs in Mexico, and wished to know more. God goes with you, teacher ! August, 2004: MPM is happy to announce the implementation of a long term, on-site Spiritual Recovery Training Program at the New Lisbon Correctional Facility in New Lisbon, WI.
This is the institutions first and only Spiritual Recovery Program. Thanks to Chaplain Mark Teslik and his supervisor, Patricia James, two weekly classes totaling over 70 inmate/students began this August. August 4, 2004: The American Correctional Chaplains Association has invited MPM to attend the annual Chaplains Conference in Chicago this summer. Reverend Michael was invited through Chaplain Paul Rogers, of Dodge Correctional Institution in Waupun, WI.
(more to follow at a later date.) July 18-23, 2004: Indiana Womens' Prison has extended an invitation to the Miracles Prisoner Ministry staff, to host a week long Substance-Abuse Intensive in their prison this July. While some of the MPM teachers were joining the sponsoring organization, Humanity in Unity, in the yearly "Summer Camp" for imprisoned mothers and their visiting children, other MPM staff were teaching in the classroom with inmates who were not able to be at the Camp. There were 50 women who signed up for the week's program, which included MPM's Spiritual Recovery Course, Prayer, Meditation, Live Music, lively discussions and lots of homework !
Women inmates completing the program will receive Certificates of Completion! This is a "pilot program" which will be initiated in other prisons around the US.
Indiana Women's Prison already uses many of MPM's booklets, videos and tapes in their Substance Abuse Programs.
The dedication of the Labyrinth at the prison this past month, brought the IWP staff, Humanity in Unity and MPM together again for 2 days. July 7-13, 2004: The Miracles Prisoner Ministry will be participating in the Parliament of the World's Religions International Conference in Barcelona, Spain. (Visit our 'Archives', MPM at the United Nations, for information on previous international events.)This highly anticipated international, interreligious gathering was a rare opportunity for people of faith and spirit to find inspiration and renewal and forge new pathways to peace. The Parliament's theme was Pathways to Peace: the Wisdom of Listening and the Power of Commitment.
As an outreach program of A Course in Miracles International, MPM was present for the entire conference, extending its message of Forgiveness and Healing for all those who are incarcerated around the World. June 1, 2004: Reverend Michael and Herschel was traveling "south of the border" to Mexico, where they participated in a week-long workshop hosted by A Course in Miracles International at the Centro Medico Nacional. Michael and Herschel will accompany the Mexican teachers into 2 main prisons in Mexico. All 21 Federal prisons now show our video "A Saturday Night 12-Step Meeting" in their rehabilitation programs, and use 2 of our booklets. (See "Mexico Outreach" for more information.) May 18, 2004: Dodge Correctional Institution, WI, hosts its annual "Volunteer Appreciation Dinner and Program" Tuesday night for the volunteers who served there during the past year. About 15 ministers from MPM were attending, as well as participating inthe volunteer training seminar for the upcoming year. EVENTS in 2003:July 18, 2003 will see Reverend Herschel off to Thailand again for a few weeks. Herschel expects to meet all of the prisoners he met in his last trip to Bangkok and also those who have made contact with MPM since then. Going with him is Rev. Philly and Thai native and Teacher of A Course in Miracles, Jieab. Joined by a team from Wisconsin, they will be establishing a Healing Center in Thailand, which will serve as a teaching facility, house visitors, and be the "home base" for MPM in Thailand !!! These ministers will attempt to visit each prisoner and share their love, communciation and spiritual reading materials with them. Our prayers go with you all and God speed ! July 20, 2003 will send Reverend Michael and 6 other ministers to the Indiana Women's Prison in Indianapolis, Indiana for their annual "Family Ark Summer Day Camp" at the Indiana Women's Prison. The camp runs from Monday thru Friday, July 21-25, beginning at 8:00 am until 5:00 pm. From 50 to 70 children of incarcerated mothers are expected to participate. The activities are on the prison grounds, with the highlight being the teddy bears given to the children with their mother's voice recorded inside. Dodge Correctional Institution has welcomed MPM into its teaching classes.
Chaplain Paul Rogers, President of the ACCA (American Correctional Chaplains Association) has worked with Reverend Michael to facilitate the introduction of MPM's weekly Spiritual Recovery Class: "A Way Out." The program has been received very well by inmates and the class continues to grow. Mexico Update: Reverend Herschel reports great news from the Prison System in the country of Mexico. (See also the MPM website section on "Outreach", "Mexico")
The federal prisons in the Mexico City Area are now featuring MPM"s "12 Steps, A Saturday Night Meeting" video (subtitled in Spanish) in Amoloya, the biggest and most secure prison. The "20 Minute Book" is being used as an introductory reading book for all interested prisoners in the 11 Federal Prisons in the Mexico City Area. Rev. Herschel plans on visiting Mexico as soon as he returns from Thailand.
EVENTS in 2002:
October 3-8, Fort Dix, New Jersey
MPM's Spanish outreach representative, was visiting a group of Spanish speaking prisoners at Ft. Dix Correctional Facility in New Jersey. Our Spiritual Recovery Correspondence Course is now translated into Spanish and inmates did receive a personal visit to implement this program. September 28 - 30, UVM, Burlington, Vermont
The Miracles Prisoner Ministry was present at WE THE PEOPLE PEACE SUMMIT and was handing out our materials at the Ira Allen Chapel at the University of Vermont. Sept 27- 30, Maastricht, HOLLAND
Some of our Board members were representing MPM at The Maastricht Exhibition & Congress Center, Forum 100, 6229 GV Maastricht, Holland. We are excited that our program materials are translated in Dutch and have been introduced in Holland. September 15th, Lansing, Michigan
Dan Maynard was MPM's spokesman addressing the State of Michigan's Chaplain's Association in Lansing, Michigan. Fifty chaplains did receive booklets, tapes and information about our ministry. June 11-25, 2002
Reverend Herschel was visiting Mexico again! He was seeing Mercedes (see Outreach section) and other teachers of A Course in Miracles in the prisons.
In Acapulco Hershel was teaching with ACIM groups, in Puerto Vallarte he was visiting ex-offenders who have completed the study course of ACIM within the prison system (ACIM is offered in all 21 Federal Prisons in Mexico). June 15, 2002
The 1st Annual Wisconsin Free AA Corrections Conference, hosted by Bruce Powers: Held in Poynette, Wisconsin, this one day seminar will focus on carrying the message of Alcoholics Anonymous into Correctional Facilities. Ex-offenders, AA members in corrections service and professionals in the field will be present on the panel.
Reverend Michael will address the group on the "12th Step - Giving It Away." March 1, 2002 was the commencement date for MPM's
"Spiritual Recovery Correspondence Course (SRCC)".
Over 200 Inmates are already enrolled in the Program with more signing up on a daily basis. Anyone close to an enrolled Inmate is also invited to participate in the Program along with that Inmate. All you have to do is…ask. For more details, please see our SRCC Section on this website. March 7 - 8, Peace Fair, Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Friday 1:00 - 9:00, Saturday 9:00-4:00
A Course In Miracles International and the Miracles Prisoner Ministry will have a booth offering Peace through Forgiveness at the Fourteenth Annual Nobel Peace Prize Forum at Augustana College in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Thirty Presenters will be speaking at this International Event on the theme:
"Striving for Peace, Who is Responsible".
Free and open to the public.
contact: Miracles Prisoners Ministry (608) 253-9598 February 9- 16, 2002, Bangkok
Reverent Hershel (Gerritt H Pool) will be traveling to Bangkok and meeting with ministers from the Calvary Baptist Church, home to a large prison ministry operating in the country for over 20 years. Rev. Herschel also visited the United States Embassy and received the names and paperwork to visit American prisoners in the Bangkok prison called Bang Klang. He visiedt British inmates through the Great Britain Embassy.
February 17-24, 2002, Chang Mai (Northern Thailand)
The ministry of Lanna Church introduced Herschel to prison officials.
Other Areas of Travel
included the Golden Triangle, Cambodia, Burma, and Laos. Nov. 1+2, 2001: "Communities Meeting the Challenge: What's Working; What's Next"
at the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee. The Benedict House's Community Justice Action Coalition was sponsoring this years conference titled: "Communities Meeting the Challenge: What's Working; What's Next" at the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee. Representatives from the State Legislature, prison reform and Delancey Street Residential center in California were there. The "Great Debate" was Thursday night, and focus on treatment vs. prison, for drug related crimes. MPM was there, since this theory is compatible with our Recovery Program. Sept. 24 + 25, 2001 Wisconsin Correctional Association
MPM attended its first annual WCA conference in Appleton, WI. This year's conference was entitled: "Commitment - Go the Extra Mile". Over 800 correctional professionals did attend, including reps of federal, state, county and local agencies throughout WI. MPM was an Exhibitor and offered its "12-Step and A Course in Miracles Spiritual Recovery Program" along with CD's, videos, tapes and written literature supporting its Mission Statement and program for inmates around the world. EVENTS IN 2001:June 11-17,2001 International Forgiveness Week
THE ADVENT OF A GREAT AWAKENING! A Family Festival Celebrating The Freedom That The Healing Power of Love And Forgiveness Is Bringing To All The World
April 27-29 Prison Ashram Project - North Carolina
Retreat hosted by Bo Lozoff in North Carolina. An opportunity to meet other prison workers & explore programs; to introduce Bo and Sita to MPM.
March 24/25, 2001- Prison Ministry Conference - New York
Hosted by the Interfaith Center of New York, NY Theological Seminary & the Osborne Association, the interfaith consortium includes Presbyterians, Methodists, Quakers, Buddhists and others, and is funded by the Ford Foundation. The US prison system will be discussed, issues of religions issues for the incarcerated, Racial problems and difficulties for families of inmates are some of the topics. MPM will exhibit and participate in the conference.
November 17-23, 2000 - Correctional Educators Association Conference in San Francisco, CA.
There will be more than 400 educators from 5 states representing juvenile and adult correctional agencies, youth-at-risk programs and corporate representatives. The Correctional Education Association is a leader in adult and juvenile correctional education. This years conference theme is: CEA 2000, Correctional Education: The Bridge to Success.
MPM will be attending this 5 state educators conference and will also be an exhibitor. We hope to share our 12-Step Spiritual Program of Recovery with all who attend, and that each teacher will be touched personally, by the gift of hope and miracles. The communication and sharing at the conference can then be brought to each inmate, to aide them in their healing.
Various prisons will be visited within the California Bay area during the week following the seminar. November 16 ,2000 - A visit to Taycheedah Prison in Fond du Lac, WI. October 20 - 21, AA Correctional Facility and Columbus Ohio Convention October 14, Jail Chaplaincy Program,
hosted by The Benedict Center at Milwarkee County Jail October 10, Boscobel Supermax Prison in Boscobel Wisconsin September 18 - 26, Central California State Prison and The Bay Area Prisons  August 28 - 31,2000
Millennium World Peace Summit
hosted by the United Nations in New York
Our heartfelt thanks for all your love and support
for our Miracles Prisoner Ministry.
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