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12/28/2016 11:01 PM

FCC Members Help Formerly Incarcerated


First Congregational Church members from left Shannon Clarkson, Duffel Bag Organizer Marcia Myhre, and Coordinator of Prison and Re-entry Ministries Rev. Sandra Wiens display some of the bags packed for men and women newly released from incarceration. Photo courtesy of Sally Koslik

Twice a year, members of Guilford First Congregational Church, United Church of Christ fill duffel bags and backpacks with personal care items for men and women newly released from incarceration. The church school and confirmation classes donate socks, toothpaste, and toothbrushes, and the congregation donates money to purchase additional items, such as towels, shampoo, soap, and a bus pass. Hats and mittens from the Christmas Giving Tree complete the winter bag, while umbrellas are placed in the spring bags. A hand-written note of support and encouragement is included in each bag. In partnership with the Hartford Resettlement Program of Community Partners in Action, the bags are distributed to men and women upon their release from prison. Members of Guilford First Church consider the Prisoner Re-entry program a vital mission and have participated in it for the past 13 years.