In the spring of 2006, a program of the New York State Council of Churches was held at Eastern and Sing Sing Correctional Facilities. It was led by the Rev. Edwin Muller, Chair of the Chaplaincy Commission. Material developed by Rev. Muller and the Exodus Group at Eastern was used in this three session seminar, Prison Consultation for Clergy and Church Leaders.

In this issue, we want to introduce you to the people who chair the Council Program Commissions:

Ed Muller, Chair of the Chaplaincy Commission

The Reverend Edwin M. Muller is an ordained Methodist Minister and member of The Greater New Jersey Annual Conference. For thirty-five years he served in The New York State Department of Correctional Services as Chaplain to Green Haven Prison, Ministerial Program Coordinator, and Acting Director of Ministerial and Family Services. In the early 1970s, Rev. Muller was granted funding by the Riverside Church to start the first college prison program and Green Haven Prison, working with the incarcerated to earn their college degrees. He is currently a member of The Riverside Church and works with our Prison Ministry group.  Ed has done significant research on what makes a good parolee and took the lead in the Council presentation of this material to the parole board.

Chick Straut, Chair of the Public Policy Commission

Chick steps into a position held for many years by Mike Kendall.  He brings to the position a deep interest in social justice and significant experience in advocacy.  A member of the Methodist Federation for Social Action since 1963, he received a justice award from the organization in 2007. He received an A. B., a M. Div. and a D. Min.  from Drew University.  Chick served many years in parish ministry and as Superintendent of the Long Island West District of the New York Annual Conference (1985-1991).  Through much of his ministry, Chick has been involved in ecumenical organizations  including the Brooklyn and New York City Councils of Churches and the Commission of Religious Leaders in NYC.  He also served as a consultant to Mission and Social Justice Ministries at Riverside Church in New York City

Orientation to Council of Churches is On Line

The NYSCC has created an orientation slide show. You are invited to download and use it. It is available from the home page and "about us" sections of our web site, www.nyscoc.org. You have your choice of powerpoint or pdf formats.

Christian Principles in an Election Year

“. . .our Christian faith compels us to address the world through the lens of our relationship to God and to one another. Public discourse is enhanced as we engage civic leaders on the values and ethics affirmed by our faith”. (NCC Christian Principles in an Election Year).

As we become participants in public discussion we must keep in mind that our churches, denominations and church organizations cannot  endorse any political party or any candidate.  In October 2006 we printed a set of principles that can help inform our discussions and decisionmaking from a faith perspective.  They were developed by the NCC Justice and Advocacy Commission. 

1. War is contrary to the will of God. While the use of violent force may, at times, be a necessity of last resort, Christ pronounces his blessing on the peacemakers. We look for political leaders who will make peace with justice a top priority and who will actively seek nonviolent solutions to conflict.
 
2. God calls us to live in communities shaped by peace and cooperation. We reject policies that abandon large segments of our inner city and rural populations to hopelessness. We look for political leaders who will re-build our communities and bring an end to the cycles of violence and killing.

3. God created us for each other, and thus our security depends on the well being of our global neighbors. We look for political leaders for whom a foreign policy based on cooperation and global justice is an urgent concern.

4. God calls us to be advocates for those who are most vulnerable in our society. We look for political leaders who yearn for economic justice and who will seek to reduce the growing disparity between rich and poor.

5. Each human being is created in the image of God and is of infinite worth. We look for political leaders who actively promote racial justice and equal opportunity for everyone.

6. The earth belongs to God and is intrinsically good. We look for political leaders who recognize the earth's goodness, champion environmental justice, and uphold our responsibility to be stewards of God's creation.

7. Christians have a biblical mandate to welcome strangers. We look for political leaders who will pursue fair immigration policies and speak out against xenophobia.

8. Those who follow Christ are called to heal the sick. We look for political leaders who will support adequate, affordable and accessible health care for all.

9. Because of the transforming power of God's grace, all humans are called to be in right relationship with each other. We look for political leaders who seek a restorative, not retributive, approach to the criminal justice system and the individuals within it.

10. Providing enriched learning environments for all of God's children is a moral imperative. We look for political leaders who advocate for equal educational opportunity and abundant funding for children's services.

Finally, our religious tradition admonishes us not to bear false witness against our neighbor and to love our enemies. We ask that the campaigns of political candidates and the coverage of the media in this election season be conducted according to principles of fairness, honesty and integrity.

An Opportunity for Advocacy at the Federal Level

Ecumenical Advocacy Days brings together lay and clergy from all parts of the United States to explore the background of key issues facing the nation and than to meet with their members of Congress on these issues.  It is co-sponsored by the National Council of Churches, Church World Service, denominations and other Christian partners with strong witness programs in DC. 

This year the event is being held March 13 - 16.  Sessions will be held at the Hilton Alexandria mark Center, 5000 Seminary Road, Alexandria.  Conference registration fee is $160 which includes two lunches and a Sunday reception (After February 13 registration will be $175).  They have also arranged for a special price of $109 (plus tax) per night room rate if arrangements are made by February 11 or until the block is sold-out, whichever comes first.

The theme is Enough for All Creation.  It will focus on climate change, migration and poverty in the US and around the world.  The opening session begins at 6:30pm on Friday.  On Saturday and Sunday there are a variety of workshops and advocacy training events as well as time for ecumenical worship and denominational fellowship.  Monday participants spend time on Capitol Hill visiting with their representatives with whom they have made appointments.

You can look over the information about Ecumenical Advocacy Days on the web (http://advocacydays.org/) For details on housing, registration, etc. 

Hope Builders

Institutional chaplains are hope builders that bring the message of God’s love to people in prison, people who have mental challenges or youth who are in need of special guidance.  They serve in New York prisons, mental health institutions and youth facilities.

To become a state institutional chaplain, the first thing a person needs to do is to apply for certification.   The candidate must be ordained, have a master’s degree or equivalent, be experienced in pastoral ministry and have special training such as CPE.  Before a candidate progresses to the next step they also have to have their denominational endorsement.

After the submitted application shows adequate preparation for this ministry, a candidate meets with a certification committee for an in-depth interview.  If the committee does not deem the candidate ready to face the challenges of this type of ministry, they recommend steps that could lead to certification at a later date.

Those who are interested in finding out more about becoming a chaplain, call the Chaplain Coordinator (518-339-5040) who can refer anyone interested to an experienced chaplain who can share their experiences in this special service and help with decisions about education and practical experiences that will a person get started on a path to a career in institutional chaplaincy.

Some present and retired chaplains speak about this unique calling:

• “Jesus said ‘When I was in prison. . .you visited me. . .as you did to the least of these you did to me.’  Chaplains are the sacred portable presence of the divine in environments where God seems absent” (The Rev. Petero Sabune, Sing Sing Correctional Facility)

• “Our institutionalized youth are cut off from their family, community, and the church.  Our chaplains serve as a bridge for reconnecting the youth to resources of hope.” (The Rev. Charles B. Grimm, ret., Children and Family Services)

• “It is a holy and humbling privilege to serve ‘the least of these’ in prison.  Their faith, stories, and growth cause me to grow as we share together the hope that ‘with God, indeed, all things are possible.” (The Rev. Rosemary Hensley-Weir, Beacon Correctional Facility)