Christian Science Commitee on Institutional Work in Greater Los Angeles

Report on Christian Science Lecture at Terminal Island Federal Correctional Institution Feb. 8, 2010

Sponsored by Fifth Church of Christ, Scientist, Long Beach, CA

Suzanne Riedel, CSB from Colorado, gave a very inspiring talk at noon today on "Re-Starting Your Life Spiritually" in the prison Chapel for 60 inmates. Every seat available was taken and the inmates were extremely eager to attend the spiritual talk. Prison authorities announced the talk on the loud speaker while the men were outside in the yard after lunch. Our colorful flyer was posted on the bulletin board leading into the Chapel.

Chaplain Helen Lechner, Stan Swanson (from First Church Long Beach) and Patricia Reid (lecture chairman for Fifth Church, Long Beach) attended the hour-long talk. We brought in several Science and Healths in Spanish and Heraldos, but the inmates that attended were not all Spanish-speaking. There were many Caucasians and African Americans. Connie Warden, Director of Volunteer Services, told us the men who signed up to attend the talk all understood English. We brought in a large box of Science and Healths in English which were all taken by the inmates. At least 40 or more books were taken. Any remaining S&H (mostly in Spanish) and some Heraldos were left in the Chapel bookshelf.

Ms. Riedel has given many talks in institutions and she said she sincerely felt today's talk was the "most inspiring" she has ever given. She thought the experience was totally awesome and couldn't have been better! She commented on the harmonious environment there.

The men were totally silent and sincerely interested as she talked. About five of them asked thoughtful questions afterward. Several inmates came up to us, shook our hands, thanked us for coming and said, "God bless you." Some were regular attendees at the Christian Science church services and one inmate who knew nothing about Christian Science asked to find out when the church services were so he could start attending.

After the one hour talk a woman who was an assistant warden at the prison arrived and introduced herself to all of us and made a special point to thank us and tell us how grateful she was that we had spent so much time preparing for today's spiritual talk. She also wanted to apologize for the call another assistant warden made to Chaplain Lechner last Friday. He called Ms. Lechner to tell her today's talk must be cancelled and should be re-scheduled because the Chapel was closed and no one would be available to take us in, etc. After considerable persuasion, Ms. Lechner was finally able to obtain approval for today's talk.

Although we had brought a box of Science and Healths and other literature, we were initially hesitant to bring it into the prison after the call Ms. Lechner received and because we were told the Chapel had been closed for two weeks and the inmates had not had an opportunity for religion of any kind. We all prayed for guidance and after checking in with the front desk staff, a decision was made at the last minute to take in the box of S&H in English, some books in Spanish and some Heraldos. After putting the literature through the screening devices, they allowed us to bring them into the prison and set them out on a table in front of the Chapel for the inmates to take.

Connie Warden, Director of Volunteer Services, and another woman who also works with volunteers were very cordial and welcoming to us as we entered the prison. After Suzanne's talk they told us they were very pleased with how well it had gone. One woman explained that various "extra curricular" enrichment classes (like AA, meditation, yoga and all religious services) had been suddenly eliminated about two weeks ago. She tried to tell us that there had been a "policy" change and that she was planning to submit some paperwork to justify the programs. She indicated she felt there "was hope" for some of the activities to be reinstated. She said that today's talk was the first "religious" type of function that had been allowed for a few weeks. She pointed out that the inmates have a right to religion.

We all left with a great deal of gratitude in our hearts and thanking and hugging all around. Today was indeed a special blessing for all.

Respectfully submitted,
Greater Los Angeles Committee