Meghan Mazur envisioned a COVID-safe penpal ministry between seminarians at the School of Theology (Sewanee) and incarcerated persons. At the time of her proposal (Fall 2020), the Sewanee community was completely isolated in pandemic, and she dreamed of both sharing God’s love with a population that is often overlooked by the Church and expanding seminarians’ ideas of evangelism.
The response from the Sewanee community was strong, and Mazur had a waiting list of seminarians who wanted to participate. She’s seeking additional partnerships with prison chaplains that would allow her to engage more seminarians in the project.
Mazur convened a panel discussion via zoom, featuring Gayle-Fisher Stewart (D.C.), Matthew Lewis (TN), and Gay Romack (AZ). They spoke to students about how they became involved in prison ministry and/or justice reform, including the joys and challenges they have faced during the process. Students asked questions about topics ranging from what it’s like to minister to people on Death Row, to how to become more engaged in the justice reform movement and in racial reconciliation efforts.