by MOSES Publications | May 21, 2025 | MOSES activities, MOSES leadership, Newsletter
Friends of MOSES at Grace Episcopal Church
By Margaret Irwin
People in our congregations who support the work of MOSES may hesitate to get involved because they are already busy with other commitments. So how do we recruit active members and allies? I started by inviting our Organizer, James Morgan, to speak about MOSES at a Sunday forum. He was enthusiastically received, and some people signed a form indicating an interest in learning more. I wasn’t sure what the next step should be but decided to try an experiment.
I invited people who had signed the form and any other interested folks to come to an informational meeting about MOSES led by Thomas Smith and me. We prepared a handout using materials from the website and MOSES emails that included MOSES’s mission and values and descriptions of both MOSES and WISDOM task forces. We talked briefly about these things, plus the history and structure of MOSES.
We went on to explain the many ways one can support MOSES and emphasized that any type of support is welcome. Our suggestions included: get on the mailing list (secretary.moses.madison@gmail.com); attend a monthly general meeting; keep informed by reading the MOSES newsletter and yearbook; try out a task force or indicate an interest in an operational team; attend Madison Action Day; pray for the work of MOSES; donate money; attend the Gala or another event; check out the website (note – a new website is coming soon); submit a letter to your newspaper; call a legislator; tell a friend about MOSES. Again, we sent around a sign-up sheet from which we have formed an email list. And we named ourselves the Friends of MOSES at Grace.
I am working at doing one-on-ones with the Friends and have already connected one member with the RJAC task force. When an opportunity for participation arises, I let the Friends know. A few folks made contributions through the Big Share day. This initiative shows promise of greater awareness and support of MOSES in our congregation. I would be happy to talk with you if you want to try something similar or if you have ideas to share: mbirwin@charter.net .
Increasing Engagement at Prairie Unitarian Universalist Society
By Pam Gates
Prairie UU has been a member of MOSES since 2013, when a special meeting was held and those present voted unanimously to join. They passed the hat and raised the $200 membership dues at the same meeting!
Staying involved with MOSES has fallen mostly to me, the MOSES rep since that day, but lately there have been signs that interest may be building again, for several possible reasons. First, the problems with Wisconsin’s criminal-legal system are far more in the public eye than they used to be, thanks in part to the work of MOSES and WISDOM over the past ten years. Another reason may be that Trump’s actions have created a great deal of distress, and people are feeling the need to do something. A third reason may be that I have finally come up with some ideas to transmit MOSES concerns that seem to work better than simply leaving yearbooks and newsletters in the lobby. Even mentioning that I’d done that never seemed to generate a lot of response.
Recently, our new minister, our director of religious exploration (kids’ ministry), and I came up with the idea of adding one “MOSES sentence” per week to our Weekly News email. Our administrator was happy to do it and even added a MOSES logo. Here’s a sample: “Did you know … that Blacks make up about 7% of Wisconsin’s population, but about 50% of those incarcerated in this state?”
I also made use of the service auction, which Prairie holds every year as a fund-raiser. Members bid on opportunities or items provided by other members. Last year I extended an invitation to the Gala as my contribution, and two members took me up on it. Our interim minister attended on his own. This year, I will have four Prairie guests at the Gala, and I had two at Madison Action Day. A third signed up but had to work. Altogether, in fact, Prairie had seven people attending Madison Action Day this year, two of them also singing with the Raging Grannies!
Our new minister has made a commitment to attend some general MOSES meetings and has already offered to give a reflection. Sundays are busy days for ministers, and she’s only half-time, but she is clearly interested in the concerns MOSES addresses, which is a definite plus for the Prairie-MOSES connection!
by MOSES Publications | May 21, 2025 | Meetings, MOSES activities, MOSES leadership, Newsletter
General Membership (Hybrid, as of this edition)
- Sunday, May 18, 2:30-4:30 p.m.
- Sunday, June 8, 2:30-4:30 p.m.
- Sunday, July 13, 2:30-4:30 p.m.
- Sunday, Aug. 10, 2:30-4:30 p.m.
Leadership Board (Hybrid)
- Saturday, May 31, 10:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
- Saturday, July 26, 10:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
- Saturday, Sept. 27, 10:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
MOSES Task Forces (via Zoom)
- Justice System Reform Initiative (JSRI)
May 8, June 12, July 10, Aug. 14, 6:00-7:30 p.m.
- Racial Justice for All Children (RJAC)
May 20, June 17, July 15, Aug. 19, 4:30-6:00 p.m.
WISDOM Task Forces
May 10, June 14, July 12, Aug. 9, 8:30-9:30 a.m.
- Conditions of Confinement Conference Call
May 21, June 18, July 16, Aug. 19, 5-6 p.m.
May 22, June 26, July 24, Aug. 28, 7:30-8:30 p.m.
- Treatment Alternatives and Diversion (TAD) Zoom call
June 3, July 1, Aug. 5, Sept. 2, 5 p.m.
by MOSES Publications | May 21, 2025 | JSRI Justice System Reform Initiatives, Juvenile Justice, Newsletter, RJAC Racial Justice for All Children
Submitted by Katie Mulligan
Youth arrests and incarceration increased in the closing decades of the 20th century but have fallen sharply since. Public opinion often lags behind these realities, wrongly assuming both that crime is perpetually increasing and that youth offending is routinely violent. In fact, youth offending is predominantly nonviolent, and the 21st century has seen significant declines in youth arrests and incarceration.
Between 2000 and 2022, the number of youth held in juvenile justice facilities fell from 108,000 to 27,600: a 75% decline. But despite positive movement on important indicators, far too many youth – disproportionately youth of color – are still incarcerated.
by MOSES Publications | Mar 17, 2025 | Action Opportunities, Advocacy, Housing, Information, Newsletter, RJAC Racial Justice for All Children
By Patti LaCross
This year the Temporary Education Program leaders of MMSD and Sun Prairie Schools, in coordination with the Education+ Advocacy Group of the Homeless Services Consortium (HSC) in which I participate, expanded the annual Homeless Awareness effort to include other Dane County schools.
Here is some of what we heard that day:
- While the average US housing vacancy is 2%, Wisconsin’s is now less than ½%. Dane County has the largest housing gap in the state, already 11,000 short.
- Our driver of homelessness is not poverty so much as affordability. Milwaukee rents average $950/month for one bedroom, $1000/month for two bedrooms. Madison’s averages are $1430 for one bedroom and $1700 for two bedrooms, and rising. Wisconsin landlords aren’t held to a rent ceiling.
- This fall MMSD was serving over 800 students experiencing homelessness, with many more doubled-up, often precariously. In Sun Prairie those who renew their lease are paying $400 more per month, and shelters have a 300-person waitlist. Last year’s number of about 150 homeless students was doubling
- Outlying communities reported their first waves of homeless students, in single to double digits. With little capacity and no funding, they depend on churches to help. At least one community has developed a proactive policing policy to protect those unhoused.
Since then, on February 12 the HSC Education & Advocacy Committee endorsed a challenge by advocates to the management of the Beacon, which provides day shelter for the unhoused. They point out that access to housing navigation in that space would help guests move toward housing. The committee also raised concerns about whether Dane County’s practice of not asking or recording information about immigrant status may be challenged by the new federal administration. For more information check out the Dane County Homeless Justice Initiative.
Actions you are invited to take:
- National Low Income Housing Coalition – Regarding passage of a final fiscal
year 2025 spending bill: https://nlihc.quorum.us/campaign/81487/
Thanks for your interest and possible support! The Housing Group of the Racial Justice for All Children Taskforce welcomes you to join us on Zoom on the 3rd Tuesday of the month from 4:30 to 6pm. These are All Our Children!
by MOSES Publications | Mar 17, 2025 | Information, Newsletter, Profiles
By Ken Warren
Madison Christian Community (MCC), one of the faith communities supporting MOSES, is rather unique in the area. The church actually consists of two congregations from different denominations, Advent Lutheran of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA) and Community of Hope of the United Church of Christ (UCC). The building contains two sanctuaries where the two congregations typically have individual worship services. About 45 times a year the two congregations have the opportunity to worship together, with 10 to 12 of those being joint Sunday Morning services.The pastors are the Rev. Jen Petricca Bloesch of Community of Hope and the Rev. Nick Utphall of Advent Lutheran.
I had the opportunity to speak with the two pastors regarding the mission of the two congregations, the joint mission of MCC, and their intersection with MOSES. When asked about their knowledge of MOSES, both pastors acknowledged a general understanding of the mission of MOSES but less awareness of the specific current actions of the organization. Pastor Nick is more aware of the history of MOSES, as he has been involved for many years with criminal justice concerns through the Lutheran Office for Public Policy in Wisconsin (LOPPW). The issues and concerns of that organization overlap with those of WISDOM and MOSES. Pastor Jen, as a newer pastor in the area, is less familiar with the history of MOSES, but she is becoming more aware of some of the specific issues, as she has been researching social justice issues in Dane County for a sermon series.
Pastor Jen sees MOSES reflecting the beliefs of the UCC denomination because one of its strong principles is to honor the dignity of the individual, regardless of social, economic, or ethnic status. More specifically, in 2023 the UCC National Synod approved a resolution condemning prolonged solitary confinement as torture. Pastor Nick stresses the fact that the church is a voice for the voiceless. In 2013 the ELCA adopted a social statement that called for significant prison reform. (Click here to read the statement.) https://www.elca.org/faith/faith-and-society/social-statements/criminal-justice?_ga=2.168586020.466169373.1739233975-1457664399.1532463199
Financial support for MOSES comes through the unified body of Madison Christian Community (rather than through the individual congregations), as does much of MCC’s engagement with social issues. Both pastors see MOSES as reflecting the values and beliefs of MCC, and Pastor Nick points out that as a congregation heavily consisting of privileged white people, it is easier to give money to causes. Both pastors also point out that, besides financial support, the church has many programs directed toward the social needs of the community, and many members put their hands and minds to use for those causes, many of which overlap with MOSES’ aims. Additionally, many members are engaged in efforts for community welfare through organizations other than the church.
When asked how MOSES could best bring information and concerns to the attention of the members of MCC, Pastor Jen pointed out that on a national and state level, jail and prison advocacy is not on center stage. She suggests that some semi-regular education about prison reform issues, whether through announcements at services on Sunday morning, articles in the MCC weekly newsletter, or on the MCC webpage, would be of value. Pastor Nick caused this writer some discomfort when he stated that he was not aware that MOSES puts out a newsletter every two months. He pointed out that he gets regular emails from groups such as JustDane and will scan them for pertinent articles. It is obviously not effective to just place a couple of copies of the newsletter in the community area of the church, since its availability must be publicized. Pastor Nick also suggested presenting a “MOSES Fact of the Month” to the church.
Both Pastors Nick and Jen point out that the ideological orientation of MCC fits very well with the mission of MOSES. Pastor Jen says that she never fears repercussions from the congregation if she delivers a sermon on social concerns. Pastor Nick commented that he feels he preaches less on political issues than when he was at a previous church. At MCC, everyone is kind of on the same page. He suggested that a sermon should motivate us to think theologically (and act) about social concerns, and not just pat ourselves on the back for how right our political perspective is. Pastor Jen says that the important work is to turn that ideological orientation into meaningful action. MOSES can help in that way by letting the congregation know about specific actions our organization is taking and encouraging participation.
by Margaret Irwin | Mar 17, 2025 | Information, Life After Prison, Newsletter, Prisons, Profiles
By Margaret Irwin
Growing up in a troubled home, Jessica Jacobs had to deal with a lot of problems; and as she puts it, the problems get passed down from one generation to the next. Jessica appreciates her mother, who did the best she could to take care of the family, mostly as a single mom. Nevertheless, Jessica had her first child at 14. She was fostered by a friend of the family when her mom wasn’t able to take care of her. Jessica started working full time and had to drop out of school very early. By the age of 16 she was emancipated and living in her own apartment.
She was locked up for the first time for a DUI when she was 17. For Jessica, the probation system in Wisconsin seemed to be set up to keep her incarcerated. She was caught up in a cycle, she says; “every dumb decision” landed her back in jail. She didn’t realize it at the time, but she was suffering from PTSD and used alcohol and drugs to self-medicate. Continued substance abuse eventually led her to prison in her 20’s. What she needed was treatment, not incarceration. She overdosed twice in an attempt to end her suffering. The response of the carceral system, when this young woman was near death, was to charge her for having drugs in her system. She readily admitted she had taken the drugs, but no drugs were found in her possession. Her mental health was further impaired due to assaults by prison officers.
In prison Jessica found the programming was of mixed value. Some of it was okay, but other programs she labels “treacherous.” “They want you to become a robot,” she says. In any case, these programs didn’t help her break free from addiction, which she so badly wanted and needed. She found an additional barrier to healing in transitional housing arrangements that were often not healthy and safe.
Jessica’s desperate search for help eventually led her to discover she was suffering from PTSD. She hadn’t understood that she was having a mental health crisis when her life would spiral out of control. She had to learn what PTSD does to you; she had to learn to recognize what was happening and to use techniques to deal with the crisis.
As she healed, Jessica became determined to make changes for people inside prison, as well as when they are released. She began her educational journey with the Odyssey program. From there she graduated from Madison College, and now she is a student at the UW. She plans to declare a double major in social welfare and anthropology. Every step of the way, she has been encouraged by mentors to take the next step.
Another form of learning was Jessica’s introduction to advocacy groups – first FREE, and then MOSES and WISDOM. She attended trainings; she learned about the JSRI and Conditions of Confinement task forces; she met supportive people like Peggy West-Schroder, James Morgan, and Rachel Kincade. Last year Peggy told her to apply for the position of organizer of FREE Madison, and she got the job!
FREE works to support both women in prison and those formerly incarcerated. Jessica helps FREE work toward their goals, which include a prison doula program, Health Care for All, Unchained Wisconsin (legislation to prohibit shackling of pregnant women in prison), Housing Not Handcuffs (dignified housing as a human right), and Circles of Support for women involved in the carceral system. Jessica currently leads a Circle of Support in the Dane County juvenile detention center. She feels called to work with girls who are in trouble because she has been there herself. She finds joy in the way the girls connect with her immediately when she tells her story.
In her journey of transformation from troubled young person to free, strong, and mature contributing citizen, Jessica has “gone with the flow,” letting her higher power guide her. Her career goal is to teach, either in an alternative high school or in prison. She would love to work in Odyssey Beyond Bars. Outside of work, her greatest source of joy is her sons, as she watches them become successful young men.
Last December Jessica was one of the honorees at the MOSES Transformation Celebration. Her message to MOSES is one of thanks for our support, work, and commitment. “You have such empathy and compassion to do this work,” she says, “even though you haven’t directly experienced these things.”
