Stories from the Underground
the ghosts of warrants past: a christmas story / december 2021
[Edwin] decided to check out a local church, all on his own. He found more friends and mentors there. He cut his boys' hair to look sharp on Sunday mornings. For the first time in his life, a future for himself and his family was opening up.
But there was one big problem: since fleeing California ten years ago, Edwin knew he had a warrant out there for his arrest. Any contact with police, even a speeding ticket, meant getting shipped back to California. He'd lose his son, his family, his dreams. So he always kept his head down, avoided driving freeways, turned down good-paying jobs or family travel. He was still legally "underground." A fugitive from the past.
But now, surrounded by pastors, lawyers, coaches, business owners, fellow parents and many more trusted members of the community, Edwin had confidence to face this old legal shadow hanging over his story.
Baptisms, Tattoo Removal, & Felony Records / September 2021
I first learned to fish at our salmon-rich Skagit River about ten years ago, thanks to a homie fresh out of jail. This summer I got to step into those same waters to baptize over ten men, some of their kids, and even the new wife of one of our leaders.
It's a joy to hold the nervous grips of men I first prayed with in the jail, many of whom were facing life, and now receive them into the cold current of the river.
This Was Always Me
/ August 2021
This is a brief crash-course of what we pray for in the One Parish One Prisoner journey. Many towns have a smattering of social services and post-carceral resources. Dan was needing something more than that.