Outreach to Prisons

Christian Science Committee for Institutional Work in Texas

 

He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Ps. 23

The function of this Committee is to bring the healing message of Christian Science to individuals confined in public or private institutions or facilities, and who are therefore unable to avail themselves of the activities of Christian Science churches and societies, their services, and their Reading Rooms.

Prison and institutional work:

Click the image to find out more about Christian Science prison and institutional work.

 

Committee Reports:

Click to view the 2022 Mid-Year Texas Institutional Committee Report

Click to view the 2021 Year End Texas Institutional Committee Report

Click to view the 2021 Mid-Year Texas Institutional Committee Report

Click to view the 2020 Year End Texas Institutional Committee Report

Click to view the 2020 Mid-Year Texas Institutional Committee Report

Click to view the 2019 Mid-Year Texas Institutional Committee Report

Click to view the 2018 Year-End Texas Institutional Committee Report

Click to view the 2017 Mid-Year Texas Institutional Committee Report

Click to view the 2016 Year-End Texas Institutional Committee Report

Click to view the 2016 Houston Zone Annual Report

The work of the Texas Institutional Committee consists of:

  1. Providing information on Christian Science in one-to-one contacts.
  2. Holding Christian Science services.
  3. Providing Christian Science treatment for individuals who request it.
  4. Furnishing Christian Science books and literature, including the Bible.
  5. Arranging Christian Science lectures.

Information and support this Committee  provides:

The Executive Secretary answers letters from inmates, manages the subscriptions to the Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Sentinel,  and myBibleLesson mailings, and provides training for pen pals/mentor volunteers.  The office is also available to help coordinate requested visits and books.

The Committee is in contact with individuals in 95 facilities throughout the state encompassing federal, state, and county jurisdictions!

  • There are three federal facilities, one female and two male.
  • Four county jail facilities Dallas, Harris, El Paso, and Bexar counties have church services and/or chaplain visits.
  • 3 Nursing Homes
  • 1 Juvenile Center
  • 1 Drug Treatment Center
  • 1 Wounded Warrior Facility
  • There are currently 76 male and 12 female state facilities with inmates receiving the weekly Bible Lesson.
    • The Coffield Unit in Tennessee Colony has 77 recipients.
    • The Michael Unit in Tennessee Colony has 35 recipients.
    • Clements Unit in the Amarillo area has 18 recipients.
    • Allred Unit in the Wichita Falls area has 12 recipients.
    • The Gatesville area – Crain 12, Mt. View 5, Murray 5, Hughes 7 recipients.
    • The Waco area female facilities – Marlin 11 and Hobby 7 recipients. .
    • The Huntsville area facilities – Ellis 6, Estelle 12, Estes 5, Walls 9 recipients.

How can you get involved?

Requirement:

You must have taken the two-week Christian Science class instruction course from a certified Christian Science Teacher.

What is needed?

  1. Volunteer Mentors: 
    A Mentor writes letters to an assigned inmate.  These correspondences are to help and support the inmate in their study of Christian Science.
  3. Volunteer Chaplains: 
    A volunteer Chaplain may conduct Christian Science Services in the institution, assist another Chaplain in conducting these services, or visit inmates one on one.

The number of guys and gals at the facilities is fluid, changing weekly. 

  1. Coffield 77
  2. Michael 31
  3. Clements 26
  4. Allred 6
  5. Darrington 5 – Houston Zone
  6. Polunsky 13 – Houston Zone
  7. Ramsey 12 – Houston Zone
  8. Robertson 13
  9. Smith 10
  10. Stiles 20 – Houston Zone
  11. Wynne 11 – Houston Zone
  12. Connally -11
  13. Lewis – 7
  14. McConnell -11
  15. Marlin 0
  16. Hobby 4
  17. Crain 2
  18. Mt. View 1
  19. Murray 10
  20. Hughes 17
  21. Ellis 7 – Houston Zone
  22. Estelle 29 – Houston Zone
  23. Estes 0
  24. Walls 9 – Houston Zone
  25. Telford 7
  26. Terrell 9 – Houston Zone

For More information contact:

A local Christian Science Church’s Institutional Committee Chairman
          -or-
Elizabeth Arnett
Executive Secretary Christian Science Committee for Institutional Work in Texas
P.O. Box 1181
Haslet, TX  76052

817-996-2285
elizarnett@att.net

Donate to the Texas Intuitional Committee

To make a secure online donation to support this work by clicking the Donate button below.  Thank-you!

 

 

“May the great Shepherd that “tempers the wind to the shorn lamb,” and binds up the wounds of bleeding hearts, just comfort, encourage, and bless all who mourn. Father, we thank Thee that Thy light and Thy love reach earth, open the prison to them that are bound, console the innocent, and throw wide the gates of heaven.”

Mary Baker Eddy, Miscellaneous Writings, p. 275