Ministry to the Incarcerated
A Northern Illinois District ministry tradition since the 1930’s
The Northern Illinois District has been a Lutheran presence at the Stateville Correctional Center in Joliet for many years now. Deaconess Lori Wilbert began her work at Stateville with Rev. Robert Kramer in 1986. Both Wilbert and Kramer were following in the rich mission tradition of our Lutheran Church Missouri-Synod, bringing the hope of the gospel to those in need behind the wall.
This ministry has expanded to many areas. Over the years, it has included: ministry at three other prison facilities in the Chicago-land area, ministry to families of those incarcerated, ex-offenders, restorative justice educational forums, a teaching didactic in Correctional Chaplaincy/Restorative Justice, the Concordia University Inmate Coursework Fund, and networking with other Lutheran agencies and personnel to follow-up with individuals transferred to other prisons in the state of Illinois.
Many of the congregations in the NID have had access to prisons through the work of the chaplains assigned to Stateville over the years; they include many congregations in our district who have been able to funnel Bibles, Bible studies, devotional materials and books to address the needs of the incarcerated population. Congregations realize that those behind the wall cannot come to us, we must go to them.
About Lori Wilbert
Lori Wilbert graduated from Concordia University, River Forest, IL as a Lutheran Deaconess. Her first call was to two churches on Chicago's south side. Her work included parish hospital visitation, teaching catechism and conducting Bible studies for young people and adults, as well as counseling. She later worked for the Northern Illinois District Office in correctional chaplaincy and nursing home chaplaincy. She served a legislative liaison in Illinois state government regarding issues of homelessness, prison reform, and welfare reform. She has served Sheridan Correctional Center, Kankakee Minimum Security Unit, and Illinois Youth Center. Presently she serves at Stateville Correctional Center. She is currently working on an MA in Spirituality and Pastoral Theology. |
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