Can you imagine a unique experience, with the power to uplift spirits and engender hope for our broken society, occurring in a prison visit? That happened to me when I acted on PHOENIX RISING Transitions’ invitation to come to the Columbia River Correctional Institution (CRCI) to be a part of “An Evening of Relational Meetings w/ MACG Leaders.”

Who was there? From the "inside" was the Inner Core Team (the men that planned the event and sent the invitation), nine of whom lead us through a carefully planned agenda, doing it so well and with such ease that it was a clear indication that they had completed a Leadership Institute. Through relational meetings these men had also engaged others whom they invited to attend to see what PHOENIX was about. A noteworthy fact: all "insiders" were choosing to devote these three hours, the only leisure of their day, to this occasion. From the "outside" were we six visitors.

All of us had three Relational Meetings. During my first one I soon felt not only at ease but also nourished and moved as I listened to my partner. He candidly gave an account of his past in the outside world and then of the transforming new understanding of himself and what really counts in life. Different as our past lives had been, we were utterly in sync on what counts!

Next came a story, told in plenary, by a man only 12 hours from being released. Again I was moved, especially by his recognition of the importance of having the same supporting relationships on the outside as he had developed inside through the work of PHOENIX.

Two more Relational Meetings and shared reflection in groups reinforced further the uplift I felt from the first one. Again I met men each of whom had seriously reflected on his life, grasped who he was and had laid plans for being outside.

A doubting skeptic might say that I have been reacting too positively to mere hopes and dreams of these men, especially after only one visit. My answer: Yes, I heard of hopes and dreams. But I also saw ample evidence of more. These men are in a new, vital subculture that regularly nourishes them. They are becoming leaders (indeed, some already are). They see where they failed, where society is broken, (thanks to PHOENIX and its IAF fueled training) how they can participate in the repair, and the sense of meaning to one’s life that arises when working for the common good. Finally and importantly, on their release they intend to be a part of an already existing outside relational subculture, one also developed by PHOENIX.

Attending PHOENIX’s Leadership Class did uplift my spirits and engender hope for our society! It did so because I was participating in an inside culture in which I watched hope being nourished and personal
transformations occurring.

Stan Aschenbrenner, Leader
Lake Oswego United Methodist Church