Make a difference for one returning citizen

Image credit: Iowa Medical and Classification Center at Oakdale from the Des Moines Register, 2015

Fred is a Zion person - not yet a member officially but absolutely someone who found a welcome among us and who calls Zion home. Fred is in prison right now and has been for about a year. A handful of other Zion people have been writing to him, and he's been writing to us. Fred may be released before Christmas. Please pray!

A "returning citizen" is someone who is leaving prison and transitioning into life on the outside. And like all returning citizens, Fred needs support. There are many, many barriers. Specifically, Fred asked for clothing. When he went to prison, he lost everything. But you might be able to help!

This is what Fred needs:

• size 36/30 jeans
• size 2XL shirts
• size 10 shoes

If you have clothing to share, bring it to the office. I'll keep it in my office closet until he is released.

Not all of us can help Fred with clothing. That's okay. Take a moment more to get to know Fred by reading below my letter to the Iowa Board of Parole. Pray for him, his release, and his recovery. Look forward with me to his baptism.

In any and all of these ways, and many more, you meet the hidden Jesus who will say:

"Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world, for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me" (Matthew 25).

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August 28, 2025

Dear Parole Board,

This letter is written in support of Fred Thomas #1094473.

Fred has been a part of Zion Lutheran Church since May 2024. The church building is located in the neighborhood of the halfway house he was living in, after he was released from prison. One Sunday in early May 2024, he found his way to Zion and participated in worship. From then, until he reoffended and returned to prison, Fred attended worship faithfully. He was quite shy at first, but in time he became known and loved by many Zion people. He moved into “Second Chance Housing,” owned and operated by a Zion member. Another Zion member was helping him find a job. We keep up active correspondence with him in prison now: Fred with myself and at least four others.

From my first visit with Fred, he was honest and forthcoming about his drug addiction and recovery journey and his time in prison. I experience him as a gentle soul. He spoke about his mother and how important she was to him. She got sick with cancer while he was in prison and that was a turning point, when he decided to get clean. He wanted her to see him doing right. He wanted to do right for himself too. She died before he was released and missing her funeral remains a great regret of his life.

Fred felt welcomed at Zion. We strive to be people who forgive, who know nobody’s perfect. And I think Fred responded to that. A significant part of my correspondence with him since he returned to prison has been about baptism. Fred has never been baptized but now very much wants to be. To feel his sins forever washed away and the Holy Spirit supporting him in changing his life. He and I made a deal that his first Sunday out of prison and back at Zion, he’ll be baptized. This hope is sustaining him.

Everyone’s addicted to something; that’s what sin is. For Fred, that includes meth and alcohol. Everyone’s journey of recovery and redemption is the same—steps forward, steps backward. It’s not about willpower. Jesus himself said, “The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.” A loving and supportive community isn’t magic. It didn’t stop Fred from reoffending. But now and when Fred is released—and hopefully you will see fit to grant him parole sooner than later—he has a loving and supportive church community and a pastor who’s itching for a baptism.

Peace to you, and wisdom and compassion in your decision-making,

Pastor Clark Olson-Smith