wfn.org | Two Presbyterians to Receive Restorative Justice Award

[PCUSA.NEWS@pcusa.org]

22-April-1998 
98141 
    Two Presbyterians to Receive Restorative Justice Award 
 
    by Jerry L. Van Marter 
 
LOUISVILLE, Ky.-For the first time in its seven-year history, the 
Presbyterian Church's Restorative Justice Award will be given to two 
Presbyterians. 
 
    The awards will be presented June 18 during the 210th General Assembly 
(1998) in Charlotte to John A. Pickens of Atlanta and the Rev. Mable 
Rasmussen of Fairbanks, Alaska. 
 
    According to the Rev. Kathy Lancaster, associate for criminal justice 
in the National Ministries Division here, "the principle of restorative 
justice is addressing the hurts and needs of the victim, the offender, and 
the community in such a way that all - victim, offender, and community - 
might be healed." 
 
    Pickens, an attorney in Atlanta, is the founder of the Georgia Justice 
Project, which since 1986 has represented more than 1,100 poor and homeless 
residents of Atlanta.  The project provides direct services, including 
legal representation and rehabilitative counseling. 
 
    Pickens, a lifelong Presbyterian, is an active member of Central 
Presbyterian Church in Atlanta. 
 
    Rasmussen, 89, has been a full-time volunteer corrections chaplain for 
more than 15 years.  During that time she has provided direct ministry to 
more than 250 prisoners at the Fairbanks Correctional Center and 
coordinated more than 200 volunteers through Hospitality House, which was 
founded in 1957 by Rasmussen and her late husband, Harry. 
 
    She is a member of the Presbytery of the Yukon and is part of First 
Presbyterian Church of Fairbanks. 

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