As many of you know, our church member and leader Kathy Williams works as a paralegal with men in the prison system. In the midst of impossible conditions and hard, hard things—Kathy has discovered another place to share the love of Jesus. Included in our opening installation for West Medford Open Studios in the Gallery @ Sanctuary UCC, Kathy brought this ship and wrote a bit about the gifts she has received from one of her clients.
Lynwode Paquette has been incarcerated for most of his life at the Massachusetts Treatment Center. When his therapist suggested he join the art program to alleviate his anxiety, Lynwode began building boats. He has since built countless boats, large and small, based on drawings and photographs from a book. Whenever possible, he gives them away to others. Many of his boats are on display at the offices of his attorneys, the Committee for Public Counsel Services. This clipper ship, the HMS KATHY, was a gift to his paralegal, Kathy Williams, who is a member of Sanctuary UCC. Kathy considers this boat to be priceless and it is NOT FOR SALE.
Mr. Paquette does not have art material available to him in prison and makes the boats out of prison garbage including Styrofoam trays and paper. The ropes are made of strings he removes from his blanket. The only part of the boat Lynwode has to purchase is tape, which he buys in canteen with the money he earns in his prison job. Lynwode earns $1 a day for doing cleaning chores.
We here at Sanctuary UCC do not believe that God makes garbage. All things and all people have value. We are hopeful that Lynwode’s trial in 2018 will be successful and he can continue to make boats to share with the world.
To date, Lynwode has never been on a boat and hopes to do so in 2018.
Mr. Paquette would appreciate your prayers and correspondence:
Lynwode Paquette
Massachusetts Treatment Center, 30 Administration Road, Bridgewater, MA 02324
