Pastor Ready For Fifth Jail Term -- Latest Sentence Stems From Gulf War Protest

Like many ministers, Lutheran pastor Jonathan Nelson is planning a spiritual retreat, a time of solitude, prayer and proclamation.

Unlike any others, Nelson's retreat will begin next week when he presents himself to jailers to serve a 30-day sentence for failing to obey a police order during a Gulf War protest.

Jail walls are a familiar surrounding to Nelson, pastor of Central Lutheran Church of the Holy Trinity in Seattle. This is the fifth time he has spent more than one day behind bars for participating in what Nelson called in his sentencing statement "nonviolent direct action in resistance to evil."

Nelson expects to serve his time at the Island County Jail in Coupeville. If so, it will be his second extended visit to the Whidbey Island jail, where he served three weeks in 1987 after protesting the nuclear-armed Trident submarine at the Bangor base on Hood Canal.

"This is not an individual expression, but it's out of the faith and resistance community in Seattle," said Nelson, 58, in an interview in his Capitol Hill office this week. "I'm not doing this as a Lone Ranger voice but as a mouthpiece for the broader community.

"It's the strongest statement I can make: a greeting from jail," said Nelson, evoking Apostle Paul's missives from Roman prison.

Nelson's offense was refusing to leave Sen. Slade Gorton's private office in the Henry M. Jackson Federal Building Jan. 14 as part of a larger anti-war civil disobedience. He was one of 11 people sentenced earlier this month for failing to obey police orders to disperse from the office and building lobby.

Because of his prior convictions, Nelson was given the longest sentence of any protester, plus a $5 court fine. The sentencing document says the jail term is "necessary as a deterrent to defendant."

Not likely, says Rev. Dr. William Cate, former president of the Church Council of Greater Seattle and Nelson's longtime friend. Cate was arrested along with Nelson and two dozen other protesters in 1986 for entering the Bangor base.

"Jon does the things he does because he hopes the whole church would do the same thing," said Cate. "Since it won't, he leads off. He believes very strongly the church must be prepared to say no to the government."

"He's a man of great principle," said Sister Miriam Spencer, a peace activist. "He's got conviction, humanity and concern. He's not just a fly-by-night who says, `Let's go down and get arrested.' Many people put that interpretation on civil disobedience, but if they only knew what a pain it is," she said with a knowing laugh.

Spencer, 66, with the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace, was sentenced to 10 days in jail for her part in the January anti-war protest. She said Nelson's sentencing statement, read while she waited in court, demonstrated his true motives for risking arrest.

"I believe," Nelson said in his statement, "as the experience of Eastern Europeans and the people's revolution in the Soviet Union has taught us again, that it is not the force of arms, tanks or smart bombs that will bring a hope for the future. . . . War was destructive of our national interests, and the interests of all humanity."

The bespectacled and bearded preacher said his actions are in large part driven by love for the 14 children he and his wife, Juni, parent. "We want a better future for our children," said Nelson, gesturing to a family photo on the wall.

Besides three birth children, the Nelsons have adopted and been foster parents to 11 others, forming a multiracial family that ranges in ages from 11 to 37. Five youngsters, including a grandson and a daughter's fiance, still live at home.

It's the practical considerations of a month-long absence that have kept Nelson and his wife busy this past week.

"She said she'd like to have me out to do the bathrooms every week," quipped Nelson with a large laugh not soon forgotten by anyone in hearing range. "After finishing my 21-day sentence, she said to me, `Next time I get to go to jail and you can stay home.' "

Nelson has arranged for someone else to perform four weddings and preach Sunday sermons, and has made sure there's a support system in place for his family. He and Juni, who runs a day care in their Montlake home, also are figuring how to pay the bills, since Nelson will be on leave from his church.

"I take an unpaid leave so no one in the congregation feels compromised," said Nelson.

Central Lutheran took a strong anti-war stance, although not everyone was pleased with Nelson's arrest and conviction. Some say being in jail is not the model of a minister they envision, Nelson said, though they usually add that they respect his right to express his beliefs.

"The balance is tipped a little bit in favor of support for him," said Rev. Linda Larson, co-pastor who will pick up most of Nelson's duties in his absence. Larson came to Central Lutheran four years ago to serve during Nelson's jail sentence, and stayed on after he was released.

"There are some people who question what good it does, what purpose it serves," Larson said. "I'm supportive of what he did, but I haven't chosen the same style of witness Jon has."

Nelson was called to Central Lutheran about seven years ago, after serving 13 years as a pastor on the ecumenical Campus Christian Ministry staff at the University of Washington. The church has doubled in the past decade, to about 200 members.

It was difficult finding a church pastorship because of his social activism and resulting arrest record, he said. After a two-year search, including looking in Minnesota where Nelson was raised, he settled in at Central Lutheran.

Nelson plans to spend his sentence reading the Bible, the one book he knows will be in the jail library, and writing friends and family. He discourages visitors because of the extra work it poses for jail guards.

He hopes to spend his afternoons in the day room, "being open to conversations with other prisoners. There's a tremendous need for someone to stand alongside other prisoners, to write letters for them and to help with their troubles and hurts."

But, he added, "I'm not looking for salvation pelts."

Because Nelson has worked with inmates at the Washington State Reformatory at Monroe for 20 years, he said it's likely he'll know someone in jail.

"Jon is the kind of guy who ministers to the human situation wherever he is," said Cate. "The only thing of value from his being in prison is that Jon will be able to spread his own personal gospel. He will minister to the jailed and the jailors."

Nelson said he is serene about his jail time but admits he is looking forward to having it over, too. "I want to move forward, make my statement by being in jail, and then get back to work. There's a lot left to do."