Praying with and for the work of The Prison Fellowship

In the Spring 2020 pamphlet from the Prison Fellowship - IN:SIGHT… I read…

Prayer is the foundation of the work of the Prison Fellowship. It is more important now than ever. Will you pray along with us for our prisons in this time of crisis?

The April Prayer Diary can be downloaded HERE for your use…

and the May edition which comes out soon can be registered for HERE.

Prison Fellowship says: “Men and women across England and Wales are committed to praying regularly for their local prison and for everyone connected with them. We've created our monthly Prayer Diary to guide you as you pray for our prisons.”

(photo courtesy of Jack Sharp at Unsplash)

The Prison Fellowship Prayer for today

Thursday 30th April: We proclaim that God is faithful, no matter what is happening around us in our lives, our communities and in prison. What does it look like for you to trust that that is true today?

And today we especially bring to God in prayer the following prison…

• HMP Winchester,

• HMP/YOI Woodhill,

• HMP/YOI Wormwood Scrubs,

• HMP & YOI Wymott.

“But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love;

for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble.”

Psalm 59:16

The May edition of the Prayer Diary, which comes out soon, can be registered for HERE.

(photo courtesy of Melissa, a 15 year old Gateway College student)

Letter Link - The Prison Fellowship

In the Spring 2020 pamphlet from the Prison Fellowship - IN:SIGHT… I read…

At this time, when all social visits have stopped, the letter writing ministry of the Prison Fellowship is more important than ever. They are working with Chaplaincies to see how they can expand this programme and are offering online training to support current volunteers. To find out more about how to get involved, to make a donation or keep up to date with news from the Prison Fellowship, click HERE.

“My volunteer has been there for me through some tough times.

When I was down and thought of taking my own life,

it was the letters of encouragement that kept me strong.

There needs to be more people like this in the world.” – Letter Link participant

(photo courtesy of Alvaro Serrano at Unsplash)

Pray with us for the AGM of The Welcome Directory

Meetings have changed quite a bit in recent weeks, but steering groups and management committees are still maintaining contact with each other when they can, albeit remotely and online. The AGM for The Welcome Directory is taking place on 29th April. In these unprecedented times, the ways organisations can deliver their services and support their clients are also changing, so we hope and pray that the AGM can discuss and plan a positive way forward together.

Please join with us as we pray for all the

partners of The Welcome Directory,

the AGM participants,

for those they seek to serve, on release from prison,

and for the faith groups who offer a place of welcome.

You can sign up for their newsletter and find out more about registering your faith community to support prisoners on release HERE.

The Welcome Directory: ‘Helping faith communities welcome people who are leaving prison.’

(photo courtesy of Karly Santiago at Unsplash)

A letter of support and encouragement for our prison chaplains... and us all

A letter to update and encourage prison chaplains from Revd Bob Wilson,

Secretary for Prison Chaplaincy and Free Churches Faith Adviser

Revd Bob writes: “You will all have heard by now that communal worship, meditation and study in prisons are to be cancelled with immediate effect.  I can assure you that the decision was made very carefully and is, as far as I know an unprecedented one. It was made with the purpose of safety and care and is in line with what is happening in the community… …The situation does I think present us with what will be a ‘new normal’ for some time and our wisdom as to how we continue to be church and to serve one another safely and with confidence will truly be a challenge to us in the days to come. But we do continue to rely on our Lord who is the source and provider of our strength.”

The full letter was sent to Free Church prison chaplains in late March. Even if you are not directly involved in prison chaplaincy, I think the letter is a great encouragement for us all in how we can continue to serve God and serve the most vulnerable in these challenging and unprecedented times. I am grateful to Revd Bob for writing and sharing the letter with us.

Blessings to you all, and God’s strength be with you.

Sara Iles, FCG Media Support Officer

(photo courtesy of Jeremy Yap at Unsplash)