The power of fellowship | Peter Harlock
One of the many privileges of my involvement as Chair of the Board of Trustees with Prison Fellowship is also witnessing first hand the transformative power of our ministry in my local prison where I serve as a Volunteer Chaplain.
In the past week, I have seen PF Volunteers in action in many ways: I have led a Sunday service with six PF colleagues; an inmate told me how much he valued the weekly bereavement support he receives from a trained PF Volunteer; I worked with eight other Volunteers on a session of Sycamore Tree where the Managing Chaplain told me the Deputy Governor always prioritises the final week of the course so that they can personally hand out certificates. You get my drift! Every week, I see PF’s ministry in action through amazing Volunteers and I hear the positive responses from the Chaplaincy team and other prison staff.
Here, as in many other prisons across England and Wales, the need for PF’s services in support of Chaplaincy teams is higher than ever before. Our long-established programmes, together with those born during the Covid pandemic and most recently our Pastoral Care initiative are reaching more people in prison with hope, redemption and restoration than ever.
During the last year, PF Volunteers have run more Sycamore Tree courses in more prisons than ever before! This last Christmas, more than 5,000 children received an Angel Tree present from their parent in prison; our Letter Link writers are connected with over 450 men and women in 95 prisons who seek relationship; our weekly Bible Studies notes are used and distributed by chaplaincy teams in prisons across England and Wales; over 1,100 people in prison have called Prayer Line; our new Pastoral Care programme is growing strongly and highly valued by Chaplaincies; and countless other individuals in prison have been supported in some way by one of or volunteers or programmes.
I want to thank you on behalf of the Trustees for the part that you are personally playing in God’s ministry of love through PF in England and Wales. Together, we reflect God’s light of hope and healing onto individuals, families, and communities affected by prison. Whether you pray, donate your time or your well-earned income to support those whom we serve, you are a vital part of the transformation happening in our prisons and the body of Christ serving together in PF.
As demand for our programmes increases, so does the need for more Volunteers to run and facilitate them.
If you are reading this and wondering if volunteering in prison is for you, why not join one of our online Exploring Prison Ministry events and discover how your skills can be used supporting some of the most vulnerable people in our society. In this issue of In:sight, there are many examples of the roles that Prison Fellowship Volunteers can undertake. Maybe one of them is a good fit for your skills and talents in this particular season of your life?
And, if volunteering is not for you right now, everyone involved in this ministry – Volunteers, Supporters, our Support Team, the Board and of course people in prison – requires prayerful backing. If you are not already receiving our Prayer Diary each month, I would encourage you to do so. Simply visit prisonfellowship.org.uk/subscribe
Thank you for your continued support and may God bless us all abundantly in this ministry.
Peter Harlock is the Chair of the Prison Fellowship Board of Trustees.
This article was first published in our quarterly magazine in:sight. You can sign up to receive our free magazine by post or via email by visiting prisonfellowship.org.uk/subscribe
