CHURCH AND CHARITY LEADERS FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY ARE HEADING FOR PRISON - “LORD HAVE MERCY”
PRESS RELEASE
For immediate release
on behalf of Prisons Week
Registered charity no.1020920
Over 90 Church leaders are expected to congregate in HMP Pentonville to pray during Prisons Week this year.
The Rt Revd James Langstaff (Anglican Bishop to Prisons) has invited Christian leaders from across the Church to gather together with charity leaders on 10th October to pray in this, the 40th anniversary of Prisons Week.
Over four decades the Church has observed a week of prayer for those affected by imprisonment, but never before has such a diverse range of church leaders congregated inside a prison’s walls with the sole purpose of praying together.
Revd Bob Wilson, chair of the Prisons Week Committee and Free Church Advisor to NOMS said
“This event is witness to the church uniting across denominations behind the power and potential of prayer – bringing together prisoners, victims, those who work in prisons, the criminal justice system and communities; people usually separated by prison walls. Prayer knows no such barriers.”
Prisons Week is run by a broad alliance of Christian denominations and leading faith-based charities working in the criminal justice system. It motivates prayer through its resources and encourages practical engagement through the voluntary sector.
Beginning on Prisons Sunday, the week of prayer runs from 9 -15 October. Across the country, people will gather in small groups and large cathedrals to support all those affected by prison, through events and services under the collective prayer theme of ‘Lord Have Mercy’. It is the great unifying prayer of all those who have ever called to God for help and this Prisons Week, the call to prayer will extend to prisoners, their families, victims, communities and all those working in the justice system.
The event at HMP Pentonville will also include the introduction of Prison HOPE, an initiative to encourage the church to engage actively with their local prisons.
Further information and resources can be found at www.prisonsweek.org
ENDS
For more information, please contact the following representatives from the Prisons Week Committee:
Rev Bob Wilson
bob.wilson@freechurches.org.uk
020 3651 8338
Tim Rosier
tim.rosier@reflex.org
07803 888 255
Rachel Shackleton
rshackleton@spurgeons.org
07976 323502
Notes to editors
• Organisations involved include: Assemblies of God, Caring for Ex-Offenders, The Catholic Bishops Conference of England & Wales, The Church of England, Churches in Communities, Clean Sheet, Community Chaplaincy Association, Free Churches Group, Langley House Trust, The Methodist Church, Prisoner Advice and Care Trust, Prison Fellowship, Reflex, The Salvation Army, Spurgeons, Spread Creative Agency, United Christian Broadcasters and The United Reformed Church.
• BBC Radio 4 Daily Service will include prayer each day during Prisons Week.
• A short film on the theme is available here.