At the risk of sounding like the worst sort of materialist … Christmas, New Year, Epiphany have gone and Lent is almost upon us! The writer of Ecclesiastes says “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens” (Ecc 3:1), but it sometimes feels as if there is never quite enough time for anything! Those of us who work in prison too find that even where one would imagine that there is plenty of time in a prison sentence to make the changes, and explore life’s challenges, that the ticking of the clock is unstoppable, and daily priorities sometimes overtake the need to prioritise addressing the big picture. As a Chaplain I find it important that indeed I make every contact count, as it is often the little things, the word spoken in season, that makes the biggest difference. In keeping an eye on the big picture, the priorities of the daily duties do seem to make more sense.
The Bible Course
Which is why I am particularly encouraged that the Bible Society are putting together a prisons specific edition of “The Bible Course” to help those residing in our prisons to step back and, over eight weeks consider the wide sweep of the Bible. In seeing the big picture presented by the Bible in its various contexts I believe that we are best able to make sense of the day to day, the current decisions, the call for the moment. Prisoners have occasionally asked me over the years to talk them through the Bible and how it all fits together. I have found that The Bible Course resource does this really well in a way that makes sense to those new to faith, well established in their faith, and I have even heard of those without faith finding it helpful in understanding what Christians believe. Therefore it is really exciting to, along with the Catholic and Anglican faith advisors to the Prison Service, be recommending “The Bible Course” as the Lent Course for Prison Chaplains to use. The course is set over 8 weeks (rather than the six of Lent) and it is suggested therefore that prisons may wish to start a couple of weeks early, or run into the weeks covering Acts, the Epistles and Revelation after Easter. The course is being made available to all prisons in England and Wales free of charge, and chaplains who wish to make the most of this should contact Chris Auckland at The Bible Society as soon as possible to register your interest (Chris.Auckland@biblesociety.org.uk ). There will soon be a dedicated page on The Bible Society website for you to access all the resources that you need.
While the writer of Ecclesiastes suggested that there is a time for everything, the apostle Paul in writing to the Colossians encourages us to go one step further and indeed make the most of every opportunity (Col 4:5). One of the great joys and challenges of Prison Chaplaincy is that every day is different. Each day has its own surprises, interesting events and tragedies. As we move past Christmas, New Year and Epiphany towards the year ahead, let us not be overwhelmed that time does not stop, but let us take up the challenge to see the biggest picture and make the most of every opportunity that God gives us to follow his call.
Bob Wilson
Secretary for Free Church Prisons Chaplaincy