Will you join us to pray alongside Prison Fellowship this Sunday

Will you join us to pray alongside Prison Fellowship this Sunday and in the days ahead?

For over 40 years, they have been working with, supporting and praying with and for prisoners across England and Wales.

The Free Churches Group and our work in prison chaplaincy have worked with The Prison Fellowship (PF) for many years.

On 24th January- for this Sunday

“Let us pray…

Pray for Chaplaincy departments that are recruiting new Chaplains this month.

Ask God that He would bring the right people to the roles.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer

Amen ”

(photo courtesy of Diana Simumpande at Unsplash

JOIN US IN PRAYING WITH PRISON FELLOWSHIP this Sunday and in the weeks ahead

Will you join us to pray alongside Prison Fellowship this Sunday and in the days ahead?

For over 40 years, they have been working with, supporting and praying with and for prisoners across England and Wales.

The Free Churches Group and our work in prison chaplaincy have worked with The Prison Fellowship (PF) for many years.

This Sunday, we are encouraged to pray with Prison Fellowship for all of those preparing for and listening in to the National Prison Radio … With so many of our prisoners restricted to their cells for most of the day, this service is so vital.

Prison Fellowship has put together a service airing on National Prison Radio today.

Please pray that it would bring comfort and encouragement to those listening.

Amen

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayers…

Find out more about their work HERE. You can read and pray through their January Prayer Diary.

“to show Christ’s love to prisoners by coming alongside them and supporting them”

— Prison Fellowship’s mission

Photo courtesy of Matt Botsford of Horizon Christian Fellowship at Unsplash)

Prison Fellowship - prayer diary for this month...

The Prison Fellowship Prayer Diary for this month is out now!

Will you join us to show Christ’s love for prisoners by coming alongside them and supporting them in prayer? Take a moment each day to pray with us as we pray for prisoners…

(photo courtesy of Aaron Burden at Unsplash)

Hidden sentences: the voices of prisoners' families...

Hidden sentence is a phrase sometimes used by those whose relatives are serving time in prison - although it is a member of their family who is serving the actual prison sentence, many say they also feel that they are serving a sentence too - a hidden sentence.

Our very own Rev Bob Wilson (FCG Secretary for prison chaplaincy and Free Churches Faith Adviser) had the opportunity to attend The Sir Harold Hood Memorial Lecture which covered a varied and thought provoking programme of materials. One of the most poignant and important aspects of this Lecture was the premiere of a brand new film ‘Hidden Sentences: Voices of Prisoners’ Families’, created for Prison Advice Care Trust (Pact) by Martin Freeth.

“The Lecture and series of events were really encouraging and the film - Hidden Sentences - was particularly inspiring”

— Rev Bob, Wilson, Free Churches Faith Adviser

You can find out more about the vital and life changing work that Pact undertake with prisoners and their families here:

The Prison Advice and Care Trust (Pact) is a national charity that provides support to prisoners, people with convictions, and their families. They support people to make a fresh start, and minimise the harm that can be caused by imprisonment to people who have committed offences, to families and to communities.

What they do:

• Build stronger families and safer communities.

• Reduce risk of harm to prisoners and their children.

• Remove barriers and increase awareness in public services.

• Influence commissioning, policy and legislation.

It's a warm welcome to two new team members to the Welcome Directory!

Things have been busy for The Welcome Directory lately! As well as recently recruiting a new project manager, Emily Green, we are pleased to announce there are two new team members to help in the work and mission of The Welcome Directory. The new staff are Rev James Seager and Serena Bailey. Here’s a little bit of background about them and what their roles entail.

James is The Welcome Directory's new Regional Lead. James joins the team with over 18 years of Church leadership experience and also currently works part time as a Free Church Chaplain at HMP Hull. He is currently studying for a Masters in Applied Theology and has held a number of different roles in the charity sector. His focus as Regional Lead will be to increase engagement with The Welcome Directory at local prison establishments regionally as well as raising awareness and encouraging registration amongst faith communities, especially those faiths not yet fully represented in the directory!

Serena is due to join The Welcome Directory as the new Communications & Fundraising Officer. Serena also currently works part time with ShelterBox, a humanitarian relief organisation, in the Partnerships Team and holds a BA in International Development with Spanish. She has spent a number of years working and volunteering in the development and charity sectors, and also has experience in developing donor reports and monitoring and evaluation. Serena's focus will be to increase awareness of the work of The Welcome Directory and seeking out funding opportunities!

On behalf of the Free Churches Group, we extend a warm welcome to you both and wish you all the best in your new roles!

They along with the other team members with the patrons and trustees (who pictured below) will be working to fulfill the mission and vision of The Welcome Directory : a simple yet powerful vision: to help faith communities become places where people who leave prison find acceptance. A place to belong that not only nurtures faith but also offers appropriate practical support… a story as well as hopes and dreams for their lives beyond the prison gate.

Patrons of The Welcome Directory

Trustees of The Welcome Directory