Prison Ministry Update November 2011
‘When I was in prison, you visited me’, says Jesus The CORE prison ministry team has been growing as we train for and await the opportunity of bringing our services to other prisons in the Dublin area. There are now seven of us actively involved in the Sunday service at Arbour Hill while some are also visiting individual prisoners for pastoral care. Craig Cooney celebrates Holy Communion in Arbour Hill on the last Friday of each month. Last time eight people attended and we expect this to grow. The Sunday service is more like a home group (not a cell group) who meet in the Chapel . There are around 12 men in our group with around 8 attending each week. We are currently studying Luke and each week a prisoner makes a presentation on a chosen psalm. Worship music is provided by one talented member and two others are learning to play the guitar and are willing to lead worship in time.Christmas Carol Service
Our Christmas Carol Service will be on Friday December 16th at 4.30pm. This is a wonderful annual event with a worship team from CORE teaming with the Prison Choir to bless around 70 prisoners who attend. The service is followed by a reception with soft drinks and lots of savories and cakes.
This event gives members of CORE an opportunity to see inside the prison, fellowship with the inmates and develop relationships. This year we wish to invite people who might consider being an occasional visitor to a chosen prisoner who may never otherwise receive visits. Even writing a letter or taking an occasional phone call can make a huge difference to such a prisoner.
So if you wish to attend the Carol service this year please let Amy Carey or Philip Larragy know before December 10th.
Football
Our Saturday football game in Arbour Hill has been inactive for some months now, but we hear Mick Goss is recruiting a new team. Interested in some challenging exercise? – see Mick!
Prisons Week
If nothing else please pray for prisoners. This month we highlight Prisons Week (November 20th – 26th) as a time for reflection, prayer and commitment to making change in our attitude to our prison population. Please pray each day during Prisons week but also ask yourself whether there is one thing that you as an individual can do to assist prisoners, their families, and victims of offenders, prison staff and all those who care.
For information and prayer guidelines please visit http://www.prisonsweek.org
Why visit prison?
People in prison are often struggling to come to terms with both their lack of liberty and the circumstances that brought about their imprisonment. Some prisoners feel as if the doors to the outside world have been slammed behind them and that society wants the key thrown away.
Remember those in prison, as if you were their fellow prisoners.
Hebrews 13:2
We visit Arbour Hill prison with the hope of sharing God’s love with everyone we come in contact with and to encourage those who have faith.
What happens?
Sunday Mornings
A team from CORE go in every Sunday morning from 10am to 12noon to meet with a group of prisoners and worship, study the bible and pray with them.
Football
Roughly every three weeks a group goes into the prison on Saturday to play 5-a-side football against the prisoners. The matches are very competitive – especially if we start winning!
Christmas & Easter
Every Christmas and Easter we hold a joint service along with the Catholic chaplain. This has changed many prisoners perception of what we are about as a church and has been a great opportunity to have fun.
What have we seen happen?
Since we have been visiting Arbour Hill prison, we have seen many lives changed and men come to know Jesus. We have seen reconciliation between prisoners and their families, the beginning or deepening of many men’s faith and the impact that has in their lives. We have also supported prisoners upon their release, as they try to rebuild their lives and live out their faith.
What can you do?
There are four areas where you can be involved:
- Being committed to come in regularly on Sunday mornings and building relationships with the prisoners.
- Playing football against the prisoners on Saturday afternoons.
- Being part of the worship groups going in at Christmas and Easter
- Pray for us
Prayer Points:
- For the group on Sunday mornings to see more of God working in the group and in particular the healing and freedom only Jesus can bring to people’s lives.
- For more prisoners to come to the Sunday meetings, particularly for those who are interested but are scared of their friends’ comments.
- For further openings, both spiritual and otherwise, to build contact with prisoners.
- For those who have or are going to come out, for God’s protection as they try to readjust to society.
- For protection and wisdom for the group who visit.
Contact:
If you’d like more information please .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).