Bringing Light and Hope into Dark Places

By Val Hymes

Those who have discerned that they are called to prison ministry, who take the Eucharist, Bible study and prayer behind bars, are responding to our Lord’s words, “When I was in prison, you visited me…”

Some may not feel called to visit prisoners inside. Yet they may want to do something; to somehow bring light and hope into the dark places for those who despair, and to show God’s love to them, their families, their children, their victims and those who guard them.

Did our Lord also mean for us to visit the issues of justice and peace? To speak out, to rally, petition and testify? Are we troubled by the fact that most children of inmate parents will repeat the problems and go to prison too? We can:

• Sign up for MEPPN (the Maryland Episcopal Public Policy Network) or EPPN (the Episcopal Public Policy Network) to keep abreast of legislative issues.

• Join an organizations on the Web site of the Prison Ministry Task Force.

• Serve on the staff or assist Camp Amazing Grace for children of inmates.
• Recognize a Prison Ministry Sunday in Epiphany or Lent at your church.
• Join the Prison Ministry Task Force and the Prison Ministry Network for news briefs.
• Volunteer to be a mentor, or to teach resume writing and job interview skills to ex-offenders.
• Train to be an Alternatives to Violence facilitator, avpusa.org.
• Volunteer for Kairos prison ministries inside and outside prisons.

• Donate yarn, books and CDs for knitting and reading programs.
• Write to prisoners who have no families, using church addresses.
• Donate refreshments to corrections officers working on holidays.

For other ideas, visit the Resources and Programs page on this site. Contact the warden, chaplain or volunteer activities coordinator at local detention centers and state prisons.

Reprinted from the Winter Issue of the Maryland Church News.

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