churches together in Southwell

Prison Fellowship

Prison Fellowship was started in the USA in the 1970s. The British organization has its headquarters at Maldon in Essex. Prison Fellowship is made up of small groups of Christian Volunteers around the country, supporting local prisons, working under the guidance of the prison Chaplain.

Our local prison is Lowdham Grange, Nottinghamshire, where the Chaplain is the Revd Chris Knight. We meet monthly in members’ homes and sometimes at the prison.

Our work with Prison Fellowship has mainly four areas:

Prayer
This is the most important aspect of our ministry, and covers all that we do.

Sycamore Tree
This is a restorative justice course based on the story of Zacchaeus in the Bible. The course brings to the prisoners an awareness of their victims and their needs, the importance of accepting responsibility, and the value of forgiveness and reconciliation. This is a five-week course, when both victims and members of the community are welcomed into the prison.

Angel Tree
Each Christmas we send gifts to prisoners’ children, as from their Fathers. There is also, if the prisoner is willing, an opportunity to send a Christian book with the gift. The Churches in Southwell are very generous to this cause, which enables the children to feel that they have not been forgotten.

Letter Writing
Many prisoners do not have contact with their families, and so receiving a letter is very important. Prison Fellowship gives guidelines and help to those wanting to be a letter-writer.

Prison Fellowship has been at Lowdham Grange for nine years, and it is wonderful to witness the change in a prisoner’s life following an encounter with Jesus Christ. We welcome new members to our group. If you would like more information, please contact Marjorie Adams.