The Nazareth Way

As a church we have been involved with prison ministry in many varied ways for a number of years now. One way we have done this is by supporting HMP Send, helping to run courses on restorative justice and faith, and a group of musicians going in faithfully each month to lead the musical worship in the chapel on Sunday. The chaplain Rev. Lesley Mason talked with me about one way they help those at Send, a charity which they created and which we now support as one of our mission partners. Here’s what’s been happening with the Nazareth Way over the past year. Lesley writes: It’s been a challenging year for everyone but especially if you are in prison, more time in your room and little connection with the other women.

• We have supplemented our Chapel library regularly with new Christian books, DVDs and CDs which are in demand, as women spend so much time on their own in their rooms

• We have bought and supplied (and had gifts) of puzzle books, colouring materials, craft supplies, wool and such like, to all the women in the prison, for in-cell activity

• We have converted our Managing your Money course to an in-cell workbook and paid for one of our chaplains to work extra hours to deliver it

We have continued to make Nazareth Way grants to women who have no support from their families and to those leaving prison with no support outside. The latter continues to be an issue with women leaving prison, especially with the practical fact that benefit claims cannot be processed until they go to a job centre outside.

At Christmas we always give women extra phone credit for ringing home and a Christmas goody bag. This year we hope to be able to spend more and to include an extra supply of craft materials to use during the Christmas/New Year period, when we would normally have a programme of social activities, which currently we assume won’t be possible. So, thank you for your continued prayers and support for The Nazareth Way and all of our prison ministry.