Prison Ministries Across our NC Conference

1. Prison Ministries Across our NC Conference Draft as of Jan 12, 2013

2. NC Conference SupportFor Prison Ministries • Criminal Justice and Mercy Ministry Team (CJAMM) • 14 Members across All 8 districts ready to assist you in this ministry • Gateway District representative (s) • Ms Ronda Deese(Appointed ) • Leslie Womack (At Large) • Resources Available • Speakers Bureau - Available for presentations to congregations/teams) • WEB Info / Library - Located at https://nccumc.org/cjamm/ • Assigned resource person - Ready with ideas , suggestions and connections to help you • Get started • Expand

3. Prison Facilities in the Gateway District • Hoke Correctional Institution (500) Minimum Custody • Lumberton Correctional Institution (700) Medium Custody • Morrison Correctional Institution (800) Medium Custody • Robeson Correctional Center (300) Minimum Custody • Scotland Correctional Institution (1700) Min/Med/Close Custody • Cumberland Regional Juvenile Detention Center • Richmond Juvenile Detention Center

4. What types prison ministries are there? • In the prison: • DISCIPLE - Adult Bible Study • Epiphany - Youth • Kairos -Adult Emaus • RINGS of Fellowship - Youth Bible Study • Yokefellows - Adult Small Grp Listening • Outside the prison • Reentry ministries • MATCH Women/Mother in Raleigh • Sponsorship Minimum Security Take Out

5. DISCIPLE Bible Study In the prison • A team of 2-3 people facilitate a DISCIPLE class in the prison for 34 weeks typically taking a break for the Christmas and New Year’s holidays. • You usually have a small class of 10-12 inmates. • These inmates are typically hand chosen by the Chaplain. • The class takes 2 hours. You can expect to be at the prison 2 ½ hours in order to set up the class and get processed through security.

6. Ephiphany In the prison • Epiphany is an ecumenical Christian ministry for young men and women who are in the custody of a Juvenile Justice Facility. • The weekend models on which it is based are: Kairos Prison Ministry, Cursillo, Walk to Emmaus, Chrysalis, Happening and Cross. • The purpose is to manifest God’s love to incarcerated youth, known as “Stars” through a three-day short course in Christianity and an ongoing follow-up program. • Each Epiphany weekend involves a team of adults and youth from the Christian community who work together to show the love of God to those attending.

7. Kairos In the prison • The purpose of Kairos is to build strong Christian communities inside prison walls. • It begins with a three-day short course in Christianity and continues with small share and prayer groups among the residents of the institution. These groups meet weekly to share their lives on a deep spiritual level and to pray for each other, their families, and the other inmates and staff of the prison. • Cookies are distributed among the residents and staff during the three-day weekend. Cookies are a tangible and vital expression of Christ's love and witness from the Christian community. • It begins with a three-day short course in Christianity put on by a team of lay and clergy from outside of the institution. It is followed by monthly reunions which are a time of sharing, instruction, worship and fellowship. This is a time of renewal and strengthening for inmates and team members.

8. RINGS of Fellowship In the prison • Following after DISCIPLE, RINGS of Fellowship is written for incarcerated youth. • RINGS is designed to reach teens in an innovative format that promotes spiritual growth and positive peer dynamics. • RINGS stands for Responsibility, Invitation, Neighbors, God and Service and teaches the Biblical themes of love for God and love for neighbor.  • How many weeks?! How much time?!

9. Yokefellow Prison Ministry In the prison • Volunteers (All Christian Faiths) in a weekly setting with inmates of all faiths in small table discussion groups. Volunteer act as a facilitator/monitors and in a co-ed fashion • Table groups range in size 3-6 people. You and another volunteer paired with 2-3-4 inmates. • You are there to listen and encourage inmates and to build a solid friendship with them via Christian witness Week to week you may be with different inmates. • They may ask any questions that they wish. They always have a serious need to be heard • The total time you can expect to be at the prison is 1 ½ hours and Yokefellow training is required

10. Outside the prison • Pen Pal / Greeting Cards (Messages of Hope) • Angel Tree ( via Prison Fellowship) Christmas gifts for Kids of inmates • Inmate sponsorship for brief visits outside the prison (Minimum Security Prisons Only) • Reentry support and services • This area is perhaps the most overlooked yet most needed !

11. Reentry • Transitioning from prison to our communities is a daunting challenge... • . . . Which many offenders are ill-equipped to tackle. • Needs • A safe place to live • A good job • A loving mentor • Healthy relationships • A changed heart • A welcoming church • Freedom from addiction • Healed relationships with family and friends • Access to medical and mental health services • Restored citizenship rights

12. Consequences • Theconsequences of a criminal background are substantial for ex-offenders who receive no pardon… • …making successful reentry is difficult even for people with proven character.

13. Consequences • Personal Guilt by Association • Employment • Housing • Welfare Benefits • Voting Rights

14. Other Ways to be ENCOURAGERS Read/ReRead scripture related to this ministry - Matthew 25:35-36 . . I was in prison and you came to visit me. - Hebrews 13:3: Remember those in prison as though you were in prison with them. • Notice the first word is a remember. • The only way to re-member is to have had a first memory – a first knowing – a first experience. Pray and support our volunteers and the organizations which they represent

15. Victims of Crime • Crime harms people… …it should be our goal to help victims harmed by crime.