On Saturday 20th November, the Mount Fortune Seventh Day Adventist Church hosted an award ceremony, which had been organised by HM Prison, to recognise the outstanding work of church volunteers who have been involved in Prison Ministry over the past forty years.
Currently, there are 13 churches actively involved in Prison Ministry, with some 80 individuals who are visiting HM Prison on a rotating monthly schedule on Sundays, and the SDA Church who visit on a weekly basis every Saturday.
During the service, Prison Chaplain, Pastor Elmead Allen, shared a number of scripture passages highlighting what the bible says about Prison Ministry:
“Prison ministry, I believe, is one of the great ministries Christ has called us as Christians to share in. The members of the prison ministry have answered the call to follow Jesus into the prisons to minister to prisoners, ex-prisoners, and their families. Because the Church is now God’s representative on earth, prison is where we should be as well, calling the sick to the healing touch of our Lord and Saviour; still recognising in them the dignity of God’s creation, no matter how far they have fallen; trusting that no one – NO ONE – is beyond Christ’s love and power to redeem.
We are here today to say a special thank you to the many Prison Ministry volunteers who, over 40 years, have been reaching out to both men and women with love, care and the transforming word of God.”
HMP’s Rehabilitation and Development Coordinator, Ms Shariffa Wallace, said:
“Faith based activities were the first type of rehabilitation to be introduced to HM Prison, and they have been the most enduring. HMP’s relationship with Prison Ministry now spans more than 40 years during which time it has continually evolved, grown and strengthened. Throughout this period, an increasing number of volunteers from our churches, and faith organisations, have made it their mission to make a difference in the lives of prisoners – people who are out of sight and often out of mind.
It is important that people who have been involved in criminal acts are given the opportunity to make better choices, exercise better judgement and make more positive and life-affirming decisions. Prison Ministry plays a significant role in enabling prisoners to do exactly that, as it aims to help them to recognise their value as worthy human beings – with the potential to achieve more than just the label of criminal.
We want to commend Anguilla’s Prison Ministry team for setting such a great example of volunteer spirit. I thank each and every volunteer for continuing to give of their time, as their support helps us, at HMP, to further meet our objective in restoring those in our care and custody to law abiding and useful lives.”
HM Prison awarded each church with a framed certificate of recognition for their contributions to Prison Ministry, whilst some eighty individuals representing all the participating churches will each receive a certificate of appreciation for their services to Prison Ministry. A certificate was also awarded posthumously to the late Mrs Audrey Rogers, who had diligently represented the Mother’s Union at St Mary’s Anglican Church until 2020.
The award ceremony culminated in the presentation of inscribed plaques to specially recognise the contribution of five individuals who have been involved in Prison Ministry for over 20 years. The recipients of these awards were as follows:-
Ms Bernice Hill of Ebenezer Methodist Church, for 24 years of service
Pastor Michael Meade of Apostolic Faith Church, for 25 years of service Pastor Albert Isaac of The Church of Christ, for 27 years of service
Mrs Janice Hodge of Ebenezer Methodist Church, for 36 years of service, and
Mr Edmead Smith of Mount Fortune Seventh Day Adventist Church, for 40 years of service.
All of the awardees were warmly congratulated for their dedication and commitment. Mr Smith addressed the congregation to express his gratitude for the recognition he had received, and he stated how much he enjoyed taking part in Prison Ministry over so many years. It is hoped that he and others will continue to bless HM Prison with their services. HM Prison also looks forward to welcoming new volunteers who may step forward in time to undertake this important role in the future.
HM Prison management also takes this opportunity to thank Pastor Howard Simon and the SDA Church members for the collaboration, warm reception and gifts that we received.
– Press Release
