| Prison Ministry |
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The Prison Ministry is multifaceted. Much of our prison work has been connected with the near-by Bedford Hills Correctional Facility for women. Church members have donated snacks, stationery, personal articles such as socks or other items requested by the Hospital Chaplain to be distributed as holiday gifts to the prison hospital patients. During the summer the prison operates a visitation program wherein children may participate in activities and visit with their mothers for 5-day sessions. Some of our Church families support this program by opening their homes to these children and transporting them to and from the prison for the daytime program. Still other members volunteer as tutors, mentors or leaders of rehabilitation activities.
At Christmas, the Church School children and members of the congregation select names of children of incarcerated parents. Presents are purchased according to gender and ages of the children and the tagged, wrapped gifts go to the homes where these children live. We believe strongly in the importance of education for rehabilitation and we support programs which foster education both in prison and upon release, as well as programs which facilitate re-entry into society. We have provided leadership and/or financial support for various organizations such as: the arts education program at Sing Sing, College Connections at Taconic, Hudson Link for Higher Education in Prison, Embrace A Brother, and the Exodus Transitional Community. |
