Prison

“Hope this letter finds you in the best of health and spirits.” Books requested by an inmate have been carefully packaged for shipping by Books to Prisons volunteers in Birmingham, Ala. Photo by Lilla Marigza, UM News.

Ministry sends Books to Prisons

Unique ministry promotes literacy and spreads joy, one book at a time.

An African Libation service is performed in honor of the late Marcellus Williams during the final day of the biennial National Summit on Mass Incarceration and Social Justice on Oct. 5 in Kansas City, Mo. Williams was put to death on Sept. 24 in the state, while questions about his murder conviction persisted. From left to right are the Rev. Samantha Nyachoto, pastor of Grace United Methodist Church in Dover, N.J.; the Rev. Kevin Kosh Jr., director and strategist of Strengthening the Black Church for the 21st Century’s National Network of Young Adults; and Nathaniel Callaway, founder of Ebony Excellence. Photo by Jim Patterson, UM News.

Summit spotlights mass incarceration, redemption

Amid gripping tales from a variety of speakers at the National Summit on Mass Incarceration, the top executive of Strengthening the Black Church for the 21st Century shared how he is personally affected by the justice system.

Faith Stories

More than 35 years ago, Cecelia Whitfield founded a transportation ministry to enable family members to visit their incarcerated loved ones. A United Methodist, Whitfield has helped 100,000 people visit relatives in dozens of Indiana prisons. Photo by Ichigo121212, courtesy of Pixabay; graphic by Laurens Glass, UM News.

Prison visits help inmates, families

Cecelia Whitfield was devastated when her son went to prison for armed robbery, but she rallied quickly and founded a ministry that has transported family members to visit their incarcerated loved ones for more than 35 years.

Mission and Ministry

The Rev. Caleb Mbaz (left), coordinator of the Disaster Management Office for the South Congo Episcopal Area, carries a box containing vegetable oil for inmates at Kasapa Central Prison near Lubumbashi, Congo. Joining him are Disaster Management team members Kasongo Kilundu Olivier and Louise Tshiwengo. The United Methodist Church in Southern Congo distributed more than 16 tons of food and other supplies to the prison with support from the United Methodist Committee on Relief. Photo by Christian Kasweka, UM News.

Church helps feed prisoners in Congo

With support from UMCOR, United Methodists in Southern Congo provided food and other supplies to inmates at a Kasapa prison. Church leaders also brought a message of hope.

Sign up for our newsletter!

Subscribe Now