Former female inmates from Massachusetts are receiving a little extra help this holiday season, thanks to St. John’s Episcopal Church of Ashfield, according to the Christian Post.
The congregation started a ministry called “Love in a Backpack” that supplies former inmates with three bags of items packed into a backpack. One bag contains personal care items and toiletries; another, food and water; and a third, a Bible and a hand-written note of encouragement.
“We have experienced the joy of doing God’s work through our hands, serving the women most in need during a fragile and scary transition time,” said Mary Link, who helps lead the ministry. “Several other churches and groups have partnered with us each year, helping us increase the number of backpacks we can pull together to provide for the women. Some partners just collect packs or toiletries, others fill three or more whole packs.”
Women who are released from prison have little to live from. “She has the clothes on her back and a small stipend for transportation,” according to the ministry’s website.
A number of school bags back packs leaning against a brick wall with lockers blurred in the background. School yard, playground, high school eduicational facility. No students
Women from the Western Massachusetts Regional Women’s Correctional Center in Chicopee and the Franklin County House of Correction in Greenfield have benefitted from the backpacks. They’ve expressed gratitude for the ministry’s kindness, particularly for the hand-written note.
“With each pack, we include a cover letter and a handwritten note card that lets them know that although we may never meet, our small parish is praying for them and wishing them success, along with the practical items we hope are helpful,” Link said. “Of the women who write thank you notes to us, they share how much that note, the prayers, and faith we have in them means to them.”
Because the church has seen such a great need, they will hold a conference in March to address the issue of former inmates transitioning to a new life.
“Part of our goal,” Link said, “is to increase awareness, compassion, and inspire others to take action as we have—either partnering with us on backpacks or finding their own callings.” Christian Headline News
For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. Matthew 25:35-40
