Ourselves in Relationships

As children of the same Heavenly Father, Christians are called to be with some of the most marginalised and forgotten members of God's family.

Find out how Mothers' Union members are hearing that call and giving themselves in His love by serving those isolated in prisons throughout the UK.

November 16th is Prisoners Sunday, a day when congregations across Britain pray for prisoners, their families, and all those involved in the prison system. For Mothers' Union, it is an opportunity to reflect on the words written by the author of Hebrews, remember those in prison as if you were their fellow-prisoners and consider how we are responding to that challenge.

Recent government statistics indicate that 45% of prisoners lose contact with their families, and 22% of married prisoners face divorce as a direct consequence of receiving a custodial sentence. As part of our mission to provide Christian care for families, especially those whose family life has met with adversity, Mothers' Unions' calling to minister to those in prison, their families and friends, is clear.

Over 1000 of our members volunteer in 90 prisons throughout the UK and reach out to offer hope, friendship and care so some of the most isolated members of society.

The types of service offered in prisons depend on the skills and talents of individual Mothers' Union volunteers involved. Running welcome centres for visiting families, providing child-friendly play areas, running parenting courses, equipping mother and baby units, and providing counselling are just some of the ways in which members offer practical and emotional support to the UK's prisoners and their families.

Some prisoners look to Mothers' Union members to provide spiritual support and nourishment by running services and groups in conjunction with the prison chaplaincy. For example, at HMP Low Newton, Mothers' Union works extensively with the Chaplaincy to offer pastoral Christian care to women. This Christian outreach has had a lasting influence, with several coming to faith during their imprisonment.

The impact of this work and Mother's Unions' determination to relate to prisoners is clear, as one prisoner's testimony reveals:

Whatever takes place on a visit, we are all greeted by smiles, with hugs and our names are remembered.  In an environment where you often lose identity and become a number, for a person to remember you and call you by your first name is a real treat, and one which makes you feel really quite special.

By relating to prisoners as individuals and offering practical, emotional and spiritual nurture to those isolated by their circumstances, Mothers' Union members are reflecting Christ's love and bringing new hope.  In this way, through our relationships with others, Mothers' Union strives to make God's unconditional love for each member of his family known to each other and all the communities which we have the privilege to touch.