Prison Ministry

St. John’s takes seriously the call to “seek and serve Christ in all persons” and to “respect the dignity of every living person.” Parishioners volunteer as literacy tutors at the Ulster County Jail, leading creative writing groups on a weekly basis. The rector serves as a jail chaplain and both the rector and deacon are involved in re-entry programs for those recently released from correctional facilities. As a regional deacon for jail and prison ministry, the deacon educates and facilitates lay involvement with our brothers and sisters behind bars. St. John’s is an active participant in “For Whom The Bell Tolls,” a nationwide initiative that encourages parishes to toll their bells and offer prayers for those being executed and for the victims. As part of the Death Row Support Project, the deacon corresponds with a death row inmate and brings the needs and concerns of those on death row to the parish and beyond. Through ourPrayers of the People and our growing involvement in prison ministry, those incarcerated are never forgotten.

As one of the incarcerated young men wrote: “the world needs more people to be listening ears, and caring/supporting hearts; for you never know when the role may be reversed and that the person in prison may be a blessing unto you. How will you ever know unless you take that first step and reach out…”

We invite all to join us in reaching out to our neighbors behind bars.