Issue 3, January 2008
 

In this edition:

  • 3,200 Children Receive Presents from the Angel Tree

  • Corrections Volunteer Policy Moves to Next Stage

  • National Directors of Prison Fellowship and Prison Chaplaincy seek Accord

  • Ken Gartner – Sharing about Prison Ministry

  • Prison Fellowship seeks new National Director

3,200 children receive presents from the Angel Tree
 

Over Christmas, 3,200 children received gifts in the name of their imprisoned parent, through the Angel Tree program. While Prison Fellowship coordinates the program, it is very much a combined effort", said Kim Workman, National Director, Prison Fellowship. "Prison chaplains, Christian volunteers, churches, ministry and social service organisations come together to purchase, wrap and deliver presents to the children of prisoners."

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Corrections Volunteer Policy Taking Shape
 

On 7 December 2007, David Major of the Chaplaincy Service, Lyanne Kerr of PARS, and Kim Workman, Prison Fellowship, met with departmental officials to discuss the Corrections Volunteer Policy.  At the outset, Brendan Anstiss, Manager, Business Development made the following key statements.   

 

1.     The department recognizes that it doesn’t “own” volunteers.  That has been made clear in the Volunteer Policy Statement. 

 

2.     The department recognizes the value of voluntary organisations, and their pivotal place in supporting and developing volunteers. 

 

3.     The department supports the formation of a Prison Volunteering Steering/Advisory Group, comprising representatives from the Department, volunteer organisations and other key stakeholder groups, to ensure that the revised policy and operating standards are subject to continuing review and scrutiny. 

 

The inaugural meeting of the Prison Volunteering Steering Group will be held within the next six weeks, and will be chaired by Phil McCarthy, General Manager, Rehabilitation and Reintegration. 

New National Director, Prison Chaplaincy

Service seeks Accord with Prison Fellowship
 
 

David Major, recently appointed as the National Director, Prison Chaplaincy Service Aotearoa New Zealand, brings to the position, a formidable list of previous achievements. 

Initially trained as a school teacher,  David taught in Auckland and Papua New guinea, before training as a Salvation Army Officer. 

 

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Ken Gartner – Sharing Prison Ministry with the Churches
 

Ken Gartner is a quiet, unassuming guy, who  has for many years now, been a regular prison visitor to Wellington Prison.  An ex-prisoner, Ken and his beautiful wife Anne, have the “common touch”.  In their gentle but authoritative way, they bring the scriptures to prisoners with a message of hope, delivered in an encouraging and uplifting way.  His gospel songs with guitar accompaniment, are always well received – his message has changed the lives of many. 

 

Read more

 

You can support Ken in his ministry by:

 

·         Purchasing a copy of Dying to Live, which costs $29.95. It helps defray costs of his ministry as he travels around the country telling people how God can transform prisoners and give them true courage and strength to survive prisons

 

·         Inviting Ken to speak at your church

 

You can contact Ken at kgartner@paradise.net.nz

 
 
Prison Fellowship seeks new National Director   
 
 

The search is on for a National Director, Prison Fellowship.  As Kim Workman  explains, “Over the last seven years of ministry, we have been blessed with unprecedented growth.  Last year, I discussed with the Board the importance of keeping that momentum going.  I needed to pass the baton on to a younger person, who could run the race with energy, renewed vision and direction.   We are going to spend the next few months advertising for a person who will continue the race, and bring a new range of skills and expertise to bear.”

 

Kim will continue as a Board member of Prison Fellowship, and contribute to the Ministry.   But he does not intend to stop working.  “I would like to continue in the area of Justice Reform, and there is at least one book that I have to write.  I hope to do some project work in the area of criminal justice policy - so I will be putting myself out for hire.  Longer term, Kim has his eye on theological study, and taking up jazz piano again.  He confesses that his singing is beyond redemption”.

 

Anyone who is interested in the position, should seek a job description and information pack from Michelle Stone, at michelle.stone@pfnz.org.nz, or phone her at 0800 777 887. 

 
 

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