1. family and parenting

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PRISON FELLOWSHIP SINGAPORE
QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER
MINISTRY FOCUS | AT MISSION TRIP | PRISON MINISTRY CONFERENCE
VISION, MISSION
& CORE VALUES
VISION
To build a Christian community that embraces
prisoners, ex-offenders and their families
with God’s love and transformative power.
MISSION
To engage and equip the Christian community
to minister to prisoners, ex-offenders and
their families; enabling them to be a blessing
to society.
CORE VALUES
LOVE
1 Corinthians 13:4-8,
Matthew 22:37-40
UNITY
John 17:20-23
HUMILITY
Micah 6:8, Mark 10:45
INTEGRITY
Proverbs 20:7, Titus 2:7-8
STEWARDSHIP
Matthew 25:14-30;
Luke 19:12-28
Dear friends
On behalf of the Prison Fellowship Singapore (PFS)
team I would like to take this opportunity to thank you
for your faithfulness and support in 2014. I thought
that it would be timely for our donors and volunteers to
receive a summary of the key activities for 2015. It was a year of learning for me. What I found most
encouraging was the unity that was displayed by
our clients in their support for PFS. Here are some
examples: at the men’s retreat in July, our clients came
to stay with the team overnight and shared a good time of
fellowship with board members and staff. The older and
more experienced clients were mentoring the younger
ones who were just released. The children of Care Club,
together with Diamonds on the Street, supported our
60th anniversary dinner with their performance wholeheartedly. They rehearsed months in advance for the
10-minute event. Both the men’s and ladies’ support
groups spent many weekends completing the door gifts
for the dinner. A skit was also put up by the men’s aftercare clients for the volunteer and donor appreciation
events. In short, our clients are paying it forward,
stepping up, to give back to the community and blessing
PFS in meaningful ways. Another important encouragement was the increase in
the number of churches that came forward in support of
PFS. These included churches that used to support PFS
in the past and new ones. They represent the various
denominations and their support reinforces our mission
to engage and equip the Christian community. PFS has
also received positive feedback about its programmes
and events from the numerous church leaders, and
organisations such as Singapore Prison Service, Singapore
Corporation of Rehabilitative Enterprises (SCORE), The
Association of Christian Halfway Houses (Singapore) and
National Council of Churches of Singapore. All of us at PFS have been encouraged by what we
have experienced and witnessed on the ground last
year. God moved in significant ways and He showed
up in more ways than we can imagine. We truly have
much to be thankful for. There is still much work to be
done in 2015 and we will continue to put in the effort
that’s required. I thank you again for your continuous
encouragement. This means a lot to us. We look
forward to working with you this year and invite you to
drop by our office for a visit. God bless.
Christine Tan
Executive Director
ANGEL TREE
MISSION TRIP
PFS volunteers leading the families of prisoners in activities
at the Angel Tree Camp in Sabah, Malaysia. The camp was
organised in partnership with Prison Fellowship Malaysia in
December 2014.
PFS completed a successful mission trip to Prison Fellowship
Sabah (November 30 to December 5). Our team of two staff
and eight volunteers ran a five-day camp for 100 family
members and children of prisoners in Kota Kinabalu. The
trip was fully funded by donations raised by the volunteers
themselves. Feedback from volunteers and Prison Fellowship
Sabah was very encouraging. Not only were the families
blessed, our volunteers left the camp feeling just as blessed. Here are some testimonies from
volunteers who participated in
this trip:
“If we were to count, with understanding,
the number of God-arrangements in this
trip, we would find them more numerous
than the number of sand that covered the
beach we went to after the prison visit. I was
personally moved by the testimony of W.K.,
the wife of P.K., and the early missional
beginnings of their family ministry. Much
of what they went through in those years
resonated with my own family's journey
and my being is encouraged by kindred
beings who have journeyed before us and
tasted God's faithfulness and provision.”
- Felicia
“His Favour, His Love, His Grace, His
Mercy, His Faithfulness, etc. kept
flowing even before we reached KK
till the day we depart from there. The
Lord has poured His favour upon us,
provided a nice environment for us
to sleep in so that we can minister
to the families in the effective mode. The spiritual climate of the team
changed and suddenly the whole
team became so united with one
heart and with one mind. “
- Eileen
“I would say that this trip had been such
a blessing for me and I was pondering
what God has done in Malaysia. It was an
awesome blessing for me. This was my
journey to the deeper things of God. It
was a miracle that God provided for all
our expenses and tickets, because I
had been longing to minister in a prison
ministry and it came to pass that all our
ticket and expenses were covered. “
– Gideon
MINISTRY
FOCUS
How You
Can Help
PRAYERS
IN-CARE
•
In 2014, 1,100 inmates attended our weekly in-prison Bible
studies (31 weekly sessions), chapel services (36 weekly
sessions), and one-to-one counselling.
•
Eight out of 28 inmates who attended the Christian Intensive
Religious Counselling Programme (CIRCP) renounced their
gang affiliation in 2014. •
Currently, 38 inmates are attending the CIRCP, which
started last August and will end on 8 April 2015. •
We were invited by Singapore Prison Service to conduct four
Anti-gang talks in prison.
•
813 hampers were sent to families of inmates under the
Angel Tree Project. All the hampers were distributed.
AFTER-CARE •
We greeted about 200 ex-offenders at the prison gate at the
Changi Prison, Changi Women’s Prison, Tanah Merah Prison
School and Admiralty West Prison. •
In January 2014, we started a new English class and one-toone counselling for the men’s after-care group. •
In July our after-care men’s group organised a retreat for 30
ex-offenders. Volunteers and board members also joined in
the fellowship at this event, which was held at a chalet in
Changi Village. •
The ladies’ and men’s after-care support groups made
800 crystal crosses and 800 tiled
crosses for the 60th anniversary
celebration.
•
In addition to the regular weekly
meetings for the after-care men and
ladies, the team organised dragon boat
outings and monthly social gatherings.
In addition, meals were sponsored
for our clients during the Chinese
New Year and Easter. The Lawyers
Christian Fellowship sponsored and
organised a Christmas celebration for
our After-Care clients at the Methodist
Church of Incarnation.
To do all that we need to
effectively, the PFS team,
its
beneficiaries
and
volunteers will need your
prayers.
VOLUNTEERS
We need more volunteers
who are willing to befriend
families of inmates. This
means
monthly
visits
to
their
homes
and
establishing a trusting
relationship with these
families that are often
unseen in society.
CHURCHES
We seek support from more
churches that are willing to
welcome ex-offenders as
part of their congregation.
FUNDS
We are seeking to raise
funds for our annual
budget of $1.2 million to
run our programmes on an
annual basis. In addition
to
our
programmes
mentioned above, the funds
will also go towards the
families and children of
inmates through practical
assistance schemes such
as re-skilling, life coaching,
healthcare, transportation
and housing needs.
For more information,
please visit our website at
pfs.org.sg
MINISTRY FOCUS
COMMUNITY AND CHURCHES
•
In addition to the more than 400 volunteers and 80 churches, several organisations,
schools and institutions have also partnered with us in various ways. •
New organisations that supported us included Cisco Systems, Salesforce, Kerbside
Gourmet and the Rotary Club. •
ACS (Barker Road) organised a musical in April to raise funds for PFS.
•
School of the Arts (SOTA) students worked with the Care Club children and helped
to display their artwork for our 60th anniversary celebration event.
•
Students from the College of Alice and Peter Tan (NUS) organised a carnival in
August for about 100 family members and children in our after-care and family
care ministries. •
Raffles Institution and Raffles Junior College organised a series of Reading
Programmes for Care Club in July.
•
In 2015, Anglo Chinese School (Independent) is partnering with PFS as part of its
Values-in-Action programme for students. CHAPLAINCY
Rev Lorna Khoo (Aldersgate Methodist), Rev
Chng Siew Sin (retired from Methodist Chinese
Annual Conference) and Rev Brenda Lim
(Assemblies of God) have been appointed as
PFS prison chaplains. MINISTRY FOCUS
FAMILY CARE
MONTHLY PRAYER MEETINGS
We have moved the Prison Ministry monthly
prayer meetings to the PFS office. The sessions
are open to all volunteers, board members,
donors, prison officers and prayer partners. It
will be held every first Tuesday of the month
from 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm. For more information,
please contact us at [email protected].
CALENDAR OF ACTIVITIES – 2ND Quarter 2015
Thu 2 Apr: After-Care Men’s Support Group Easter Day
Celebration
Mon 6 Apr: After-Care Women’s Support Group Easter
Celebration
•
About 90 families are part of our Angel
Tree Fund. Visitations are conducted
on a regular basis, led by Adeline and
PFS volunteers. Under the Angel Tree,
PFS provides practical and financial
assistance as well as emotional support
to these families.
•
In addition to the weekly Saturday Care
Club activities, the children and youth
were blessed with the following holiday
programmes organised during June and
December 2014:
•
June: Art Studio Workshop, movie
treat, pasta workshop, Singapore
Youth for Christ Teen Games and
the Singapore Flyer.
•
November/December:
Universal
Studios Singapore, Camp Renovate
@ Pasir Ris Bethesda Mission
Church for KayCan youths, YWCA
Baking session @ Youth Centre,
Christmas Lunch at Katong
Community Centre Hall, Wi-care
Charity Film Preview and Celebrate
Christmas in Singapore.
Tue 7 Apr: Monthly Prayer Meeting
Sun 12 Apr: Deputation: Solomon's Porch
Wed 15 Apr, Sat 18 Apr, Wed 22 Apr and Sat 25 Apr
Volunteer Training : Listening for Life (4 sessions)
Fri 1 May: After-Care Men’s Support Group Birthday &
May Day Celebration
Tue 5 May: Monthly Prayer Meeting
Sat 16 May: Volunteer Training : PFS Volunteer Orientation
Wed 20 May: Volunteer Training : Preaching in Prison-Ps
Caleb Howe
Sat 30 May: Operation S.T.A.R. by NUSSU
Sun 31 May: Deputation: Church of God Evangelical
Mon 1 Jun: Care Club: Jason's A to Z of Classical Music
by SSO
Tue 2 Jun – Thu 4 Jun: Care Club: Joseph Camp
Thu 11 Jun: Care Club: Cooking by YWCA
Mon 15 Jun: After-Care Women’s Support Group
Dumpling Festival Celebration
Thu 18 Jun: Care Club: Playmax4 2015 by SYFC
Sat 20 Jun: After-Care Men’s Support Group Dumpling
Festival Celebration
Tue 23 Jun & Wed 24 Jun: Care Club: Mosaik Workshop
on Learning Financial Literacy in a Fun Way
PRISON
MINISTRY
CONFERENCE
AND 60TH
ANNIVERSARY
CELEBRATION
RESPONSE FORM
I would like to partner with PFS by:
Giving a one-time contribution of
$
.
Giving a monthly donation.
Please send me a GIRO application
form for monthly contributions.
Donating in-kind (Vouchers, Products,
Corporate Sponsorship).
Volunteering with PFS.
Praying for PFS at its prayer meetings.
The prison ministry conference in August 2014 was a
refreshing time for volunteers and churches involved
in prison work. More than 230 delegates attended,
some from overseas. PFS received positive feedback
on the relevance of the topics covered during the
event to the prison work in which churches and
volunteers are engaged.
The 60th prison ministry anniversary event was held
on 17 October. President Tony Tan Keng Yam was the
guest of honour and Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon
delivered the keynote speech. Performances from
the children of Care Club and Anglo Chinese School
(Barker Road) were part of the programme.
The
event brought together people with a heart for
prisoners, ex-offenders and their families. 600 guests
representing halfway houses, churches, business
organisations, donors and volunteers celebrated 60
years of prison ministry in Singapore that evening.
Please make cheques payable to
Prison Fellowship Singapore Ltd
If you wish to donate via electronic banking,
please credit to: DBS Current Account 025-901931-2
NAME (REV/DR/MR/MRS/MS)
CHURCH / ORGANISATION
CONTACT NUMBER
MOBILE
EMAIL ADDRESS
MAILING ADDRESS
By sending this form, I consent to PFS using and/or
disclosing my personal information to provide me
information about its activities, to contact me regarding my
interest as indicated here, and for all matters ancillary to
my participation in its activities, programmes or training.
Prison Fellowship Singapore volunteers, with
President Tony Tan Keng Yam.
PLEASE MAIL THE COMPLETED FORM TO:
PRISON FELLOWSHIP SINGAPORE LTD
PO Box 250 Tanglin Post Office
Singapore 912 409
with 600 guests who attended an evening of fellowship. The even
raised about $400,000 and it provided an inroad for PFS to continu
gain traction with new donors and churches. Seventy
Times Seven
Victim Empathy Programme
The
Victim
Empathy
Programme (VEP) is an inprison restorative justice
programme that brings
inmates and unrelated noninmate victims together for
eight sessions to talk about
crime, the harm it causes,
and how to make things
right. It gives an opportunity
for the inmates to offer
symbolic restitution to the
victims. It demonstrates
that restorative justice offers
hope to people touched by
crime.
Though based on Christian
values, VEP is not faith
promoting.
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Our IPC –registered arm, Seventy Times Seven (previously Life Ane
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has been launched in March. Seventy Times Seven will work more
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other non-­‐Christian organisations and the community
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system.
as the Victim Empathy Programme (VEP). We will also be known offering volunteer training for organisations that have an interest In March, Seventy Times
equipping their volunteers Seven started
its first
In-Care for prison work. For more information
Seventy Tknown
imes Saseven, please visit 70x7.sg. programme
the Victim
Empathy Programme (VEP). We
will also be offering volunteer
training for organisations that
have an interest in equipping their
volunteers for prison work. For
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more information about Seventy
...
Times Seven, please visit 70x7.sg.
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IS
PRISON FELLOWSHIP
SINGAPORE LTD
P.O. Box 250
Tanglin Post Office
Singapore 912 409
T (65) 6475 6136
F (65) 6475 6130
E [email protected]
VISIT OUR WEBSITE
WWW.PFS.ORG.SG
Copyright 2015.
Prison Fellowship Singapore.
All rights reserved.
MCI(P) 084/09/2014
Seventy Times Seven
launched its pilot run of VEP
on 25 March 2015.