Healing Communities: Opportunities for churches to minister to their own who are impacted by incarceration
Churches have the opportunity to provide a healing community to those within the congregation who are impacted by crime. This "Healing Community" model is more than a "prison ministry." It is a holistic approach to ministry to offenders, ex-offenders, victims, correctional officers, children and families impacted by crime and incarceration. Click here for a one-page description of what a Healing Community is.
The Annie E. Casey Foundation have developed resources to guide those wanting to create a healing community within their own particular faith community. The Healing Community guides help to engage congregations in the restoration and healing of members of their own congregation affected by crime, incarceration and reintegration. Building a Healing Community in your congregations can lead to the transformation of hearts and minds and the building of relationships that support people. The guides are not focused on creating a program but developing a ministry of formal and informal support, volunteer service, networking and advocacy--all drawing from the belief systems and unique strengths of the faith community--acceptance, compassion, forgiveness, redemption and restoration.
The Annie E. Casey Foundation are eager for your feedback about the content of the guides as well as your use of the guides in your congregations. Please let them know what you think by emailing reentry@aecf.org
