London: Carol Service for Pact

Pact Carol Service at Farm Street Church

What have the following got in common? The High Sheriff of Greater London, a Catholic bishop, a former heroin addict and prisoner, a woman Anglican bishop, and the Governor of a Young Offender Institution? The answer is that they all took part, together with 30 young people from the Cardinal Vaughan Memorial School, in Pact's Carol Service at Farm Street Church on Thursday 9th December.

Despite the further challenges of the pandemic which led to Pact, the Prison Advice and Care Trust, having to make the difficult decision to cancel the reception afterwards, our annual Carol Service was a powerful occasion. In fact, the socially-distanced congregation at Farm Street Church, Mayfair, was larger than that of our 2019 Carol Service. We also had a livestream audience.

Bishop Richard Moth, our Liaison Bishop for Prisons, presided at the Service. Canon Paul Douthwaite, the National Catholic Chaplain for Prisons was also present. Bishop Rachel Treweek, the Anglican Bishop for Prisons, who also sits in the House of Lords, gave a reflection. She said, 'the life stories of those caught up in the criminal justice system have usually been punctuated by places of broken relationship and separation: Doors closed within people and between people; potential left unlocked; pain and hurt kept locked within'.

Lynn Cooper, the High Sheriff of Greater London, was among our readers. We also heard from Pact staff and volunteers; Emily Thomas, Governor at HMP/YOI Isis; and people with lived experience of the criminal justice system. Monique Joseph, Pact Programme Manager at HMP Belmarsh and Isis, read from Allan Boast's Credo, 'It is not true that our hopes for liberation of humankind, of justice, of human dignity, of peace are not meant for this earth and for this history. This is true: The hour comes, and it is now...'

To ensure the voice of lived experience was heard, Lewis Gibson, a former prisoner who is now a Pact volunteer and a spoken word poet, performed a piece of his poetry. First, he spoke movingly about his life in and out of prison, being addicted to drugs, feeling that he was not a bad person yet couldn't seem to change. He spoke of the transformation that followed finding his faith at last. You can watch Lewis' electrifying poem here on Pact's You tube channel if you missed it live: https://youtu.be/_OqMVEH56ac

Everyone was given a small metal key to take home. Echoing Bishop Rachel's reflection, it was explained that the key was a symbol of our commitment to continue unlocking hearts and minds in the year ahead. Bishop Richard blessed the keys, reminding us that it is in Jesus that real transformation happens.

Pact's Chair, Phil Taylor OBE, thanked all who had helped make the evening a success. There was a huge round of applause for the Cardinal Vaughan Memorial School Sixth Form Choir, who had provided spirit-lifting contributions. Many people commented afterwards on their beautiful performance.

The Service finished with a rousing rendition of Hark the Herald Angels Sing: 'Light and life to all, He brings.'

Pact wishes you all a Happy and Holy Christmas.

We support prisoners and their families all year round. You can make a donation HERE

LINK

Pact - www.prisonadvice.org.uk

Contact Pact's Faith in Action team: parish.action@prisonadvice.org.uk

We provide the National Prisoners' Families Helpline: Freephone 0808 808 2003