Mince pies for those behind bars

For several years, Norwich Open Christmas has delivered at least a hundred mince pies to one of the Norwich Prison Chaplains for consumption by prisoners and guests at Carol Services and other events held at Norwich Prison over the Christmas period.

For security reasons, the mince pies have to come from a traceable source and can not be homemade. They are delivered in the original sealed manufacturer's cartons a few days before Christmas and are sourced through our usual food supplier.

Our contact, Chaplain Terry Baxter(shown left) has spent the last 16 years behind bars ministering at Norwich Prison and is retiring from the role at the end of this month.

He looks back at his experiences in the Christmas 2009 edition of Good News for Norwich & Norwich and writes:

In my work as a Chaplain, I have for many years been able to offer a listening ear to many prisoners who have experienced difficulties in their individual lives. There are numerous reasons why it is necessary for people to spend time in prison following some criminal or unlawful activity. It may be because of drug or alcohol abuse or an act of violence.

But in my opinion no-one is too bad to be saved or is beyond the power of God's grace.

The encounter between Jesus and that greedy tax collector, Zacchaeus, is a prime example. When Zacchaeus pays back with interest the money he has cheated people out of, Jesus said to him: "Today salvation has come to this house."

However, many of the problems and worries that accompany those who are sent to prison are often to do with the breakdown of relationships at an individual level.

Most problems that we have in life will indeed stem from a difficulty in relationships and Christian workers and chaplains do need to apply the ministry of compassion in their day-to-day dealings with people.

The important thing is that one day each of us will have to answer to a Higher Power.

The essence of the Christian faith is that those who repent of their wrongdoing and entrust themselves to Jesus Christ will receive God's compassion and forgiveness and not His judgment.

We wish Terry and his wife, Gill a happy retirement and look forward to continuing our contact with the Chaplaincy team at Norwich prison

Quote and photograph from Good News for Norwich & Norwich with acknowledgement