Prison ministry extends beyond walls

Supporters of Open Circle, Mennonite Central Committee Manitoba’s (MCCM) prison visitation program, launched a new community integration initiative June 4. The Community Integration Program will continue the ministry of Open Circle outside prison walls.

Open Circle volunteers have demonstrated Christ’s love by visiting those in Manitoba’s prisons for 32 years. With the launch of this new program, the friendships built between volunteers and inmates can continue and deepen after their sentences have been served. Those recently released also have a community of support to turn to as they adjust to a new life.

(l–r) Murray Barkman, Open Circle’s coordinator, Bonnie Warkentin, and Rob Warkentin, Open Circle volunteer.

The program means a shift in responsibilities. Murray Barkman assumes the role of community integration coordinator and Don Collins steps into the prison visitation coordinator position formerly held by Barkman.

Musician Jim Motherall, a participant in Open Circle’s new program, and Mike Gantner, an inmate currently being visited, performed original songs from their CD and led the crowd in a sing-along. Rob Warkentin, an Open Circle volunteer, shared his testimony and his own experience of trouble with the law, emphasizing that, “God doesn’t care about that ink in our skin, the colour of our skin. He cares about our hearts.”

Speaker Alf Bell, a former prison chaplain, reflected on justice, peace, covenant and blessing, all words that need to be intentionally used and lived out, “in order to bring healing to an offender and his community.”

Open Circle works toward restorative justice by developing relationships between volunteer visitors and those in prison. To learn more about Open Circle, visit MCC Manitoba.

—MCC release