Irene Cowper has been running the Prisoners of Conscience group at St Barnabas Church, Dulwich, since January 2022. For over 30 years, the group has been using Connect & Encourage to write to people who are targeted for their beliefs. Irene told us how they mobilise the whole church to get involved.
How did the Prisoners of Conscience group start?
It started in 1992 as a prayer group, but we soon got into sending cards – initially just at Christmas. Connect & Encourage has always been the principal source of addresses. We completely trust CSW because of their work in the field.
I saw a notice asking for someone to lead the group and sensed a calling to respond. I took over from Vivienne Gilliard who has been part of the group since the early years and the leader for 12 years. She deserves a special mention as the longest-standing member of the group!
What does the group do?
Around eight of us meet each quarter. I share news on different countries using summaries and videos from CSW and other charities, as well as updates on people we’ve been praying for. These are very impactful, and the group discusses what we’ve seen and heard. We also have a time of prayer, and I use the prayer diary to generate the points.
How do you get the rest of the church involved?
Before Christmas and Easter, we hold a card signing day and invite the whole congregation to get involved. I buy cards that have Bible quotes in them, but we also add messages and Bible references so that those receiving them can look up the verses in their own language. I lay out the cards on tables and display small posters to give them a flavour of who they are writing to. This is in addition to our display board which highlights a different country where there is persecution each quarter.
After the service, over tea and coffee, the congregation stops by the cards and signs as many as they can. The children also sign the cards – they know they have to do their best handwriting! Last Christmas, the congregation signed 95 cards and campaigns – we sent a card to everyone listed in C&E!
We rely on the generosity of the congregation as they make donations during the card signing – it’s usually enough to cover the postage. The congregation have been signing the cards for over 15 years!
And of course we let the church know when there is a breakthrough. When Pastor Lorenzo was freed in Cuba, we put up posters explaining his case and bought boxes of chocolates for the church to mark the occasion!
What advice would you give to someone who wants to inspire their church to help those who are suffering for their beliefs?
Have a go – what is there to lose! And start small; don’t think about sending 95 cards. If you can send just five cards, that is five people whose spirits would be lifted. Five people who are given the reassurance that God is thinking of them and that other people in the world are thinking of them too.
Write
Could you and your church to write to people who are targeted for their beliefs? You will be an encouragement to someone at a time of great need. Go to csw.org.uk/connectencourage