November - December 2010

WESTERN – CENTRAL EUROPE

Dear European colleagues in Prison Fellowship,
2010 is about to end and we are grateful to the Lord for all the developments that occurred in the
region throughout the year in your ministries. In May we gathered in Cluj for the fruitful trainings
on Aftercare, Restorative Justice and Ministry Development. In November the RLT met in
Washington where we have planned actions for next year. The highlight of the year will be the
ninth PFI World Convocation – please register online as soon as possible!- and don’t forget that we
are here to serve you in all possible ways. Let’s give thanks to the Lord for our ‘big family’ and as
Christmas is reminding us the unfailing love of Jesus, we would like to intensify our prayers. We
suggest creating a prayer poster with the pictures of every NM ED and Chairperson (to be released
next year). Please send pictures to Dominique. We also would like to encourage leaders to have a
prayer support group and in 2011 we will present a new leader in each newsletter, asking to pray
for them. All your inputs are welcome!

Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year to you, your team, your family and all those we serve!

Constantin, Hans, Tobias and Dominique

Bringing Christ to Prison in Scotland

Among its programmes in prisons, PF Scotland has just
spent a week running a ‘Christianity Explored’
programme in Barlinnie Prison, Glasgow, with Derek
Watt and Billy Paul, members of PF Scotland. It has the
same goals as Alpha course but the method is different.
4 men completed the course. One of the men said at the
end ‘it’s like my eyes have been opened!’. The group
grew in their understanding of what the Bible tells us
about Jesus. According to Billy, the sign of effectiveness

Billy, Steve, Gillian, Derek is the way that it has affected the prisoners who attended
it. The course is allowing the Gospel to tell the Gospel, in a prison-friendly way.
The group regularly meets groups of prisoners in Barlinnie, Kilmarnock and Greenock
prisons, to pray and discuss the Bible. Steve (a co-presenter of the course) shared his
testimony of becoming a Christian while in prison in order to encourage the groups that
‘’Jesus can, and does, change lives.”

More news about PF Scotland: http://www.prisonfellowshipscotland.com/4-page.html

Annual Conference of Volunteers in Portugal
PF Portugal (FIAR) convenes its
annual conference every year in a
different city of the country. In
November this year Fiar volunteers
were less numerous than last year
because the meeting was in Lisbon,
and people from the north of
Portugal, did not attend. Despite this,
it was a time of strengthening the
group motivation, testimony, spiritual
guidance, and .. good food! To see the
photos of the day, go to :
http://www.flickr.com/photos/fiar/

Restorative Justice awareness in Switzerland

Luzia Zuber, Chairperson of PF Switzerland, has followed a very fruitful training led by
ComPax, a Swiss Christian NGO, with Howard Zehr , one of the pioneers of the
Restorative Justice, as guest speaker. Zehr’s visit to Switzerland corresponded with the
publication of the German language edition of the "Little Book of Restorative Justice".
Also, Luzia reports having met with one of the participants of the seminar, a faithful
Christian attorney working in prison for youth delinquency. He has written a book whose
title in German is ‘’Restorative Justice und integrative Symbolik’’ and he lives next door to
Luzia’s! As Tobias, in his capacity of RLT member, met with the Board on December 11th,
Luzia took the decision to organise a meeting in 2011 between PF Switzerland’s Board and
ComPax in order to introduce PFI RJ programmes and hopefully start a collaboration!

Inviting a famous film Director to speak to

Spanish Prisoners

One of the outcome of the Week of Prayer is that PF Spain has

had very good contacts with the movie Director Juan Manuel
Cotelo who visited the military prison of Madrid and together
with PF Spain, led a debate with prisoners:
On December 17 the film ''La Ultima Cima'' (the Ultimate
Summit) has been shown to 30 people in the prison. It is about
the life of a joyful and humble priest surrendering his life to
Christ- who died in 2009. The director has then spoken to the
prisoners who were much moved. PF Spain would like to show
this documentary in other prisons of the country.
 Bible Competition 2010 in Hungary
The Bible competition initiative began three years ago in a prisoner’s mind. PF Hungary
now convenes a yearly national Bible competition for prisoners during the second Sunday
of Advent – December 5th-. The number of participants has doubled in 2 years. In 2010, 1194
prisoners from 30 prisons from all over Hungary filled the workbook designed by Marton
PF Hungary ED, which has 40 questions to be answered in 80 minutes with the possibility to
use their own Bible. This year the Gospel of Matthew and the Book of Psalms have been
studied. 5 "students" have been rewarded in prison by the national commander of the Prison
Service, and the reward was an extra package, extra visit from the family, and extra talk
time for the prisoners. For PF Hungary volunteers this is a wonderful occasion to spread the
gospel.
The chaplains were very pleased with this initiative; two of them designed the questions.
All prisoners who participated received a PF Hungary written certificate about the work
completed. Marton said, « I really hope that many prisoners found the answer for their own
life with the help of the Bible ».

Writing a first Christmas letter ever - Theatre

in Targu Mures Prison -Romania
As part of the work with juveniles from this prison, PF Romania has presented the "At
Rubbish Carts” drama at Christmas. The actors are 15 juveniles out of the 46 who recently
completed 6 months training on how to write and read. Constantin considers it as the
highlight blessing of the year for PF Romania. Cornelia, his wife, is the team leader in all
preparations. Since October, 3 times per week her team has travelled to the prison located
120 km far from Cluj Napoca, in order to lead the rehearsals. For the first time the juveniles
are capable of writing letters home to their parents and wives for Christmas!

The happiness of these young people is the best reward: "One year ago we have been
forgotten, despised, neglected. Now we can read and write and do drama. What a change in
our life for Christmas!" said one of the juveniles.
New focus on Angel Tree in Norway
‘Under the leadership of PF Norway’s new board member Elisabeth Vinje-Andersen a
project group has been formed to plan introducing Angel Tree as a sizable service to the
most vulnerable victims of crime, the children of the imprisoned. The Angel Tree activity in
Moss prison is no longer active, since this small prison has been closed down. But that did
not end the service. A few days ago two small children here in Norway received a
surprising visit from Tove in Moss, handing out Christmas gifts on behalf of a close relative
in Australia who no longer could reach them due to incarceration in Australia. Good
international networking – and a wonderful hand of love’. Ingvald Viken.
The Newsletter of PF Norway has just been released and focuses on Angel Tree. Available
upon request at the European Secretariat of PFI. If you’re interested to look what PF
Norway website look like, go to www.oneweb.no/pfn
:

1000th Sycamore Tree programme completed in

England and Wales !
PF E&W is publicizing how they see lives transformed: PF’s
restorative justice programme Sycamore Tree achieved a milestone
on December the 14th when the 1000th programme was completed.
PF EW appeals to prisoners to sign up for STP and also for victims
and volunteers to join the team in order to develop the programme
even more: It is already in 30 prisons, for 2000 inmates per year, with
300 trained volunteers involved yearly.
Have a look on how PF E&W publicizes STP in order to attract new
volunteers: http://www.prisonfellowship.org.uk/sycamore-tree2.html
Learners during a final session of a STP course in England

1st Sycamore Tree programme in Italy !

PF Italy started in November a first STP programme in Milan-Opera Prison, one of the
highest security standard prison. 7 life-sentenced prisoners, all of them belonging to Mafia
with several murderers each, are participating in the programme that will end January 29.
These prisoners already went through some interior critical and spiritual path but the task is
still very tough and challenging. Carlo Paris said: “God decided to support us and the Holy
Spirit inspired some words and concepts that along with STP discussion material made us
cried a lot, not for laughing but for pain” . Slightly the victims participating in the
programme are being touched too.

Estonian prisoners preparing

the gifts for their children!
Avo Uprus’ daughter has started leading a version of the
Angel Tree programme for a small number of children. On
the photo included you may see small souvenirs that the
inmates learnt to create, especially hand painted /sculpted
for their children.
 PRAYER REQUESTS

• Pray for Prison Fellowship Italy as they will close the STP programme in January, ask blessings
upon the volunteers Carlo, Marcela, Daniela and the inmates, and the victims. Pray that PF Italy
leaders obtain a meeting with the chaplain general of Italian prisons too.

• Pray for PF Poland in their efforts to attract younger volunteers.

• Pray for the full recovery of Billy Gilvear the PF Guernsey Chairman and the dedicated team
which is increasing the activities and visits in prisons.

• Pray for abundant blessings in families of prisoners of Northern Ireland as they are running the
‘Christmas Hope’ programme (local version of Angel tree)

• Pray for PF Malta so that they may touch a growing number of prisoners and attract new
volunteers.

• Give thanks for PF Iceland and the new Board full of enthusiasm (see October’s issue of the
Newsletter)

• Give thanks with a grateful heart: PF Germany will open a new juvenile centre soon! (more news
in February’s issue! Don’t miss it!)

EASTERN EUROPE – CENTRAL ASIA

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Blessings to you all, to your families, and to your ministries in this joyful days of Christmas !!!
May the programs you have prepared and delivered in the prisons, your visits to families of
prisoners, or victims of crime, have warmed the hearts with God’s love for all people. Please send us
brief report on the Christmas program of your ministry ! Be sure to add some photos, that would be
great !
Looking to 2011 we would like to assure you, that PFI Secretariat will do its best to assist in
strengthening of PFI ministries in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. Your servant will do his best
to visit all the national ministries in the region, participate in Board meetings, consult and assist
with launching of new PFI programmes, and helping to promote strategically important projects
for the future development of the ministries.

Let’s remember the major event of the year to come: PFI World Convocation in Toronto ! Please be
sure to arrange your registration, so that you could be considered for a scholarship, meant to assist
your participation. PFI Secretariat has launched the registration process early, so that the visa and
other travel arrangements could be arranged on time. If you have any questions, or need help with
the registration please contact the European Secretariat in Vevey, Switzerland.

MERRY CHRISTMAS ! HAPPY NEW YEAR !!!

In Christ name, Ivan Sotirov
Angel Tree in Kazakhstan
PF Kazakhstan leadership team has been successful in reaching out to many local
churches in an effort to attract them to an expanded Angel Tree programme. The total
number of children to be reached is over 1,500. There are 45 volunteers who will be
involved in delivering packages from the parent in prison. The Christmas programme of
PF Kazakhstan includes a concert in the juvenile prison in Ust Kamenogorsk, while the
regional office in Chimkent plans Christmas visits and concerts in 9 prisons in the south of
the vast country.

PFK leaders

Good news from Bulgaria

Several good news from the ministry:
• The participants in PF Bulgaria Community Of Restoration (COR) have just finished
different courses in vocational training – 5 construction industry specializations, as
well as a course in landscaping and gardening. They will receive their diplomas as
part of PF Bulgaria Christmas programme in the prison of Vratza. Elena Yoncheva, ED
of PF Bulgaria and the team of volunteers, working in the different ministry
programmes in the prison are finishing the year with a feeling of joy in their serving
hearts to the glory of our Lord.
• PF Bulgaria marked the second
anniversary of its ‘Visitors centres’ run
by ministry volunteers in two major
prisons (the pics of the project
volunteers)
• Start of a pre-release program on basic
personal financing skills, led by
prisoners, taking part in the COR of PF
Bulgaria.

HIV/AIDS awareness in Belarus

PF Belarus is starting a HIV/AIDS awareness programme in the prisons of the country
using PFI manuals. The 17 sessions course, issued also in Russian translation by PFI
Secretariat is much appreciated by the ministry. The prison chaplains, priests of the
Orthodox church, will be the facilitators of the courses.
A fruitful visit to PF Albania
The Chairman of the Regional Leadership Team (RLT) in Europe Constantin Assavoaie
and Elena Yoncheva, RLT member, visited PF Albania Dec. 1-4, 2010. The goals of the visit
was to assist in the renewal of PF Albania Board in making it truly multi-confessional and
representative. The visit was successful and the new Board, chaired by Mrs. Sonila Dedja
includes representatives of the Orhodox and Catholic prison ministry, as well as the
Protestant prison ministry Sh.K.B.Sh, whose leader Fred Westerink assumes the position
of Executive Director of PF Albania. All the prison ministries involve will guard their
autonomy while working together to develop and apply PFI programmes.

PF Armenia developing projects

The ministry has prepared a plan for Christmas celebration in 4 large prisons in the
country. The program includes church services and concerts, visits by personalities of
cultural world and public life. The programme in the juvenile prison includes showing a
morally uplifting film with a discussion with the film director after the showing of the
movie. PF Armenia is planning as well an expanded Angel Tree project with the aim of
remaining in touch round the year with about 20 children of prisoners. The programme
will include a summer camp, visits to churches, theatres, and museums, assistance with
school and social integration, etc. Another idea of the ministry is publication in a DVD
form of examples of prison folklore. PF Armenia is seeking contributions and prayers
towards the three projects.

PRAYER REQUESTS
• Please pray for PF Albania restructuring and leadership change, so that the ministry may be
reinvigorated.
• Pray for the ambitious Angel Tree program of PF Russia led by Yan Volkov. More than
12,000 children of prisoners will be reached, so the ministry still needs to print 6,500 children
Bibles on top of the 3,500 they have already printed.
• Pray for PF Lithuania new programs – Angel Tree and Eyeglasses for prisoners.
• Pray for the Christmas program of PF Moldova in the women prison and the high security
men’s prison, as well as the volunteers Christmas visits to all the prisons in the country.
• Praise the Lord for the successful development of PF Ukraine project Reconciliation.
• Pray for PF Slovakia efforts to build relations of partnership with the new leadership of the
prison administration and the national volunteers conference in April 2011.
• Pray for Syrga Sarukieva, leader of prison ministry in the women prison, and Board member
of PF Kyrgyzstan. Her husband a supporter of the ministry died suddenly.and volunteers,
which will discuss programs for ministering to elderly and disabled prisoners and former
prisoners.

Resources
The PFI Washington Secretariat recently emailed PF World Convocation video
invitations to all national ministries. You can also view these videos on You Tube,
see links below. Feel free to send these invites out to those you think would benefit
from this special world conference.

English Invitation: http://tinyurl.com/34h4cqp

French Invitation: http://tinyurl.com/3xvlb5k
Russian Invitation: http://tinyurl.com/32xsttw
AND NOW LET’S REJOICE WITH
OUR LORD OF ALL NATIONS:
Here is “Merry Christmas” in all our
European languages represented at
PFI ! Vroolijk Kerfeest ! Kellemes karacsonyi unnepeket ! Nodlaig mhaith
chugnat ! Gleðileg Jól ! Buone Feste Natalizie, Buon Natale ! Priecigus
Ziemassvetkus ! Linksmu Kaledu, su Kaledoms ! Joyeux Noël ! Il Milied it-tajjeb !
Gledelig Jul ! Wesolych Swiat ! Boas Festas Feliz Natal ! Sarbatori vesele, un Crãciun
fericit ! Veselé Vianoce ! Fröhlichi Wiehnacht ! Chestita Koleda ! Nollaig Chridheil !
Feliz Navidad ! Roomsaid Joulu Puhi ! Iloista Joulua ou Huyvä Joulua ! Froehliche
Weihnachten! Рождеством Христовым ! Честито Рождество Христово ! Gilocavt
khriste shobas ! Shenoraavor Nor Dari yev Pari Gaghand ! Шчаслівых Калядаў і
вясёлага Новага года! Schaslyvoho Rizdva Khrystovoho

ALL YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS FOR THE NEXT EUROPE NEWSLETTER ARE MORE THAN WELCOME:
Please send them to dalexandre@pfi.org (Western Europe) or isotirov@pfi.org (for Eastern Europe
and Central Asia)

PFI Europe News is brought to you by Prison Fellowship International. Compiled and edited every other
month by Dominique Alexandre and Ivan Sotirov - PFI Europe Secretariat, Rue du Panorama 4, 1800 Vevey, Switzerland
© 2010 by Prison Fellowship International - All rights reserved - Reprints permitted with acknowledgement