Gifts of Grace
The Graterford Prison Project
by Don Carlin
“Why do you give gifts to prisoners who don’t deserve them?” my waitress asked me as I prepared to make my first trip to Graterford Prison to help prepare holiday packages for the inmates. Her question allowed me to share a few words about grace, about the free and undeserved gifts that God gives to all of us.
On December 6, in the rain, seven people from First Church traveled by church minibus to Graterford. We joined many other volunteers—Presbyterian, Episcopal, Mennonite and others—in the huge prison warehouse. In assembly-line fashion, we circled large, gift-laden tables again and again, filling clear plastic bags with the simple snack and toiletry items that would be given to the inmates the next day. Over 3,000 gift bags were filled, tied and packed.
The volunteers in my work area were assisted by three prison inmates who kept us motivated by their efficient manner and pleasant banter. After work, lunch was served, and I chatted at length with a Roman Catholic retiree with multiple sclerosis. Committed to spiritual prison ministry, he volunteers at Graterford twice a week and at Eagleville once a week, navigating by motorized scooter. Just observing his spirit and commitment made my day-one trip to Graterford worthwhile.
“How do you know which prisoners deserve the gifts?” a second waitress asked me on December 7 as I prepared for a return trip to Graterford. I gave another brief “testimony” about the gift of grace and the meaning of grace. On this, another rainy day, five men from church made the trip to the prison—our ultimate destination “Cellblock C".It had been some years since my last trip to visit someone in prison. I had forgotten how long the waiting can be. We waited to “get in,” and we waited and waited to “get out.” Security was tight; the waiting was long, hot and frustrating. We all rejoiced in our freedom and even the cool drizzle as we walked from the prison walls back to the church bus.
Before we were allowed into Cellblock C, we were made to wait in the chapel, but while there, I had an opportunity for conversation with Graterford’s paid Roman Catholic chaplain. This man, with both Presbyterian and Germantown connections, had wonderful stories to tell about God’s guiding hand in his life and ministry.In the brief time we were actually in the cellblock, the five of us from First Church and seven other men, with the assistance of four guards, delivered gifts cell by cell to several hundred inmates. I teamed with two Mennonite volunteers, and in the span of probably 20 minutes, the three of us gave gifts, handshakes, Christmas well wishes and “God bless you’s” to nearly 200 inmates in 100 cells. No prisoner declined our gifts or well wishes. It was a very memorable, sad and very sacred 20 minutes—along with our very efficient guard.
My Graterford experience left me very grateful for dedicated prison visitors, volunteers, chaplain and other staff. It left me grateful for Episcopal Community Services’ long commitment to this Christmas project and thankful for Larry Elliott’s and Rudy Stroh’s coordination of our own church’s involvement. Eugene Gardenhire blessed us with his safe driving under adverse conditions both days.
I thank God for the prisoners I met, however briefly, and I pray for their well-being, and for their experience of God’s grace in their lives. I pray we all accept God’s gifts of grace—even my skeptical waitresses.by Don Carlin