Offering Hope Through Prison Ministry

Cathedral of Hope UCC practices what they preach.

In 2018 the Cathedral, which is located in Oklahoma City, began an LGBTQ+ affirming ministry in the Oklahoma prison system. What started with a quarterly worship service at James Crabtree Prison in Helena, Oklahoma has expanded to a second location at Joseph Harp Prison in Lexington.

The church is committed to this ministry which supports LGBTQ+ inmates. According to Just Detention International, LGBT inmates are “among the most vulnerable in the prison population.” Amnesty International maintains records of known incidents in which LGBTQ+ prisoners (and those perceived to be) have suffered torture, ill-treatment, and violence at the hands of fellow inmates as well as prison officials.

Cathedral of Hope’s pastor, the Rev. Kayla Bonewell, was looking forward to offering Holy Week services this year, but the events had to be cancelled due to the prison being on lockdown during Ash Wednesday and Maundy Thursday. The ministry was able to reconnect with inmates at the fourth Sunday of Easter. At that service, Kayla officiated a worship service that began with the imposition of ashes, included a washing of hands ritual, a Good Friday recitation, and an Easter Sunday celebration - all in one service!

Kayla writes, “It was such a joy to travel through the 40+ days of Lent plus Easter with our beloveds who are incarcerated. We imposed ashes on their foreheads and they imposed ashes on ours.  We washed their hands and they washed ours.  We served the congregants communion and they offered it back and served us.”

We’re grateful for the work of Cathedral of Hope, its pastor, and the wonderful members of the congregation that helped to make this a memorable experience for everyone able to attend. We look forward to hearing more about the work they will continue to do.