Prison ministry to light luminaries on Valentine's Day

For the Davidson Prison Ministry (DPM), love in action will be their main goal this upcoming Valentine’s Day. On February 14, from 6pm-7pm, the collective will host a luminary event on the grounds of Davidson Correctional Center, a minimum security prison, located in Lexington at 1400 Thomason St. A flyer for the event states the purpose is to “support and encourage the men incarcerated at Davidson Correctional who thirst to know they are still valued in the eyes of God.”

According to Executive Director Cathy Robertson, DPM was started over 36 years ago.

“The state contacted a group of local ministers in Davidson County and asked them to provide a community-funded Chaplain for the campus. We have faithfully funded a Chaplain for all these many years. The Chaplain coordinates all the religious services, counseling, volunteers, and religious programs for the prison. It should be noted the Chaplain serves all the inmates regardless of their religious affiliation or lack of religious belief.”

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the nonprofit has been closed to visitors for two years. Robertson shared that during this time, there haven’t been any “programs, visitations or volunteers.” Since they’re unable to visit, the ministry crafted a way to actively display God’s love towards them.

“It will be an overwhelming display of kindness and support for the offenders as they will watch from the prison yard. In addition to the luminary display, there will also be a short program of music presented by former inmates of the camp. The event will also be the first fundraiser the ministry has hosted in two years and the success of the event in part allows us to continue our services to the men.”

The event is being held outside on the grounds of the prison and social distancing and masks will be encouraged. The suggested donation to purchase a luminary is $25 and can be done on the DPM website http://www.davidsonpm.org/donate.html or by mail to PO BOX 2131. Checks should be marked "luminary." Luminaries may also be purchased on the day of the event, while supplies last- cash or check only prior to the event.