Angel Tree

Angel Tree is a ministry of Prison Fellowship. For over 20 seasons, through Angel Tree, children of prison inmates have been able to receive Christmas gifts from their parents, who would otherwise have no means of sending them. First UMC receives the names of about 12 children from 5 families in the local area. We provide gifts and food to these families, as well as sharing the gospel by providing age-appropriate Bibles for the children. While delivering gifts to these families, we have experienced first hand the joy that some of them receive in knowing that God loves them so much and that he is working through others to meet their needs. The inmates themselves are also blessed in knowing that God loves them so much that he has provided a way for them to demonstrate their love by helping them provide gifts at Christmas to their children on the outside.

In late November we place a tree in the Narthex with paper “angels” on it. Each “angel” has the name and gift ideas for one of the children. We encourage members of the congregation to take an “angel,” buy the gift, and bring it to church. We wrap the gifts at the church and deliver them to the family.

First UMC has also collected turkey and other trimmings in order to create a food basket for each family. For this, we need donations of turkeys and food in order to create these baskets.

Keep an eye out for the “angels” and help the children have a better and brighter holiday! For additional information on Angel Tree, please visit the Angel Tree Web site at http://www.angeltree.org/ or contact Bev Raynor at 301-725-3093.