Got Christmas in your heart?

Angel Tree, a ministry of Prison Fellowship, seeks the reconciliation of prisoners’ families to God and to one another through the power and truth of Jesus Christ. it begins with a Christmas gift and the Gospel.

Each year, numerous people from Faith Church buy a toy and a gift of clothing for local children who have a parent in prison.

It may seem like a small act of charity to give a prisoner’s child a gift at Christmas. It is not! Such seemingly small acts of kindness are often a powerful channel of God’s love. Any time we as a church show mercy to a child, we show mercy to their parents. That is true whether they live next door or in a prison far away. No act of service is too small when you show the love of Jesus Christ through Angel Tree!

In past years, Faith Church’s ministry focused on children whose mothers were incarcerated at Shakopee Women’s Prison. Due to new and complicated prison regulations, in 2010 our ministry at Faith Church began to focus on local children whose parent is incarcerated. In 2011, our neighboring church, All Saints Lutheran, will join with us. A Christmas party with the Angel Tree children and their families will be held here in the Faith Church activity center on the afternoon of Sunday, December 18, 2011. There will be music, games, and gifts with the Christmas message of the timeless love of Jesus Christ.

How can you help?
• In mid-October each year, callers are needed to contact local Angel Tree families to familiarize them with the process and invite them to be part of the event.
• Buy gifts for a child when the names are available in mid-November.
• Stay after worship the first Sunday in December to collect and sort gifts from the Faith family (3-4 people are needed).
• Help with the party in mid-December.

You and your family can play an important part in the lives of the children of inmates and their caregiver, and be a joyful participant, as well!

Please continue to pray that these children of inmates and caregiver parents, having experienced the love of Christians and having heard the gospel message, will come to know the life-changing power and love of Jesus Christ in their circumstances.

If you have questions or would like to get involved, please contact Barb or call the church office.