Angel Tree Christmas: One Gift, a Relationship Transformed

This Advent, Westminster has a beautiful opportunity to share the hope of Christ with children and caregivers in our community who are often marginalized by the actions of a loved one. Through Angel Tree Christmas, we partner with Prison Fellowship to give a Christmas gift (about $25–$30) to a child or teen on behalf of their incarcerated parent—along with a personal message from that parent.

One simple gift, offered in love, can help bridge the emotional and physical gap between a child and their absent parent. It really does start with a gift…and can lead to a life transformed.

How Angel Tree Works

Prison Fellowship connects us with local caregivers whose loved one is incarcerated. The parent in prison has already filled out an application asking a local church to give a gift and share the love of Christ with their child.

At Westminster, we display Angel tags for each child. When you choose an Angel, you are saying “yes” to:

• Buying and wrapping a gift in the $25–$30 range (one package, please)

• Including the child’s Angel tag with the wrapped gift

• Returning the gift to the church by December 10

If shopping isn’t possible for you, you can still participate by giving financially to the Angel Tree fund. These gifts help purchase presents, Bibles, inspiring favors, teen journals and calendars, and grocery gift cards for a Christmas meal.

Angel Tree Walk to Christmas

On Saturday, December 13, caregivers and children are welcomed to Westminster for our Angel Tree Walk to Christmas. Families arrive in scheduled appointments through the late morning and afternoon.

During the Walk, families:

• Check in and have the child’s photo taken

• Hear the Christmas story and receive age-appropriate Bibles and faith-filled gifts

• Share prayer requests and words of encouragement

• Receive their wrapped gift from the incarcerated parent

It’s a gentle, joy-filled way to surround families with compassion, dignity, and the good news that they are seen and loved by God.

Volunteers are needed for 2–3 hour shifts to help with check-in, hospitality, story-sharing, and prayer. If you’d like to serve, please call Wanda Outlaw.

Ways You Can Help Restore Hope to a Family

Pray

• Pray for Angel Tree families, for children missing a parent, and for Christ to be known in every home we serve.

Give

• Choose an Angel tag on or after November 23 and shop for a child’s gift.

• Return your wrapped gift with the Angel tag by December 10.

• OR give financially through Westminster, designated “Angel Tree”, to support gifts, Bibles, groceries, and last-minute needs.

Serve

• Volunteer at the Angel Tree Walk to Christmas on December 13.

• Offer a warm smile, a listening ear, and a simple prayer—it matters more than you know.

Closing

Please begin praying now for the children, caregivers, and incarcerated parents connected to our Angel Tree ministry this year. May Christ use our gifts, our prayers, and our presence so that every family we meet will know: you are loved, you are not forgotten, and God’s hope is for you.