Angel Tree

December 2, 2008



It Starts with a Gift… It Leads to Lives Transformed by Christ

Welcome to another year of Angel Tree Christmas! If you're a first-time volunteer, you'll soon understand our excitement and enthusiasm as we reach out to families of prisoners.

There is so much joy that comes with sharing Christ's love with kids who have a mom or dad in prison. Angel Tree is a powerful way for Carmel Presbyterian Church to lovingly answer the biblical call to minister to the least of these. 

"Whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me." (Matt 18:5)

In our Savior's name,

Bill Ziering

Ziering@pacbell.net

831-655-4768

Right now, 1.5 million children know their biggest Christmas wish can't come true. They know mom or dad can't spend the holidays at home with them because he or she is in prison. These young and vulnerable boys and girls struggle with loneliness, isolation, upheaval and shame. But with your help, we can deliver a Christmas present, a smile, and hope for a better future.

You can let these precious children know they are not forgotten.

Angel Tree, a program of Prison Fellowship, seeks the reconciliation of prisoners and their families to God through the transforming love and grace of Jesus Christ.  While reconciliation and transformation can start with something as simple as a gift, it takes ongoing relationships and support to continue the journey. Angel Tree encourages and equips churches to go beyond their Christmas involvement to provide year-round support for prisoners' families.

CARMEL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH is running to reach out to these children left behind. 19 of the 31 families mostly living with their grandma, aunties,

in Seaside, Pacific Grove, and Carmel, have been "adopted" by our membership, , mostly by one of our many "small groups".

Pastor Rick Family Matters Dr Bill and Duncan Lewis Sue Clayton Charlie Hayes Joan Orchard Terry Budden Sharon Stoner Eric Holk Dick Nystom Frank Rabb Chuck Hawkins Karen Keenan Ric Masten Bonnie Alfriend Tom Tuttle Mary Waters Mae Merrill Pam Ziering

What Others Are Saying  about Angel Tree

"I grew up watching my mother, Ruth Bell Graham, reach out to families split by incarceration. I commend Chuck Colson for reaching out through Prison Fellowship's Angel Tree and providing a channel for us to impact young lives - some of our nation's most-at-risk children. Please consider supporting this great ministry with your gifts and prayers and demonstrate the abundance of Christ's love through your generosity."

Franklin Graham

Can you help too? 12 more volunteers and our promise is fulfilled. Jesus will do the rest.

Pam and Bill Ziering

250-7921

ziering@pacbell.net