The Diocesan Dialogue
Current Issue
February 2007

St. Stephen's Offers Angel Tree for Children of Prisoners

By Carol Powell

photo credit Stephen Howe & Kathy Romanano

My husband and I joined the Episcopal Diocese Prison Ministry several years ago. We became aware of the Angel Tree Program through Jamie O’Shea.

It is a unique ministry which gives churches an opportunity to share Christ’s love by helping to meet the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of the families of prisoners.

We began this ministry by contacting the Prison Fellowship, Rocky Mountain Area Office, Kristi Hornick (Angel Tree Coordinator) at 1-866-333- 6966 to obtain necessary paperwork.

We then met with the Rev. Lee Shaw to determine the number of children our parish could sponsor. We decided to sponsor 22 children. Prison Fellowship already had requests from inmates with children and care-giver names located near Saint Stephen’s parish. The Prison Fellowship faxed us a list of 22 children, inmate names and care-giver names with phone numbers and addresses.

Each inmate wrote a special Christmas message to his/her children. Each child would receive two gifts, clothing and a fun gift. Saint Stephen’s had an Angel Tree Sunday; parishioners chose a child to sponsor and purchased gifts for their child. There was a gift wrapping party after services on the Sunday prior to the Angel Tree Christmas Party.

One volunteer made blanket throws for each of the children. Other volunteers donated money to cover the cost of the party.

The true Spirit of Christmas was in the hearts of the parishioners, children of the inmates and their care-givers. I highly recommend this ministry to all Episocal Parishes. It allows the parishioners to have contact with the children they sponsor and gives the inmates an opportunity to show the love they have for their children.

"Our Christmas came a bit early this year," said parishioner Dan Herron. "We had a group of kids and their care-givers with us. Not only did they dine with us but they also helped us celebrate Eucharist. After sharing the Body and Blood of Christ we went back into the hall. As the gifts were handed out I noticed the adults with extremely broad smiles and most of us had tears in our eyes."

Dan and his wife Betsy, who do not have any blood relatives in Utah, added "on the 13th, our family was here at Saint Stephens. A few adults made a handful of kid’s lives a bit brighter, happier and lighter."

The Reverend Lee Shaw joined in with more praise, "It was wonderful to see the parish take hold of this program to help these children. I saw in it the generous spirited Christianity that we try to do all year long. It really came together with the Angel Tree Program."

Carol Powell attends St. Stephens.

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