Salvation Army &
the Angel Tree Ministry
ANGEL TREE 2023
Christ Church will partner with the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree again this year. Everyone in the congregation will have an opportunity to follow Jesus’ example of ministry to the poor and needy by adopting an angel. The Angel Tree ministry helps local families in need by providing gifts to enhance every child’s joy on Christmas morning.
You can adopt an angel on Sundays, November 5, November 12, or November 19 in the Tilford Room after the 8:00 am and 10:30 am Sunday services. Each angel ornament represents an individual child and will have his or her name, age, and suggested gifts. There will be
volunteers on hand to help you with your selection and answer any questions. Once you select your angel, you will receive instructions and a bag in which to place your gifts.
If you are not able to attend services, but want to take an angel, please call our dedicated telephone line 540-486-4003 and leave a message. Someone will get in touch with you and arrange to get an angel to you.
Once you have finished your shopping, you will have three options for delivery of the gifts to the Salvation Army:
· Deliver your gifts directly to the Salvation Army office at 300 Fort Collier Road in Winchester, Monday through Friday only, from 8:30 am – 4:30 pm.
· Call the Angel Tree hotline (540-486-4003) and request a pickup.
· Bring the gifts to the Tilford Room on Sunday, November 26, or Sunday, December 3, after the 8:00 am service or before or after the 10:30 am service.
If you would like to participate but cannot get out to shop, please send a check to Christ Church and mark it for “Angel Tree.” For any questions, call the Angel Tree hotline or Pat Shaner at 703-969-5720 or email patriciashaner@gmail.com. Thank you for your anticipated participation in this worthy program!
The Outreach Committee of Christ Episcopal Church made a donation to the local Salvation Army in October 2022 which will assist the organization as it makes significant transitions in the way it serves our community.
Captains JB and Stephanie Blevins accepted the check from the church with gratitude and explained that, since coming to Winchester, they have sought ways to fill the need they saw in Winchester for shelter for families in crisis. They are transitioning from serving individual men and women to being able to serve families, with four rooms available initially. Improvements to the facility include updated bathrooms, beds, a kitchen available for families to use, and a dedicated area for children.
Captain JB says, “This will be a place of peace, participation, and progress for families. They will be treated with dignity and feel safe and secure. We will require participation through case management and progress toward their own success while they are with us.” Families will be able to stay for up to three months as they work toward their goals.
Clare Dame, with the Christ Church Outreach Committee, says, “Stability is so important to children and their development. We’re so excited about what the Salvation Army is doing for children especially.”
Christ Episcopal Church is pleased to continue our relationship with the Salvation Army that has spanned decades and includes ministries such as the annual Angel Tree at Christmas, meal donations, and more.