By Emily Lyons, Coordinator of Saint Philip’s Prison Ministry

It’s November, and that means Christmas will soon be here! It’s a season children look forward to with excitement, but for a child with a parent in prison, it can be an especially painful time.

And for people in prison—parents or not—Christmas can feel especially lonely.

There are two easy ways that you can bring some joy during the Christmas season to both children and adults.

Angel Tree gifts
Through Angel Tree, you can give a child a Christmas gift on behalf of their mother or father in prison. For a family dealing with the pain of separation due to incarceration, this simple act of kindness can make a huge difference. (If you missed it, you can read more about this wonderful program in this E-Pistle article by Saint Philip’s Angel Tree Coordinator Kyle Kim-Hays.)

Every Sunday through December 1, you’ll find volunteers near the church side entrance or in the Murphey Gallery. We’ll be easy to find—just look for the big Christmas tree and table!

Questions about Angel Tree? Contact Angel Tree Coordinator Kyle Kim-Hays at k2hays@gmail.com.

Christmas cards
Another way you can spread some joy to those for whom Christmas is a lonely time is by making a Christmas card. Volunteers will have art supplies and a card-making area near the Christmas tree for the next five Sundays.

Saint Philip’s Prison Ministry will mail the cards to women in Perryville Prison who are on the Sunshine Club mailing list, as well as parents of the Angel Tree kids.

(This same effort was organized to make cards for Mother’s Day earlier this year and over 95 cards were made and mailed!)

What’s the Sunshine Club?
The Sunshine Club is a diocesan-wide program that sends birthday and holiday cards to inmates who have requested correspondence. Sending cards is a way to bring a bit of cheer and hope into inmates’ lives, and lets them know they are not forgotten. Getting involved with the Sunshine Club is a way for children, as well as adults, to participate in prison ministry.

Interested in helping out, but not sure about choosing a gift, or what you would say in a Christmas card? You can make a donation to Saint Philip’s Prison Ministry by cash or check. Checks can be made out to Saint Philip’s in the Hills, and indicate “Outreach: Prison Ministry” in the memo line. Your financial support helps cover the costs associated with Prison Ministry events and projects, which we hope to offer more of in the coming year.

Questions about Saint Philip’s Prison Ministry? Contact me, Saint Philip’s Prison Ministry Coordinator, elyons@arizona.edu.