acceptance can go out to your congregation now. In fact, there is probably a significant subset of your members with an immediate or extended fami- ly member who has been justice-involved. As you contemplate this ministry model, a broad range of options opens up to you. We’ll lift up two turnkey programs that you might want to consider, depending on whether you feel led to dip your toes in or dive into the deep end. Two turnkey programs worth considering 1. The first option is one that may already be known to you: Prison Fellow- ship Angel Tree. Prison Fellowship is the nation’s largest Christian nonprofit equipping the Church to serve currently and formerly incarcerated people and their families, and to advocate for justice and human dignity both in- side and outside prison. Prison Fellowship Angel Tree equips churches to strengthen relationships between incarcerated parents and their children and support the families of prisoners year-round. Through this program, churches are mobilized to give hundreds of thousands of children a gift, the Gospel, and a personal message of love on behalf of their incarcerated parent. Kids who are signed up for Angel Tree may also receive a scholarship for summer camp. In select cities, Angel Tree sports camps bring together churches and the local community to help kids gain skills in various sports and learn about God’s love. One-day STEM camps are also available in select cities. In addi- tion, ongoing relationships—fostered by enfolding families into church life— can result in mutual encouragement, growth, and support. While Angel Tree provides structure, expertise, and funding, the members of local churches are the conduit of ongoing connection. Churches are encouraged to invite incar- cerated people’s families into the ministries of the church: Sunday worship, youth group, Vacation Bible School, support groups, etc. Sometimes these touchpoints are episodic—for example, a gift is purchased and delivered without much in the way of a personal connection. That can be perfectly appropriate. The family may already be connected at another church. Other times, however, this initial connection can function as a rela- tional icebreaker for an unchurched and under-served family and open the door to a fuller engagement between the family and the congregation. Prison Fellowship makes it easy to start by dipping your toe in the water. Your min- istry can grow from there. 2. The second option is one that you may not have heard of: Healing Com- munities USA’s Stations of Hope. O riginally founded by former Philadelphia Mayor Wilson Goode, Healing Communities takes the approach of providing you and your congregation with a vision, a curriculum, a range of practical resources, and a training process to help you reframe your congregational cul-
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