December Newsletter
Year End Giving
As we approach the end of the year, we humbly invite you to partner with us once more. Every gift strengthens our unique ministry model allowing us to serve our neighbors in Jesus’ name through practical help, compassionate relationships, and intentional discipleship. Your generosity is stewarded with care and integrity, and we are deeply grateful for your faithful prayers and support as the Lord leads your giving.
Community Christmas
Our Community Christmas events are a great way to give back this holiday season!
This year Tree of Life is partnering with 3 local churches to host Community Christmas events in Purcellville, Ashburn, and Sterling. Each event will include a holiday performance, a time of fellowship, a meal or treat, and a gift giveaway.
You can help us make Christmas extra special for a local family by volunteering, shopping, or donating!
SHOP our amazon wish-list for gifts for Senior Adults in local nursing homes.
VOLUNTEER at one of our events in person.
DONATE gift cards for families or make a financial gift.
Thanksgiving Blessings!
Thanksgiving Together
At our annual Thanksgiving Together event at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church we served 185 meals to the community. With the help of an amazing team of volunteers and food donors, everyone who came to dine with us or pick up a meal was greeted with love and a homecooked Thanksgiving dinner.
It was great to see so many familiar and new faces join us for dinner and we are incredibly grateful for a day that truly reflected thanksgiving and neighborly love. Thank you to everyone that made this event possible!
Thanksgiving Meal Deliveries
During the week of Thanksgiving, Tree of Life and Christian Fellowship Church came together to deliver Thanksgiving meals to 145 families in Loudoun! These meal boxes included all the traditional fixings and were delivered with love by an incredible army of volunteers.
Thank you to CFC and everyone who made this possible! We are incredibly grateful for your support and commitment to serving those in need in this community.
Thank you!
Thank you to everyone that supported Tree of Life for Giving Tuesday! Your gift and commitment to helping those in need truly makes an impact. We are pleased to share that over $25,000 was raised for our Relief Fund!
Our Relief Fund exists to provide individuals and families with essential assistance, such as rent, utilities, and emergency needs. So far in 2025, more than 100 families have received this help, and we are grateful to be able to help even more.
If you would like to contribute to our Relief Fund, and help us reach our goal of $30,000, you can donate at the button above.
Volunteer in our Piedmont Region!
Join us for the first Volunteer Introduction Program (VIP) in Tree of Life’s Piedmont Region! This VIP will take place on Saturday, December 13th at 9am at Upperville Baptist Church.
All volunteers are asked to attend a VIP session before they get started so they can learn more about Tree of Life, how we are serving the community, and what might be the best volunteer role for them.
We hope you’ll join us for this one-hour session. Additional VIP sessions for all regions will be scheduled in 2026.
If you want to get involved in our new region and have already attended a VIP, let us know! Email William at wnunaley@tolministries.org.
Volunteer Highlight
This season, we are thrilled to shine a light on one of our exceptional volunteers, LeeAnn DiSerafino (pictured on the right), who is leading our Community Christmas Ministry in Eastern Loudoun.
LeeAnn brings incredible energy, vision, and dedication to everything she does. Originally from New York and now raising three wonderful children here in Leesburg, she balances family life with her passion for serving others. Her drive and remarkable leadership qualities have already made a lasting impact on our ministry, inspiring those around her to step up and give back.
This year, LeeAnn has already led a successful Thanksgiving drive, ensuring families in need were cared for during the holiday season. Now, through her commitment to the Christmas ministry, she is helping families in our community experience the joy, hope, and love of Christmas.
We are deeply grateful for her heart of service and the example she sets for all of us.
Donor Spotlight
Our Donor Spotlight this month is Southern Electrical! Southern Electrical has faithfully supported Tree of Life, The Clothing Closet, and SimplyBe Coffee through many moves, renovations, and changes over the years. Each project they are a part of is so integral to the ministry and growth of Tree of Life and our Gospel Enterprises.
Beyond generously offering their time and expertise, Southern Electrical is also a committed sponsor of our Annual Golf Tournament and contributes towards other fundraising initiatives throughout the year.
We are deeply grateful for their wholehearted generosity and partnership!
Thank you to our Board!
In this season of thankfulness and giving, we also want to express our gratitude for our Board of Trustees, led by Chairman Scott Bedrosian.
We are deeply thankful for their leadership, governance, and spiritual guidance, which ensure that the work of our ministry reflects Christ’s love. We remain thankful for their partnership as we serve our community in His name.
Save the Dates!
Weekly Day Break Bible Study
Thursdays, 11am, Blue Ridge Bible Church
Storytime at SimplyBe
First Wednesday of Every Month, 10am
Ashburn Community Christmas
Wednesday, Dec. 10, 6:30pm, Christian Fellowship Church
Western Loudoun Community Christmas
Saturday, Dec. 13, 6pm, Purcellville Baptist Church
Sterling Community Christmas
Monday, Dec. 15, 6:30pm, Grace Covenant Church Sterling
Volunteer Introduction Program:
Monthly – Click HERE for dates and registration.
CHAPLAIN’S CORNER
Did you ever wonder how Joseph and Mary felt while holding the baby Jesus? They had been brought up in households that revered God. An angel appeared to Mary and appeared to Joseph in a dream about the baby that was to be born.
But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:20-21)
They had heard the prophecies of the coming Messiah. They knew the significance of the Messiah coming to earth. Imagine how they felt as they remembered the words of the prophet Isaiah:
For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this. (Isaiah 9:6–7)
This Christmas, please join with me in celebrating the birth of Jesus: an event that would change the world, including how we worship and relate to God. Jesus is Immanuel, or “God with us”, and breathes new life into us when we engage in a relationship with Him.
“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23)
Thank You God, for sending Jesus your Son to us, and thank You for the Holy Spirit, who constantly points us to Jesus. It is through the power of Jesus Christ that we are blessed, and it is through His power and love that we desire to bless others. In Jesus’ Name, Amen!
Don’t forget to subscribe to our Advent Devotional Series this year! Receive a daily email during Advent that will inspire you each day leading up to Christmas! You can sign up here: SIGN UP
May you be blessed,
Chaplain Wayne Ruckman
