November Newsletter
Tree of Life is Growing!
After careful consideration during a seven-week prayer journey that began this summer with local churches in northern Fauquier County, God has made clear that not only does substantial need exist in that area, but there is also the necessary support from that church community to create a new region for Tree of Life that will encompass parts of Fauquier and Clarke counties.
As God continues to move during this process, volunteer leaders are already being identified and, perhaps most importantly, as Paul Smith splits his time between the UK and US, he has stepped forward to lead the new region as Acting Regional Director to help get things off the ground.
The new region will begin serving those in need in January 2026, and we’ll be sharing more information as details are solidified for ministry operations, service areas, and more.
Please pray that the right people are called to support this effort and that the love of Christ is shared as we grow into our new Piedmont Region!
If you’d like to make a donation, click HERE.
Support Coffee with a Cause!
Amazing things are happening with SimplyBe Coffee!
Not only does our coffee shop in Leesburg continue to be a beacon of belonging and purpose for the disabilities community, we are excited to announce that construction has begun for the new SimplyBe at Giant in Purcellville!
This new location is going to allow us to better reach out to the Western Loudoun community and share our mission and – most importantly – provide additional work opportunities for individuals with special needs! It is a great partnership with Giant Food, which already helps support our Food Pantry through food drives and donations. The Purcellville Giant also has an impactful track record of hiring individuals with disabilities, so it’s a great fit!
There are many ways you can help support SimplyBe Coffee – every order of coffee, catering, conference room reservation, and tip makes a difference in building opportunities for this community.
You can also donate directly to SimplyBe to help us continue to sustain this ministry and provide much need work opportunities for individuals with special needs.
Thank you!
Race with a Cause
We had a great turnout for our second annual 5k for Shelter at Patrick Henry College! It was a fun morning of community and camaraderie as we came together to make a difference for our neighbors in need.
Thank you to Patrick Henry for hosting us and to all the runners, sponsors, and volunteers that made this event a success. Special shout out to all our sponsors that helped this event make a huge impact for our Shelter Branch:
Core Government Services
MidAtlantic Mechanical LLC
Purcellville Baptist Church
Suzanne Ager
Collins Tile and Stone
Hartley Homebuilding and Exteriors
The Good Feet Store
Merritt Properties, LLC
Davis Infrastructure, LLC
And our Title Sponsor: Unity Power Services
Thank you all for joining us to #racewithacause… we can’t wait until next year!
Volunteer Highlight
“His Grace is Sufficient”
Benjamin Scovern has only been volunteering with us since June, but has become one of our most committed volunteers, helping weekly in our food pantry and at our community dinner in Purcellville.
The road that brought him to Tree of Life has been filled with struggles, brokenness, and, ultimately, God’s saving grace… and we have been honored to be a part of it.
Though Benjamin grew up knowing about Jesus, his choices as an adult sent him far from God, much like the wandering sheep. He spent most of his adulthood addicted to alcohol and drugs, unable to hold a job and struggling with his mental health. But God was at work in him and writing a story that he could not have imagined…
Read more here.
Donor Spotlight
This month we want to shine a spotlight on Davis Infrastructure!
For years, Davis Infrastructure has faithfully supported Tree of Life, investing their time and resources to make a difference in our community. Most recently, they participated in and sponsored our 5K Race for Shelter as the Snack and Awards Sponsor!
We are so grateful for their continued support and commitment to helping those in need – thank you!
EVENTS
Spirit of Giving Night
November 18th is our Spirit of Giving Night at Loudoun Golf & Country Club!
Make your reservations to dine with a cause – 50% of all food proceeds will benefit Tree of Life! Grab your family and friends and enjoy a delicious dinner all while making an impact for your community.
This event is open to non-members – call today: 540-338-7679
Thanksgiving Together
Our Annual Thanksgiving Together event at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Purcellville, is a great way to get involved this holiday season. We invite those in need of food and fellowship to join us for dinner or pick up meals to enjoy at home with family and friends.
We are looking for volunteers to cook and drop off food that morning at the church. All the info you need is here.
Thanksgiving Meal Drive & Delivery
In addition to our Thanksgiving Together event in Purcellville, Tree of Life is also partnering with Christian Fellowship Church in Ashburn to have a turkey and all the fixings delivered to families in Eastern Loudoun!
There are two ways to help:
Donate: We are collecting food for the deliveries, which can be dropped off at our Eastern Loudoun Pantry or CFC.
Volunteer: All food will be delivered on Sunday, November 23rd.
Click HERE for all the info.
Community Christmas
Join Tree of Life in bringing the joy of Christmas to your neighbors in need!
There are three ways you can get involved and spread some cheer:
Donate: Make an impact with your financial gift.
Shop: Purchase gift cards for families & teens, and gifts for senior adults.
Volunteer: Give your time at one of our Community Christmas events.
Click HERE to get involved.
Community Dinners
Every week in three locations, Tree of Life provides a free meal to those seeking food and fellowship. These dinners are open to everyone and no pre-registration is required. Please share with those that may be struggling that a hot dinner, community, and encouragment are waiting for them!
For those looking to give back, our 2026 host group schedule is now available!
Please consider sign up (here) with your group and help feed your neighbors in need.
Still Waters Christmas Ball
Our Still Waters ministry has lots of fun events every week. This year’s events will end with a blast!
Join us at our Christmas Ball on December 12th for a JOLLY good time! We’ll have dinner and dancing, so be sure to dress festive and bring a friend!
Please RSVP for this event… click HERE.
You can learn more about Still Waters and see the full calendar of events HERE.
Thank you for your feedback!
We truly appreciate everyone that took the time to fill out our communication survey. It is really helpful for us to understand how information is being shared about Tree of Life and how people prefer to hear about our needs and activities.
- Church continues to be the way most people learn about Tree of Life and we are grateful for those that have signed up to be ambassadors!
- Email communications are the preferred method for most respondents, with a growing number of people also interested in text notifications.
- Individuals comments are being reviewed and implemented to the extent possible – thanks for taking the time to share!
Social media is growing! Following us on social media is a great way to help get the word out… please follow us if you can!
Tree of Life is hiring!
Tree of Life is Hiring!
We are seeking a Development Assistant who is passionate about serving others and helping our ministry grow.
This role supports our fundraising efforts — from stewarding donors to helping organize events and campaigns that support our work in the community.
If you’re called to use your gifts to make an impact, we’d love to have you on our team.
All interested applicants should email careers@tolministries.org
THANKSGIVING PRAISE
November is a month of giving thanks. The Lord teaches us how to give thanks in His Word!
Today, please join me as we give thanks to the Lord from Psalm 146:
Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord, O my soul! I will praise the Lord as long as I live;
I will sing praises to my God while I have my being.
Put not your trust in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation.
When his breath departs, he returns to the earth; on that very day his plans perish.
Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord his God,
who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, who keeps faith forever;
who executes justice for the oppressed, who gives food to the hungry.
The Lord sets the prisoners free; the Lord opens the eyes of the blind.
The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down; the Lord loves the righteous.
The Lord watches over the sojourners; He upholds the widow and the fatherless,
but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin.
The Lord will reign forever, your God, O Zion, to all generations.
Praise the Lord!
There are many things in this world that can bring us to a low place but consider Who can lift you from the pit! We often seek worldly answers to our problems, but in this psalm God shows us Who executes justice for the oppressed, Who gives food to the hungry and Who opens the eyes of the blind.
As Tree of Life visits the widow, the fatherless and those who need food and clothes, may the grace of God go before us and guide us to share the love of Jesus Christ with every visit, every call and every interaction.
Today, and every day this month, let us praise the Lord together, for all the things He has done, for the things He continues to do, and for everything He plans to do to glorify His name!May you be blessed,
Chaplain Wayne Ruckman
