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The annual observance by the Brazos County district attorney’s office to recognize victims of violent crimes and their families and friends returns to an in-person event.
The 19th annual Tree of Angels ceremony is Tuesday (December 7) at 7 p.m. at Bryan’s First United Methodist Church.
Family members and friends around the Brazos Valley are invited to participate in the ceremony by bringing an angel ornament to place on the tree.
Following the program, the tree will be moved to the Brazos County courthouse, where it will be on display on the third floor during the remainder of the holiday season.
News release from the Brazos County district attorney’s office:
On Tuesday, December 7, 2021 the Brazos County District Attorney’s Office will host the Nineteenth Annual Tree of Angels Ceremony. This year, the ceremony will be hosted in person at Bryan’s First United Methodist Church. The church is located at 506 East 28th Street, Bryan, Texas. The ceremony will begin at 7:00 pm.
In 2002, The Tree of Angels was first started in Brazos County after People Against Violent Crime initiated it in Austin, Texas in the early 1990s. The Tree of Angels ceremony recognizes that the holiday season is a difficult time for victims and their families. This special event honors families and friends who have lost a loved one to violent crime by making it possible for them to bring an Angel Ornament to place on a special Christmas tree in remembrance of their loved one.
This ceremony is a reverent forum for the community to join together in remembrance and support of victims of violent crime. Since its inception, the Tree of Angels has become a memorable tradition observed throughout Texas communities. This will be the Nineteenth Annual Tree of Angels Ceremony in Brazos County.
After the ceremony, the special Christmas Tree will be displayed on the third floor of the Brazos County Courthouse throughout the Holiday Season. Family members and friends in the Brazos Valley are invited to participate in the ceremony by bringing an Angel ornament to place on the Tree.
According to victim witness coordinator Melissa Carter, “Losing a loved one to crime is a horrific reality that many in our community have experienced. This loss can be especially felt during the holiday season, as many of their most fond traditions now have a missing piece. This ceremony helps comfort these families, while honoring and remembering their loved ones. Their memory and impact will be forever honored in our hearts and on our tree.”