wfn.org | [LCMSNews] Many Lutherans at 'March for Life'

["LCMS e-News" <LCMSENEWS@lcms.org>]

> 	
>	
> 	
>	
>1.29.2009		
>	LCMS News	 	
> 	

>THE LUTHERAN CHURCH Missouri Synod  	 	
>	

	

	January 29, 2009 .................... LCMSNews -- No. 9

Record number of Lutherans join 2009 'March for Life'

>By Kim Plummer Krull

For Kathy Jones, taking two and a half days off work and spending nine
hours riding a red-eye bus to Washington, D.C., proved well worth the
"incredible experience" of joining what is believed to be a record
number of fellow LCMS members at her first "March for Life."

"It was uplifting to see so many people standing up for life," said
Jones, a technical editor and member of Shepherd of the Lakes Lutheran
Church, Brighton, Mich. After years of talking about marching, Jones
says she decided this was the year to participate

"It was awesome to look up, and all you could see was tons and tons of
people in front and behind a flood of people. It made our hearts soar to
think that so many people would take the time to take part," Jones said.
"With [President] Obama taking office and the larger threat to various
abortion laws, I think it's important for people to show our support for
the unborn and to raise our voices for those who can't speak."

Jones was one of thousands of pro-life supporters from throughout the
country who trekked to the nation's capital for the 36th annual march on
Jan. 22, two days after the presidential inauguration.

The march observes the anniversary of the 1973 U.S. Supreme Court's "Roe
v. Wade" decision legalizing abortion in the United States.  Since the
ruling, more than 48 million abortions have been performed in the United
States, according to published sources.

As of Jan. 29, march organizers had yet to announce the official
turnout, but estimated participation at between a record 300,000 to
400,000 people. Veterans said they had no doubt this marked a banner
year for Lutheran marchers, who included Synod President Gerald B.
Kieschnick.

>Kieschnick's prayer

Just as they expressed concern about the new U.S. president's views on
abortion and embryonic stem-cell research, LCMS marchers also noted
their joy in seeing their church body president kick off the pre-march
noon rally.

 

"A great message and a great prayer" is how Eric Otten, a Navy pilot
from Fort Worth, Texas, described Kieschnick's prayer at the National
Mall. A member of Christ Lutheran Church in Fort Worth and a march
veteran, Otten said he was happy to join "the most Lutherans I've seen
in four years."

 

"In previous marches, a lot of people would come up and thank me for
coming, and they would get excited because I was a Lutheran when most of
the marchers were Catholic," said Otten, who also serves on the
Lutherans For Life (LFL) board of directors.

In the opening prayer at the March for Life rally, Kieschnick prayed "on
behalf of all those whose lives are in danger because they are not
afforded the basic protection to gaze upon that which all in this
country should have the right to behold, namely 'life, liberty and the
pursuit of happiness.'"

Earlier in the day, the LCMS president also delivered the sermon at a
service organized by LFL at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Alexandria, Va.
The service drew a record 160 worshippers, according to LFL, including
many Lutherans who later marched through the Washington, D.C., streets.

Several LCMS World Relief and Human Care (WR-HC) staff members took part
in the march, including: Maggie Karner, director of LCMS Life and Health
Ministries; Ed Szeto, coordinator for Life Ministry special projects;
Dr. Albert Collver III, executive pastoral assistant; and Al Dowbnia,
director of Communication Services. Dowbnia coordinated first-time LCMS
Web coverage of March for Life activities, including video interviews
and pictures of Lutheran participants, still accessible at
www.lcms.org/marchforlife <http://www.lcms.org/marchforlife>  . 

Members of the LCMS Sanctity of Human Life Committee (under the auspices
of LCMS WR-HC) also marched, including Dr. Robert Weise, Timothy
Goeglein, and Dr. James Lamb.  After the march, Life Committee members
met to discuss ways the Synod can become a more visible leader in the
public square on life issues.

>'Words into action'

Lamb, who serves as LFL executive director, credited both Obama's
position on life issues and Kieschnick's attendance with motivating more
Lutherans to take a stand in the nation's capital.  "It's not enough to
just nod our heads and say we are pro-life," said Lamb, participating in
his 10th March for Life.  "We have to put those words into action." 

Under a clear sky and enjoying milder-than-normal temperatures,
Lutherans proudly waved the banners of LFL and LCMS WR-HC's Life
Ministry during the afternoon, 10-block parade.  Gridlock often made for
more standing than marching, but Lutherans said they were pleased the
large turnout would send a strong affirmation about the blessing of
God's gift of life.

The event drew many first-time marchers, including Sarah Schultz, a
junior at Concordia University Wisconsin in Mequon. Schultz drove one of
two vans packed with 17 Students for Life members.  This was the group's
third march and largest participation.  Schultz made this year's march a
priority to support "those who don't have anyone to speak out for them
unless we do."  

 

"There won't be a lot of pro-life push, as far as the [U.S.] president
goes," said Schultz, who called the march "even more than I expected."
"It was definitely neat to go to church in the morning and hear
President Kieschnick and then for him to give the opening prayer [at the
pre-march rally]," she said.  "Next year, I'd like to see even more high
school kids, college students, and young adults get involved.  We need
to get something started to see even more Lutherans at the march to
honor the sanctity of life."

The LCMS president agreed.  Heading toward the steps of the U.S. Supreme
Court building for the march finale, Kieschnick reflected on the many
LCMS members who took time off from work and classes to show their
respect for life.  He said he was proud that "so many of our LCMS people
care enough about this cause to spend their own time and money and
energy to come here today."

>Encouraging members

"This has been a wonderful experience, and I'm hopeful it will be an
encouragement to more of our pastors and more of our members to speak
the truth in love and to speak out unapologetically about the God of our
universe who created life and who wants us to support life in all its
stages, from the cradle to the grave," Kieschnick said.

Those words echoed the Synod president's "Statement on Sanctity of Human
Life Observance," issued Jan. 16, in which Kieschnick said: "The LCMS,
since its inception, has steadfastly proclaimed the miracle of human
life from conception until natural death. As we march with other
concerned Americans, we underscore our belief that Christ Jesus
sanctified all human life by His birth, life, death, and resurrection
for all mankind."

Looking beyond the march, Karner said she anticipates a challenging four
years for pro-life work and noted "particular pieces of legislation are
threatening on the horizon."  The next day, Obama repealed the Mexico
City Policy, opening the door to government funding for groups that
promote or perform abortions overseas.

In a statement released immediately after the repeal, LCMS WR-HC
Executive Director Rev. Matthew C. Harrison said the Synod's mercy arm
"is an international relief organization concerned about caring for the
most vulnerable and underserved around the globe.  We serve body and
soul by showing the mercy and compassion of Christ to those in need,
including women and children -- both born and unborn.  It is deeply
disturbing that the Obama administration is promoting and funding
abortions with U.S. taxpayer monies."

Karner urged fellow Lutherans to "stay informed and get involved" with
life issues and cited two Web sites as "solid resources" -- LCMS Life
Ministry ( www.lcms.org/life <http://www.lcms.org/life>  ) and Lutherans
For Life ( www.lutheransforlife.org <http://www.lutheransforlife.org
).

Carolyn Burns, a member of St. Michael Lutheran Church, Portage, Mich.,
marched with her husband, Bill, and five members of Emmanuel Lutheran
Church, Fort Wayne, Ind.  This was her first March for Life, but, Burns
vowed, not her last.

 

"It's so empowering to come here and be with other Christians ...
Lutherans and Catholics. ... It's empowering to be filled with God's
grace and to hear the message that President Kieschnick brought out so
well," Burns said.

 

"We're going to be back next year," she said, "with double the number."

Kim Plummer Krull is a freelance writer and a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Des Peres, Mo.

>***************************************

If you have questions or comments about this LCMSNews release, contact
Joe Isenhower Jr. at joe.isenhower@lcms.org
<mailto:joe.isenhower@lcms.org>  or (314) 996-1231, or Paula Schlueter
Ross at paula.ross@lcms.org <mailto:paula.ross@lcms.org>  or (314)
996-1230.

>***************************************

>	
> 	

This Edition of "LCMS News" e-News is provided
by:

Board for Communication Services, Division of News and Information

Contact Editor

<http://www.lcms.org/enews/contact_editor.asp?title=LCMS%20News&editori d
=6> 
	

This LCMS e-News message comes from a "Send Only" mailbox that
does not recognize replies. To reply to this message, please click on
"Contact Editor" above.

>_____

To subscribe to or unsubscribe from this Newsletter and many others,
please visit LCMS e-News <http://www.lcms.org/enews> .
Share this Newsletter <http://www.lcms.org/enews/forward.asp?m=7204
with a Friend. 	
MessageId=7204 UserId=10073

>_____

© 2002 - 2008 The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod  <http://www.lcms.org/
.
No reproduction without consent. All rights reserved.