Today was a calm day at our Alexandria prayer vigil. The thunder has died down, and most people are quietly accepting our presence. However, the schedule was a bit difficult. Although every hour was signed up for, one prayer volunteer did not show up or call, creating a complication in the vigil system. Please, if a prayer volunteer is late or unable to make his shift, call Mary Ellen or myself so we can try to maintain coverage and keep track of our vigil supplies! It's particularly critical when there's only one person signed up for a particular slot, as the preceding person often has an appointment and can't wait for latecomers to relieve him. Despite quirks in the schedule, good news from the national team: 11 saves already (www.40daysforlife.com)!
Today was also the first day for St. Joseph Church members to pray from 5-7pm! Deacon Al led the prayers and gave a blessing at the end of the day. We welcome tomorrow and Saturday members of St. Raymond Church, who have signed up en masse to fill these two days chock full! If you are a regularly scheduled prayer volunteer for Friday or Saturday, you are likely to have some company!
We have a few empty hours coming up on Sunday afternoon from 1-2pm and from 3-6pm so if you have some free time to spare for the babies please sign up and consider a weekly commitment to fill these slots (www.vigilcalendar.com/alexandria)!
Finally, we begin Respect Life month on Saturday, October 1. There are several pro-life activities during this time: International Week of Prayer and Fasting, Life Chain, Day of Pro-Life Solidarity, and more. To help you chart out your calendar, prayer coordinator Marie and I prepared a list for you now posted on our website at 40daysforlife.com/alexandria/documents/2011OctoberActivities.pdf. We will participate in some events as a team, but others you may wish to do on your own. Enjoy!
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Day One: Great Start!
Following an exciting kickoff rally (see report below), 40 Days for Life Alexandria is off to a great start with 20 prayer volunteers signed up for Day One and many more appearing at the site to cover every single hour of the day, including a group of students from Bishop Ireton High School! With such a community of prayer, we can feel the spiritual excitement and "synergy" radiating as we support one another in loving witness to life. Local workers and residents showed mixed reactions, but already God has shown his blessing on our efforts!
The day began with torrents of rain, thunder and lightning as if the Evil One groaned in protest while 301 cities around the world began praying, fasting, and standing watch for an end to abortion. Later, there were several reports of angry reactions from passers-by, to which I am proud to relate that prayer volunteers responded calmly and with love. These negative reactions were more than balanced by many positive ones: honks of approval, thumbs-up signs, and positive conversation. One couple was surprised and saddened to learn their OB-GYN was an abortionist, and took information gratefully about other life-affirming options.
We must understand that, while 40 Days for Life is "birthed from love and wrapped in peace," as our team leader Jonathan puts it, "all truth, regardless of the manner it is presented, offends those who would rather believe a lie (cf. Jn. 3:19)... Social tension is the natural child of what we are doing during 40 Days for Life," and constructive social tension will help bring about the end of abortion.
At the vigil site on Duke Street and while handing out material during outreach, we must always have a peaceful demeanor, despite any spoken opposition. As stated on our local website, this involves "showing compassion, and reflecting Christ's love to all." Team leader Keith adds, "We do not respond to anger with anger... If an abortion supporter is angry, and we face him or her with compassion, we will win an important public relations victory... and we may win over another pro-lifer by showing kindness, not fire."
So our campaign is off to a good note, with Day One already completed in excellent form! We look forward to standing, praying, and, as national director David Bereit puts it, "seeing God's miracles" along with you during these next 40 Days for Life!
The day began with torrents of rain, thunder and lightning as if the Evil One groaned in protest while 301 cities around the world began praying, fasting, and standing watch for an end to abortion. Later, there were several reports of angry reactions from passers-by, to which I am proud to relate that prayer volunteers responded calmly and with love. These negative reactions were more than balanced by many positive ones: honks of approval, thumbs-up signs, and positive conversation. One couple was surprised and saddened to learn their OB-GYN was an abortionist, and took information gratefully about other life-affirming options.
We must understand that, while 40 Days for Life is "birthed from love and wrapped in peace," as our team leader Jonathan puts it, "all truth, regardless of the manner it is presented, offends those who would rather believe a lie (cf. Jn. 3:19)... Social tension is the natural child of what we are doing during 40 Days for Life," and constructive social tension will help bring about the end of abortion.
At the vigil site on Duke Street and while handing out material during outreach, we must always have a peaceful demeanor, despite any spoken opposition. As stated on our local website, this involves "showing compassion, and reflecting Christ's love to all." Team leader Keith adds, "We do not respond to anger with anger... If an abortion supporter is angry, and we face him or her with compassion, we will win an important public relations victory... and we may win over another pro-lifer by showing kindness, not fire."
So our campaign is off to a good note, with Day One already completed in excellent form! We look forward to standing, praying, and, as national director David Bereit puts it, "seeing God's miracles" along with you during these next 40 Days for Life!
Kickoff Rally Report
We had a great kickoff rally Tuesday evening at Bishop Ireton High School cafeteria, with around 80 people in attendance, including Christians young and old, family, singles, religious, team leaders, prayer volunteers, new and returning faces.
Bishop Ireton chaplain Fr. Ed Perez led the opening prayer shortly after 7pm, invoking the Holy Spirit's assistance and inspiration.
Event coordinator Sara gave an overview of our local "community in crisis," citing the 2010 Alexandria average of over 5 abortions per day, giving us an abortion rate of over 32% of pregnancies. In addition, the number of abortions among blacks and minorities in Alexandria comes out to be around double that of whites, revealing an alarming disparate effect we cannot wholly dismiss as unintentional, given Planned Parenthood founder Margaret Sanger's outlook and writings on African-Americans.
Other team leaders discussed the origins and results of 40 Days for Life both abroad and here in the community, prayer as an inter-denominational Christian effort for life, the vigil as a peaceful prayerful sign of God's love, and community outreach as a way to engage our neighbors in Alexandria. Mary Ellen noted that Dr. Cassidy, a supportive dentist in Building 2, has made his office available during office hours to prayer volunteers in case of necessity, but this is not to be overused, and all signs are to be left at the vigil site when approaching his office.
Sister Clare of the Diocese of Arlington told attendees that Bishop Loverde is very supportive of 40 Days for Life, and is himself an ardent witness for the unborn. She then wrapped up the remarks around 7:45pm with a closing prayer asking God's blessing and protection upon our efforts this fall.
Following the remarks was a brief period for signups and refreshments, after which we carried lighted candles in a silent procession to the vigil site to offer community prayer. The rally ended around 8:15pm.
From all reports so far, rally attendees were very pleased with what they had seen and heard. We look forward to standing vigil, working and praying for life together during this fall 2011 campaign!
Bishop Ireton chaplain Fr. Ed Perez led the opening prayer shortly after 7pm, invoking the Holy Spirit's assistance and inspiration.
Event coordinator Sara gave an overview of our local "community in crisis," citing the 2010 Alexandria average of over 5 abortions per day, giving us an abortion rate of over 32% of pregnancies. In addition, the number of abortions among blacks and minorities in Alexandria comes out to be around double that of whites, revealing an alarming disparate effect we cannot wholly dismiss as unintentional, given Planned Parenthood founder Margaret Sanger's outlook and writings on African-Americans.
Other team leaders discussed the origins and results of 40 Days for Life both abroad and here in the community, prayer as an inter-denominational Christian effort for life, the vigil as a peaceful prayerful sign of God's love, and community outreach as a way to engage our neighbors in Alexandria. Mary Ellen noted that Dr. Cassidy, a supportive dentist in Building 2, has made his office available during office hours to prayer volunteers in case of necessity, but this is not to be overused, and all signs are to be left at the vigil site when approaching his office.
Sister Clare of the Diocese of Arlington told attendees that Bishop Loverde is very supportive of 40 Days for Life, and is himself an ardent witness for the unborn. She then wrapped up the remarks around 7:45pm with a closing prayer asking God's blessing and protection upon our efforts this fall.
Following the remarks was a brief period for signups and refreshments, after which we carried lighted candles in a silent procession to the vigil site to offer community prayer. The rally ended around 8:15pm.
From all reports so far, rally attendees were very pleased with what they had seen and heard. We look forward to standing vigil, working and praying for life together during this fall 2011 campaign!
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Rally Tonight!
Tonight we launch our 40 Days for Life campaign here in Alexandria this fall. We will be praying and fasting, holding peaceful vigil at 2839 Duke Street, and going door-to-door for an end to abortion in our city. As we enter these 40 Days we seek "to access God's power," realizing we cannot end abortion on our own. Our mission is "to bring together the Body of Christ ... with the purpose of repentance ... to turn hearts and minds from a culture of death to a culture of life."
If you can come to our rally tonight with other prayer volunteers and team leaders, please do so! We welcome Fr. Ed Perez, Sister Clare Hunter, and representatives from many different churches and groups. You can sign up for vigil hours, learn about this fall's campaign, and ask any questions that you may have. We will also travel to our vigil site together for a brief moment of prayer following our silent candlelight procession.
If you have not already done so, and wish to receive national updates and prayer requests, please enter your name and email address at www.40daysforlife.com. This is a one-time signup that will carry through multiple campaigns unless you unsubscribe, but it is different from our local email list, and the daily devotionals and stories of lives saved at neighboring campaigns can be quite inspiring and unifying. We will update you on local efforts here in Alexandria, but to see God's victories for life and love around the world you must sign up with this national list.
Thank you for all your prayer and commitment to the unborn who cannot speak for themselves! Our Lord has told us, "As long as you did it to the least of My brethren, You did it for Me," and we know He cannot be outdone in generosity. As we conclude our planning efforts, and begin our focused prayer, vigil and outreach on Day One after kickoff, I'm looking forward to a great start to our campaign. Hope to see you this evening!
If you can come to our rally tonight with other prayer volunteers and team leaders, please do so! We welcome Fr. Ed Perez, Sister Clare Hunter, and representatives from many different churches and groups. You can sign up for vigil hours, learn about this fall's campaign, and ask any questions that you may have. We will also travel to our vigil site together for a brief moment of prayer following our silent candlelight procession.
If you have not already done so, and wish to receive national updates and prayer requests, please enter your name and email address at www.40daysforlife.com. This is a one-time signup that will carry through multiple campaigns unless you unsubscribe, but it is different from our local email list, and the daily devotionals and stories of lives saved at neighboring campaigns can be quite inspiring and unifying. We will update you on local efforts here in Alexandria, but to see God's victories for life and love around the world you must sign up with this national list.
Thank you for all your prayer and commitment to the unborn who cannot speak for themselves! Our Lord has told us, "As long as you did it to the least of My brethren, You did it for Me," and we know He cannot be outdone in generosity. As we conclude our planning efforts, and begin our focused prayer, vigil and outreach on Day One after kickoff, I'm looking forward to a great start to our campaign. Hope to see you this evening!
Monday, September 26, 2011
Kickoff Rally Tomorrow!
Join us tomorrow evening to pray, learn, reflect, and ACT as we launch our sixth 40 Days for Life campaign here in Alexandria!
TIME: Tuesday, September 27, 2011, 7:00 PM
PLACE: Bishop Ireton High School, Cafeteria
ADDRESS: 201 Cambridge Road, Alexandria, VA
Bring a candle and your friends! We're looking forward to seeing you!
TIME: Tuesday, September 27, 2011, 7:00 PM
PLACE: Bishop Ireton High School, Cafeteria
ADDRESS: 201 Cambridge Road, Alexandria, VA
Bring a candle and your friends! We're looking forward to seeing you!
Friday, September 23, 2011
Help Fill our Online Vigil Calendar!
YES! -- Peaceful, prayerful, and PHYSICAL presence outside abortion facilities CAN make a difference, and DOES save lives, as the following true stories from our Alexandria prayer vigil relate:
Because of so many stories like this, I am incredibly grateful to the generous souls who have committed to a prayerful witness for life at our prayer vigil this fall, and whose names help to fill 290 hours -- that's over HALF the slots! -- on our online vigil calendar (see link below). If you are one of those people, thank you so very much!
However, there are still 190 empty hours on our vigil schedule -- and we need more signups to fill these times! I have personally committed to more than 80 vigil hours this fall, and I challenge you to consider a similar commitment -- if not 80 then perhaps 40 hours over the 40 Days, or 4 hours each week.
Just think -- if 5 of us stepped forward this weekend to cover 40 hours each, our vigil schedule could be completely filled before kickoff!
If you have not already done so, I invite you to sign up for vigil hours right now with the simple steps below:
We're so excited to have you on board as we enter this coordinated, focused and effective campaign -- for LIFE!
- A prayer volunteer stood praying alone in the rain. She held out a sign reading "Choose Life! We can help 1-800-848-LOVE." A woman leaving the facility stopped her car to punch the number into her phone, and mouthed "Thank you!" through the window as she drove away...(last fall)
- Two prayer volunteers spoke with a young woman four months pregnant, giving her information on crisis pregnancy resources and adoption. "Thank you so much!" the woman responded, "It's a sign from God that you were here!"...(just three weeks ago!)
Because of so many stories like this, I am incredibly grateful to the generous souls who have committed to a prayerful witness for life at our prayer vigil this fall, and whose names help to fill 290 hours -- that's over HALF the slots! -- on our online vigil calendar (see link below). If you are one of those people, thank you so very much!
However, there are still 190 empty hours on our vigil schedule -- and we need more signups to fill these times! I have personally committed to more than 80 vigil hours this fall, and I challenge you to consider a similar commitment -- if not 80 then perhaps 40 hours over the 40 Days, or 4 hours each week.
Just think -- if 5 of us stepped forward this weekend to cover 40 hours each, our vigil schedule could be completely filled before kickoff!
If you have not already done so, I invite you to sign up for vigil hours right now with the simple steps below:
- Visit our online vigil calendar at www.vigilcalendar.com/alexandria, and login as a returning user or setup a new account with the "New User Sign Up Here" section of the page. This will bring you to the online calendar itself.
- You may click "Next Week" at the upper right-hand side of the page to find Day One of our vigil which is WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2011.
-- Currently, empty hours for Wednesday include 11:00am to 3:00pm.
-- On Thursday, we need prayer volunteers at 12:00-3:00pm and 4:00-5:00pm.
-- Our biggest gaps right now are on afternoons and weekends!
- To sign up for any half-hour time slot, click "Signup" by that time, and confirm a one-time or a weekly commitment. If you want to sign up for an hour or more, click and confirm two or more "Signup" links. It's easy!
We're so excited to have you on board as we enter this coordinated, focused and effective campaign -- for LIFE!
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Online HQ Ready to Go!
Our website is newly updated for this fall's campaign! Here are some of the pages you may find useful:
- Signup instructions for new volunteers
- Resources on prayer and fasting, including our vigil prayer booklet
- Vigil guidelines, directions, and online vigil calendar
- Local pregnancy resources for women and men
- Door-to-door outreach information
- Calendar of events
- Contact information for team leaders
- Flyers and campaign details handout
- Photo albums from previous events
- And more!
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Great Training Workshop This Morning!
I'm happy to report that our sidewalk counseling workshop went very well this morning! Dick was pleased with the turnout and Sara got lots of great feedback from those who attended. We have one more sidewalk counseling training opportunity this Friday evening (click here for event details). Email Sara at jandsdina@cox.net if you would like to attend!
We also need help this weekend at four church signups on Saturday evening (4:30-6:30pm) and all day Sunday (6:30am-6:30pm). We will be handing out flyers and inviting people to our rally on Tuesday! Let me know (jacinta.40days@gmail.com) if you'd like to jump on board!
We also need help this weekend at four church signups on Saturday evening (4:30-6:30pm) and all day Sunday (6:30am-6:30pm). We will be handing out flyers and inviting people to our rally on Tuesday! Let me know (jacinta.40days@gmail.com) if you'd like to jump on board!
Monday, September 19, 2011
Counseling is On!
Thanks to some last-minute signups, we're going to have our sidewalk counseling training tomorrow morning as scheduled (click here for event details). However, we still need more signups for Friday evening! I really encourage you to take this opportunity tomorrow or Friday if you can to learn about counseling from a veteran responsible for over 300 saves in the noVA area.
Everyone, including prayer warriors, can benefit from this talk. Dick Retta comes from a distance to share his insights free-of-charge. Despite recent challenges, he continues to speak for unborn babies on the sidewalk to spare women and their families from pain and regret. Please email Sara Dina at jandsdina@cox.net if you are able to attend.
We had a great weekend doing outreach in Old Town and signups at St. Mary Church. We distributed information about the upcoming campaign and kickoff rally to about 1,000-1,500 people, some of whom signed up for vigil hours and our prayer campaign! This weekend we have signups at four churches ... we're counting down to kickoff!
Please help spread the word about our Kickoff Rally and invite all your friends (we may need some extra candles, if you have some to spare). Looking forward to seeing you!
Everyone, including prayer warriors, can benefit from this talk. Dick Retta comes from a distance to share his insights free-of-charge. Despite recent challenges, he continues to speak for unborn babies on the sidewalk to spare women and their families from pain and regret. Please email Sara Dina at jandsdina@cox.net if you are able to attend.
We had a great weekend doing outreach in Old Town and signups at St. Mary Church. We distributed information about the upcoming campaign and kickoff rally to about 1,000-1,500 people, some of whom signed up for vigil hours and our prayer campaign! This weekend we have signups at four churches ... we're counting down to kickoff!
Please help spread the word about our Kickoff Rally and invite all your friends (we may need some extra candles, if you have some to spare). Looking forward to seeing you!
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Closing in on Kickoff!
It's a busy weekend in Alexandria -- and 40 Days for Life Alexandria is no exception! Jonathan is teaching a class on Pro-Life Persuasion in Annandale, and Mary Ellen, Paul, and Marie are attending Fr. Ted's talk in Springfield! Then Jacinta and a team of volunteers have signups at St. Mary Church Saturday evening and all day Sunday. Don't forget to say hi if you see our table there! Finally Paul is doing Pre-Campaign Outreach in Old Town on Sunday afternoon. Yes, it's a full weekend for sure!
Looking ahead to our last week before kickoff, we are offering two sidewalk counseling classes on Tuesday morning and Friday evening (see web page for details). Unfortunately, only a few people are registered to attend -- and unless there are at least five each day we will have to cancel! Please spread the word about this opportunity, and email Sara at jandsdina@cox.net to sign up before Monday!
We thank the good Lord for regulations approved Thursday for VA abortion facilities to maintain hospital-like standards beginning January 1, 2012. Predicted to close 17 of our 21 facilities, they include procedures for
We look forward to seeing you at our rally on September 27 at Bishop Ireton High School. Don't forget to bring your candles!
Looking ahead to our last week before kickoff, we are offering two sidewalk counseling classes on Tuesday morning and Friday evening (see web page for details). Unfortunately, only a few people are registered to attend -- and unless there are at least five each day we will have to cancel! Please spread the word about this opportunity, and email Sara at jandsdina@cox.net to sign up before Monday!
We thank the good Lord for regulations approved Thursday for VA abortion facilities to maintain hospital-like standards beginning January 1, 2012. Predicted to close 17 of our 21 facilities, they include procedures for
licensure or license renewal, organization and management, infection prevention, patient care, quality assurance, medical records and reports, disaster preparedness, facility security, functional safety and maintenance, and design and construction.Let us pray they will spare post-abortive women from infection, lack of care, and emergency maltreatment. The pain of abortion is great enough without additional complications.
We look forward to seeing you at our rally on September 27 at Bishop Ireton High School. Don't forget to bring your candles!
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Saturday Last Personhood Training, Fr. Tad to Speak at St. Raymond's!
Come to Personhood Training this Saturday, or Beginning of Life Issues morning talk by renowned bio-ethicist Rev. Tadeusz Pacholczyk! For our previous posting on Fr. Tad, click here. For Personhood Training info, click here. Below is feedback from two of last week's attendees:
"I would highly recommend everyone to attend this workshop...The presenter Jonathan is a very unique guy, former US soldier, dedicated to this ministry fulltime." -- Tan
"I know abortion is wrong but explaining why it's wrong to someone who doesn't feel the same way is not always easy. I highly encourage any of you who have not gone to set time aside to go this Saturday." -- Mai
According to training coordinator Ahn Tu Do, Tan was initially reluctant to attend and leave his wife at home with five young children. However, he decided to attend at the last minute, and was so impressed that he's been inviting anyone he knows to the upcoming workshop.
Anh Do continues, "I understand that everyone wants to spend time with family after a long work week, some may have work or other activities on Saturday. However, knowing how many powerful messages you will learn and apply on a daily basis, I encourage you to take advantage of this second and last Pro-Life workshop... Contact me by e-mail or phone to register, then bring the form with you to the training on Saturday. Be there around fifteen minutes before 10:00AM."
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
It's Better to Light a CANDLE...
We're looking forward to our kickoff Rally on TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, at 7:00 PM at Bishop Ireton High School Cafeteria (201 Cambridge Road, Alexandria). All are invited to attend! However, we have one special request:
If you plan to attend, please bring at least one CANDLE (and perhaps an extra for a friend). We hope to conclude our event with a prayer procession to the vigil site, and your taper will provide light as well as inspiration. As we know, it's better to light a candle than to curse the darkness -- both literally and figuratively!
Looking forward to seeing you!
If you plan to attend, please bring at least one CANDLE (and perhaps an extra for a friend). We hope to conclude our event with a prayer procession to the vigil site, and your taper will provide light as well as inspiration. As we know, it's better to light a candle than to curse the darkness -- both literally and figuratively!
Looking forward to seeing you!
Monday, September 12, 2011
Come to our Kickoff Rally!
With great joy and excitement, and on behalf of our entire planning team, I cordially invite you to our Fall 2011 40 Days for Life Alexandria Kickoff Rally! This campaign launch event will translate our planning efforts and your love for life into prayer, action and commitment to transform our community. I hope you'll mark your calendar right away, and make every effort to attend!
Rally Details:
DAY: Tuesday, September 27
TIME: 7:00 - 8:00 PM
PLACE: Bishop Ireton High School, Cafeteria
ADDRESS: 201 Cambridge Road, Alexandria, VA
This is YOUR opportunity to get charged up for the fall campaign -- and it's OUR opportunity to meet you (which we'd love to do) before the 40 Days begins!
Come to
Before we start our 40-day regimen of prayer and fasting, take our stand at the vigil, or knock on doors in our community, let's take a moment to come together, call on the power and mercy of Almighty God, and renew our resolution to stand for life! If you are registered to participate in 40 Days for Life this fall, or merely interested in finding out more, please feel free to attend!
View and print our Rally Flyer at http://40daysforlife.com/a
RSVP on Facebook or contact Event Coordinator Sara Dina at jandsdina@cox.net.
Help spread the word by inviting all your friends! We look forward to seeing you there!
Rally Details:
DAY: Tuesday, September 27
TIME: 7:00 - 8:00 PM
PLACE: Bishop Ireton High School, Cafeteria
ADDRESS: 201 Cambridge Road, Alexandria, VA
This is YOUR opportunity to get charged up for the fall campaign -- and it's OUR opportunity to meet you (which we'd love to do) before the 40 Days begins!
Come to
- Pray with fellow pro-lifers
- Discover our local abortion situation
- Learn about 40 Days for Life
- Join our prayer campaign
- Sign up for vigil hours
- Meet team leaders
- Review vigil procedures
- Process to vigil site...
- And more!
Before we start our 40-day regimen of prayer and fasting, take our stand at the vigil, or knock on doors in our community, let's take a moment to come together, call on the power and mercy of Almighty God, and renew our resolution to stand for life! If you are registered to participate in 40 Days for Life this fall, or merely interested in finding out more, please feel free to attend!
View and print our Rally Flyer at http://40daysforlife.com/a
RSVP on Facebook or contact Event Coordinator Sara Dina at jandsdina@cox.net.
Help spread the word by inviting all your friends! We look forward to seeing you there!
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Making Abortion Unthinkable: The Art of Pro-Life Persuasion
I invite you to attend a special workshop in preparation for our upcoming 40 Days for Life campaign! You will learn effective biological and scientific arguments to counter pro-choice reasoning through a program that builds confidence and will prepare you to defend the pro-life viewpoint logically in any arena.
The full program will be offered twice on two consecutive Saturdays. Sign up on either date:
Saturday, September 10 -OR-
Saturday, September 17
Go to our website and Facebook page for info and registration details.
Please help spread the word!
The full program will be offered twice on two consecutive Saturdays. Sign up on either date:
Saturday, September 10 -OR-
Saturday, September 17
Go to our website and Facebook page for info and registration details.
Please help spread the word!
Strategy and Approach to Sidewalk Counseling
Sidewalk counseling training will be offered on the dates below! Here's your chance to continue your preparations for our fall 40 Days for Life, and learn from an experienced counselor how to help abortion-minded women avoid a choice that will bring a lifetime of regret.
This workshop is compiled and presented by Dick Retta, Lifeguard sidewalk counselor since 2001 and personally responsible for over 300 saves.
The full program will be offered twice in the same week so you can sign up for either of the two times scheduled below:
Tuesday, September 20, 2011 -- 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM -OR-
Friday, September 23, 2011 -- 6:30 PM - 9:00 PM
Visit our website and Facebook page for additional info and registration details.
Please help spread the word!
This workshop is compiled and presented by Dick Retta, Lifeguard sidewalk counselor since 2001 and personally responsible for over 300 saves.
The full program will be offered twice in the same week so you can sign up for either of the two times scheduled below:
Tuesday, September 20, 2011 -- 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM -OR-
Friday, September 23, 2011 -- 6:30 PM - 9:00 PM
Visit our website and Facebook page for additional info and registration details.
Please help spread the word!
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Pre-Campaign Outreach Has Begun!
40 Days for Life is comprised of three main activities: prayer and fasting, peaceful vigil, and outreach within the community. This Sunday we began the outreach portion of the campaign with our Pre-Campaign Outreach in Alexandria. Our team of three, led by Assistant Outreach Coordinator Jonathan, handed out information about the upcoming campaign, and invited people on the streets to participate with us in prayer for an end to abortion. The following is a report from Jonathan:
Outreach volunteers took advantage of excellent weather this Sunday to work the streets of Old Town Alexandria. Several persons showed interest in 40 Days for Life and gave us their contact information! This is a great way to reach people who otherwise wouldn't know about the campaign, and we want to do it as often as possible. Outreach isn't hard to do, so tell us if you can help sometime!Consider joining us the next three Sunday afternoons from 2-5pm with Outreach Coordinator Paul Spicer, or on Wednesday afternoons with Jonathan, to help spread the word about our upcoming campaign in our community. Help is needed to hand out flyers, hold signs, and invite people to sign our petition, thereby agreeing to join in prayer and fasting for an end to abortion during 40 Days for Life. You may also want to attend our pro-life and sidewalk counseling training sessions beginning this Saturday, and we hope you will be able to join us for our Kickoff Rally (details to follow)! For more information visit our website: www.40daysforlife.com/alexandria.
Saturday, September 3, 2011
Let the Fun Begin!
Friday morning we witnessed a special event at our continuing prayer vigil. God decided to show a bit of His power and glory. Let me share the facts with you:
I arrived a bit before 8am. I had forgotten my sign. However, another prayer volunteer was there, who had changed her schedule unexpectedly, and she had a sign. I was talking with her, when a woman stopped to talk with us. "Do you have information on adoption?" she asked.
I pulled out our list of local pregnancy resources and gave the woman contact information for adoption assistance as well as doctors, pregnancy help centers, and other services. She told us she was 4 months pregnant and didn't want to have an abortion, but had been addicted to heroin, and wasn't sure about the baby. She said, "I'm broke. Is that a problem?" I said, "That's why all these places are here to help you," and wrote my telephone number on her flyer, asking her please to call me if she had any further questions or difficulty.
"Thank you so much! It's a sign from God that you were here this morning," she said, as she walked off. The other prayer volunteer and I agreed. We were so amazed and thankful to God that this woman had decided to speak with us and seek the help she needed for her child. Also we were glad to be there for that woman to help and answer her questions. No woman should ever feel alone in a crisis pregnancy or that she has no other choice than abortion. We completed our shifts prayerfully, as the clinic workers arrived, and the abortion facility opened for business.
To God be the glory, great things He has done, and will continue to do, each and every day. Did you see the new 40 Days for Life video on Planned Parenthood closing in Sherman? For me the most inspiring part is around 9 minutes into the video, when Ramona, former clinic manager, is speaking. Her message really focuses on the power of prayer. God led her to leave the abortion industry, but He did so only after many prayers were offered on her behalf by faithful prayer volunteers. I'm looking forward to seeing great things this fall in our community as well.
Over the next few days we will inform you about the different parts of our campaign this fall and the different ways you can participate. Please keep our efforts in your prayers, as we work towards an exciting and coordinated campaign for everyone!
I arrived a bit before 8am. I had forgotten my sign. However, another prayer volunteer was there, who had changed her schedule unexpectedly, and she had a sign. I was talking with her, when a woman stopped to talk with us. "Do you have information on adoption?" she asked.
I pulled out our list of local pregnancy resources and gave the woman contact information for adoption assistance as well as doctors, pregnancy help centers, and other services. She told us she was 4 months pregnant and didn't want to have an abortion, but had been addicted to heroin, and wasn't sure about the baby. She said, "I'm broke. Is that a problem?" I said, "That's why all these places are here to help you," and wrote my telephone number on her flyer, asking her please to call me if she had any further questions or difficulty.
"Thank you so much! It's a sign from God that you were here this morning," she said, as she walked off. The other prayer volunteer and I agreed. We were so amazed and thankful to God that this woman had decided to speak with us and seek the help she needed for her child. Also we were glad to be there for that woman to help and answer her questions. No woman should ever feel alone in a crisis pregnancy or that she has no other choice than abortion. We completed our shifts prayerfully, as the clinic workers arrived, and the abortion facility opened for business.
To God be the glory, great things He has done, and will continue to do, each and every day. Did you see the new 40 Days for Life video on Planned Parenthood closing in Sherman? For me the most inspiring part is around 9 minutes into the video, when Ramona, former clinic manager, is speaking. Her message really focuses on the power of prayer. God led her to leave the abortion industry, but He did so only after many prayers were offered on her behalf by faithful prayer volunteers. I'm looking forward to seeing great things this fall in our community as well.
Over the next few days we will inform you about the different parts of our campaign this fall and the different ways you can participate. Please keep our efforts in your prayers, as we work towards an exciting and coordinated campaign for everyone!
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