Day One: Spring 2012 Vigil Begins!

Thanks to all who attended our kickoff rally last night! With a combination of great conversation, motivating remarks by our campaign director, and productive effort to fill our vigil schedule, all-in-all it was a very successful event.

Campaign director Sara Dina cited local abortion statistics and compared them to numbers of local homicides and alcohol-related deaths, leading us to the conclusion that we must stand together to defend our community, and continue to bring down the abortion rate in Alexandria. We filled about 50 hours on our vigil schedule, raised $130 for campaign financial needs, and came away with beautiful new signs, literature, and prayer books for our vigil shifts that begin today. Our outreach team is heading to the streets Saturday morning with a hefty volunteer roster, and we are secure in the knowledge that our campaign efforts are making a difference in this city.

Jacinta at our Community
Outreach in Old Town
last Sunday. Please join us!

Today we begin our 40 Days of prayer and fasting, 40 Days of community outreach, and 40 Days of peaceful vigil for an end to abortion in our very own Alexandria, VA. We join 257 other cities around our nation and beyond in this coordinated effort. Remember, you must sign up at www.40daysforlife.com if you wish to receive the daily national prayer intentions and updates during the campaign. These prayers are very beautiful and help us to come together in one heart and spirit during the 40 Days for Life. Plus you will be among the first to read stories of God's abundant blessings that He is waiting to pour down during this spring campaign!

Included in this spring's 40 Days for Life campaign are three cities in Great Britain: London, Birmingham, and Manchester. National 40DFL leaders Shawn Carney and David Bereit helped kick off their local campaigns last Sunday. In Shawn's words, "We were amazed to see how God has inspired thousands of people across the UK to pray and fast, stand in peaceful vigil and participate in community outreach." Here is their video from last weekend documenting how 40 Days for Life is positively impacting England: http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=2657
 
A reminder about vigil time slots that are open today: 12-1pm and 2-3pm this afternoon each need two people, and 7-9:30am, 10-10:30am, and 11:30am-5pm need one more person. To view our vigil schedule, go to www.vigilcalendar.com/alexandria, or contact Mary Ellen at maryellen.40days@verizon.net. Thank you so much for your prayers and witness!