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Presentations on Life Issues
Concordia University Chicago, 7400 Augusta St. River Forest, IL 60305, will host Presentations on Life issues. Topics include Human Care and Practicing Christian Love in Life Issues, The Ecumenical Witness of the Early Church on Life Issues, and The Legal and Woman’s Perspective on Life issues, Wednesday, April 19, 2023, 7:30 p.m. Download flyer
You’re invited to LifeFest!
Following the LWML Convention, join LCMS President Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison for LifeFest, where we will be celebrating the one-year anniversary of Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization (the U.S. Supreme Court ruling that overturned Roe v. Wade) and the Life Ministry efforts of LCMS congregations.
During the event, attendees also will solemnly remember the tragic loss of life that occurred during the nearly 50 years that Roe v. Wade was the law of the land.
The event will feature live music as well as refreshments and light snacks. It will take place immediately following the LWML convention’s closing worship on June 25, 2023 from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
LifeFest is free to attend, but registration is required and space is limited, so RSVP today! Visit lcms-life.org/event/detail/?event_id=90945 for information and regisgtration.
Webinar Video and PowerPoint Presentation Assists in Life Grants
In November 2022, the NID Life Task Force held a presentation and developed a PowerPoint and video to assist those interested in applying for the Million Dollar Life Match Grant. LCMS Million Dollar Life Match Grant writing tips workshop was presented by the NID Life Task Force with special guest, Deaconness Maryann Hayter, Grants Administration Manager at the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.
Download PowerPoint presentation
Five LCMS Northern Illinois District Ministries Awarded Grants
Five LCMS Northern Illinois District ministries were awarded grants by LCMS Life Ministry through the Synod’s 1 John 3 Initiative Million Dollar Life Match, which is providing $1 million in matching grants to LCMS congregations involved in pro-life efforts in their local communities.
37 recipients were chosen after a careful review process that included input from staff of the LCMS Office of National Mission, LCMS district presidents or their representatives, and district life coordinators.
“It is exciting to learn about the variety of mercy work being done by LCMS congregations across the country and to partner with them to expand their capacity,” said Deaconess Dr. Tiffany Manor, director of LCMS Life Ministry, who is overseeing the grant program. “There are some very creative projects that are providing spiritual, emotional and physical care. All of the projects chosen share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with people in the communities.” (The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, August 11, 2022, Million Dollar Life Match Grants Awarded, https://reporter.lcms.org/2022/press-release-million-dollar-life-match-grants-awarded.)
Grants were given out in two categories to NID ministries:
Congregational projects directly caring for families experiencing challenges at the beginning of life
- Our Savior Lutheran Church, Carol Stream, IL
Partnerships with LCMS Recognized Service Organizations
- Bethany Lutheran Church, Naperville, IL
- Andrews Lutheran Church, Park Ridge, IL
- Peter Lutheran Church and School, Schaumburg, IL
- Trinity Lutheran Church, Burr Ridge, IL
The two other categories were:
- Supporting foster care and adoption in collaboration with local agencies
- Collaborations with local pregnancy resource centers
Additional grants will be awarded during two more phases of the Million Dollar Life Match. A second set of applications is currently undergoing the review process, and applications for the third phase will be accepted November 1, 2022, through January 22, 2023. All LCMS congregations are encouraged to apply.
Learn more about the 1 John 3 Million Dollar Life Match at lcms.org/serve/grants/life-grant.
Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization
On Friday, June 24, 2022, the Supreme Court of the United States, in its opinion concerning the case of Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, OVERTURNED the federal right to abortion created by the court in its 1973 decision in Roe v. Wade.
Chairman of the LCMS-NID Life Task Force, Rev. Cory Estby, was invited to participate in an immediate press conference that day in downtown Chicago with March for Life Chicago, WeDignify, IL Right to Life, and the Thomas More Society. With 6 microphones/cameras in front of us, they proclaimed a message that affirms the sanctity of human life from the time of conception in the womb. In ‘reserved celebration’, this is only a first step towards a society and culture that recognizes the value of all human life made in the image of the Creator, especially as it pertains to our current IL state laws.
Anti-abortion advocates rally in South Loop after Roe v. Wade overturned | WGN-TV (wgntv.com)
The following is a draft of his speech that day:
“Te Deum Laudamus–We Praise You, O God” this day and always! Every life has value~life that begins in the womb at the moment of conception. Every life created by God. Millions of babies will have opportunity to live with the recent decision. Women will be preserved the inhumanity of abortion and its effects, including regret, grief and suffering. Fathers will be able to care for their children, at times forgotten or helpless against the mother’s will.
Jesus Christ our Lord was conceived in the womb of the Virgin Mary~and paid the sacrifice for our sin~giving His life on the cross for forgiveness and life with Him forever.
The Church will continue to speak the truth in love and remains at the ready to serve and support those in need. We stand with a Word of Hope and Life. Walking alongside church and community pregnancy resource centers, providing care and compassion to families and mothers, promoting adoption opportunities, managing Breakfast with Baby and Swaddling Clothes gatherings, expanding Redeeming Life Maternity home support. Christians continuing to put love into action for all our neighbors.
Christ’s Church, including the LCMS-Northern Illinois District and its 200+ congregations speaks up for the sanctity of life. All human life is precious and sacred to God. In closing, I would like to share the hymn text (I spoke, didn’t sing it!):
“Now Thank We All Our God, with hearts and hands and voices Who wondrous things has done, in whom this world rejoices. Who from our mother’s arms {actually WOMB}, has blest us on our way With countless gifts of love and still is our today.”
What now?
Stay connected with LCMS Life Ministry for statements, prayers, and the like. Be sure to check it out at Statement from LCMS Life Ministry on the ‘Dobbs v. Jackson’ ruling.
March for Life Chicago 2022 Brings to Light Life Support Ministries
We have never before seen such excitement for life ministry in the NID. Life ministry became an established ongoing mission of the LCMS Northern Illinois District in 2015 when the group was given the broad assignment of creating a pro-life climate within the NID. Educating people about life issues and providing opportunities to put faith into action is the dual focus. The Northern Illinois District Life Task Force connects the District’s church workers and congregations with educational and outreach opportunities promoting the sanctity of human life.
Read the full story at nidnews.org/march-for-life-chicago-2022-life-support-ministries
Rev. Cory Estby to Serve as Triennial Chair of NID Life Task Force
With the guidance and recommendation of District staff with the task force members, a District Vice-President will serve as a triennial chair (the other three regional VP’s as advisory helpers) in rotation for the LCMS Northern Illinois District Life Task Force. Read more at nidnews.org/nid-life-task-force.
Looking to the future
Life ministry has become an established ongoing mission of the LCMS Northern Illinois District. Educating people about life issues and providing opportunities to put faith into action is the dual focus. Established in 2015 by District President Dan Gilbert, the group was given the broad assignment of creating a pro-life climate within the NID over a two-year period.
“We believe we have made strides in that arena,” said Deaconess Kristine Blackwell, who sits on the task force. “The 2017 March For Life Chicago featured several sizable groups of LCMS Lutherans, including a bus load of suburban church members that we transported from a meeting point at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lisle. We united under a ‘Love Affirms Life’ banner, with many of us wearing red Lutherans For Life ball caps.”
The Life Task Force utilized district communication vehicles (NID website nidlcms.org, NID Email Newsletter and the LCMS Northern Illinois District’s Facebook page) and appointed pastoral circuit life counselors to get the word out about each event.
“Our success over the initial two-year assignment has moved us to continue our efforts,” NID Life Task Force shared, “We’ll be educating pastors and their congregations about current topics, such as the dangerous trend by institutions to not allow health professionals to ‘conscientiously object’ and abstain from tasks that violate their Christian beliefs. We’ll be sharing helpful resources. And we’ll be issuing calls to action to LCMS members throughout the district.”
“Currently we are calling on Lutherans to support their local crisis pregnancy center,” they added. The following websites are offered for locating faith-based pregnancy resource centers by zip code:
The NID Life Task Force has formally accepted the following mission statement:
Affirming God’s Will to create and sustain mortal life in the anticipation of Life in Christ, The Northern Illinois District Life Task Force’s mission is to connect with church workers and their congregations by presenting unique educational and outreach opportunities about the reverence of life from conception though natural death.
For more information about opportunities for affirming life in your congregation, contact your circuit life counselor.
