Lutherans give witness to life and Christ

LCMS President Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison (center, in black) takes part in the St. Louis March on the Arch on March 23. (LCMS/Amanda Lewis)

By Stacey Eising

On a chilly Saturday, March 23, nearly 500 people marched together in downtown St. Louis for the March on the Arch, the largest annual pro-life demonstration in the St. Louis region, now in its seventh year. The march is organized by Coalition Life, and The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) is a sponsor.

A group of LCMS marchers joined in this assembly, donning bright green hats, singing hymns and reciting the Apostles’ Creed and the Lord’s Prayer as they made their way from outside Union Station in St. Louis to the St. Louis Gateway Arch.

“We believe that all life is sacred and holy and that Jesus died for all lives. All lives are precious, and the most vulnerable can’t speak up for themselves — so we speak for them. This is a great event to continually remind people in Missouri that we stand with women and children and for the sanctity of all human life,” said the Rev. Joseph Schlie, pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Perryville, Mo. Schlie joined in the march alongside several members of his congregation.

Prior to the march, participants gathered for a rally in Aloe Plaza across from Union Station. LCMS President Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison was one of the speakers at the rally.

“I’m overcome with sorrow at the events since Roe fell, as once powerfully pro-life states have taken decided turns toward death,” said Harrison. “But I also rejoice. I’m rejoicing for each one of you. … I’m rejoicing for the state of Missouri and praying she will not fail. I’m rejoicing over the thousands upon thousands of children who are alive today because of [the overturn of] Roe. … I’m rejoicing over you and your churches and organizations, who care for the least and the last and the hurting and the most vulnerable. …

“Christ was put to death for our sins and raised for our justification. He said, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life.’ I believe in resurrections.”

While abortion has been illegal in the state of Missouri since the overturn of Roe v. Wade in 2022, many of the speeches during the rally focused on the petition-signing attempts by pro-choice advocates to get abortion on the ballot in Missouri. Speakers gave participants advice on what to do if approached by these petitioners and how to help encourage others to decline to sign.

LCMS members have joined in this march for the past few years. While the march faced significant counter-protests last year, this year the marchers met with mostly favorable reactions from passing cars and pedestrians.

A public witness

The LCMS group featured participants of all ages, from retirees to babies in strollers.

Ella Schnare, a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Hamel, Ill., and one of nine siblings, was there with her family.

“We want to stop abortion,” said Ella. “It’s been going on for way too long, and it needs to stop.”

The Schnares know all about the joys of caring for life. “To have a life that’s not your own to take care of and to nourish is such a special thing. You’re tending to what God gave you, and it’s a gift. And it’s just amazing. Life is just amazing,” said Ella.

“Life is God-given,” added Ella’s oldest sister Elena Schnare. “God put life into us. Being able to raise a life, seeing [a child] grow — it’s amazing, but it’s also super important, because God gave that life to us, and we’re supposed to raise life to the best of our ability and to praise Him.”

The march was an opportunity for LCMS participants to gather together with other Lutherans and fellow defenders of unborn life, but it was also a chance to proclaim the sanctity of God’s gift of life to those who were in downtown St. Louis that morning.

“There are a lot of people out there who feel very isolated, who have qualms about what society tells them that they can or perhaps even should do. And for them to see this sort of public witnessing that no, that’s not the only way, is truly important,” said the Rev. Erik Johnson, a former Specific Ministry Pastor from New York City who is currently finishing his M.Div. at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis.

“It’s also a testimony to our faith,” Johnson continued. “It speaks to our confidence in God’s promises that we go and publicly and unashamedly give witness to what we believe, no matter what the world has to say on the matter.”

Since the fall of Roe, many working for the cause of life have redirected their efforts to the state and local levels.

“Local events — such as the March on the Arch in St Louis — that are hosted by pro-life organizations are wonderful opportunities for Lutherans to interact with neighbors who share our value of each and every human life,” said Deaconess Dr. Tiffany Manor, managing director of Human Care and Ministerial Support for the LCMS Office of National Mission. “These events allow for connections with coalitions of volunteers and local efforts that advocate for life; teach about the sanctity of all human life; and provide care for women, families and children in body and soul.

“As we walk together with other pro-life people, Lutherans provide witness to our communities that God’s love in Christ is for all people.”

Posted May 1, 2024