January events give Lutherans opportunity to stand up for life

By Roger Drinnon

Four opportunities in January will allow Lutherans across the nation to express their commitment to upholding the sanctity of human life: the Chicago March for Life; the March for Life in Washington, D.C.; the Walk for Life in San Francisco; and the Y4Life student trip coinciding with the D.C. March for Life.

A student at Valley Lutheran High School in Saginaw, Mich., walks in the 2015 March for Life, Jan. 22, 2015, in Washington, D.C. (LCMS/Erik M. Lunsford)

“At the upcoming March for Life and Walk for Life, the Church has a unique opportunity to be an amplified voice for the voiceless at both ends of our country,” said Stephanie Neugebauer, director of Life and Health Ministries for the LCMS Office of National Mission. “This is an opportune time for believers to take a concerted stance on the travesty of abortion, especially in the wake of what has been revealed by the recent [Center for Medical Progress] videos.”

Here’s more information about the life events:

Jan. 17 March for Life, Chicago — from 2 to 4 p.m. Central time, beginning at the Federal Plaza, 50 West Adams Street. For more details, email the Rev. Dave Bottorff, life coordinator for the LCMS Northern Illinois District, at pastor.dave@sjlcdarien.org or call 630 969-7987.

Jan. 22 March for Life, Washington, D.C. — Divine Worship will be held, beginning at 9 a.m. at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 1801 Russell Road, Alexandria, Va. Participants will then ride the Metro to the march. For more information, send an email to tracy.quaethem@lcms.org.

Jan. 23 West Coast Walk for Life, San Francisco — Participants will gather around the white-and-purple LCMS Life Ministry banner at Civic Center Plaza beginning at 11 a.m., with the rally set to start at 12:30 p.m. After the rally concludes at 1:30 p.m., attendees will walk the route together to Justin Herman Plaza. For more information, email tracy.quaethem@lcms.org. (To see 2015 March for Life photos, click here.)

Jan. 21-24 Y4Life trip to Washington, D.C. — Lutherans For Life (LFL), an LCMS Recognized Service Organization and a partner in the Synod’s Life Ministry, is sponsoring this event, which coincides with the 2016 March for Life.

The trip is open to any high-school or college student. LFL will cover conference registration fees and lodging in Washington for up to 10 students, and will reimburse accepted students for up to $150 in airfare and additional expenses.

Adults are welcome to participate in the trip at their own expense.

The registration deadline is Nov. 15. For more information, email Laura Davis at ldavis@lutheransforlife.org or call 979-716-8030.

“We are joining hands and voices with thousands who speak about what it is like to be ‘coming of age’ in a culture of death where [abortion is normalized],” said Lori Trinche, mission and ministry coordinator with LFL. “Now, [people] fear that assisted suicide and taking one’s own life also will become socially acceptable in the mainstream media and as a worldview.”

For more information on LCMS Life Ministry resources, events and service opportunities, visit lcms.org/life. For more information on LFL, visit lutheransforlife.org.

Roger Drinnon (roger.drinnon@lcms.org) is manager of Editorial Services for LCMS Communications.

Posted Nov. 3, 2015