March ‘for life’ with the LCMS

LCMS President Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison (center, in clerical collar) joins fellow Lutherans from around the United States during the Jan. 22, 2015, March for Life in Washington, D.C. To his right is the Rev. John Fale, executive director of the LCMS Office of International Mission. LCMS congregation members are encouraged to take part in the next March for Life, Jan. 27, 2017. (LCMS/Erik M. Lunsford)

By Kevin Armbrust

Hundreds of thousands are set to gather in Washington, D.C., for the 2017 March for Life on Jan. 27. The Synod will be there with “Eyes of Life.” Every member of an LCMS congregation is invited to join the Synod as we join people of all faiths, races and ages and march for life.

“[As a nation] we have just passed through a year filled with angry demonstrations and riotous behavior,” said Deaconess Pamela Nielsen, associate executive director of LCMS Communications. “The March for Life is different. It is the single-largest peaceful protest in the nation. Wouldn’t it be amazing if thousands of Lutherans came and marched for life to proclaim this positive message in a world that is increasingly darkened by the culture of death?”

The official kickoff to the march for LCMS members is a 9 a.m. Divine Service at the Westin Arlington Gateway Hotel in Arlington, Va. Afterwards, hats and signs will be distributed and Concordia University students will lead the group to the march site, using Washington Metro trains.

“Right now, the plan is to gather at 12th and Constitution and join the march as it passes, but we’ll be providing details right up to the day of the march,” said Nielsen. The LCMS group will be identifiable with lime-green hats, umbrellas and signs with eyes of life.

Following the march, “Life 360°,” the LCMS Life Conference, Jan. 27-29, will commence at the Westin in Arlington. The conference will afford the opportunity to consider the challenges to life at all stages and will include worship and fellowship. Conference speakers will include LCMS President Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison; Dr. George Delgado, who pioneered a protocol to reverse the abortion pill; and the Rev. Jonathan Fisk, Worldwide KFUO program host and producer.

Anyone who wishes to attend the march, but cannot attend the Divine Service prior to the march, is encouraged to join the LCMS contingent. Look for the lime-green hats and umbrellas near 12th Street and Constitution Avenue to meet up and march with the LCMS.

Funds are available to assist with travel costs for high-school and college groups traveling to the march.

“We’d love to have a large group of LCMS young people at this year’s march,” said the Rev. Bart Day, executive director of the LCMS Office of National Mission.

“It’s important to know that you aren’t the odd voice or the only voice who speaks for life,” said Day. “At the march you see all these other people who are willing to come out and publicly march for life. You might feel alone, but at the march you see that you are part of something big enough to even change the laws.”

Anyone planning to attend the march, and who isn’t registered for the Life Conference, is asked to contact the LCMS Church Information Center at 888-THE LCMS or infocenter@lcms.org, so that they may be informed about late-breaking details and receive materials for the march.

Dr. Kevin Armbrust ( kevin.armbrust@lcms.org ) is manager of Editorial Services with LCMS Communications.

Posted November 21, 2016