Plans underway for 2021 life marches

Yurledis Zielinski joins her sister Yuliza in the National March for Life on Friday, Jan. 24, 2020, in Washington, D.C. (LCMS/Erik M. Lunsford)

By Cheryl Magness

As they have for decades, members of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) will march for life in 2021.

“Many things look different this year, but one thing that hasn’t changed is the importance of witnessing publicly that God values all human life, from conception to natural death,” said Deaconess Tiffany Manor, director of LCMS Life Ministry. “We encourage all members of the LCMS, wherever they may be, to care for people who are vulnerable and to speak for them by seeking out and taking part, both from a distance and in person, in upcoming life marches and events around the country.”

‘Moving the movement’

One such event is the Chicago March for Life, which recently announced plans to take this year’s march on the road. The “Moving the Movement Tour” is designed to “build unity, community and the pro-life future” by connecting participants in 10 states in a series of car parades, outdoor rallies and supportive events across the Midwest, culminating in Chicago on Jan. 23.

In doing so, March for Life Chicago — planned by the organization WeDignify — says they hope to encourage their tour partners, whom they are calling the “Midwest Movers,” to “witness, inspire and serve” the cause of life in their respective communities.

One such “Midwest Mover” event will be in Fort Wayne, Ind., on Jan. 16, 2021. Details are still being finalized, but LCMS President Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison will be a featured speaker at the event. Watch the LCMS March for Life page at lcms.org/marchforlife or send an email to lifeministry@lcms.org for more information.

Other cities taking part in the “Moving the Movement Tour” include Madison, Wis., on Jan. 2 and Omaha, Neb., on Jan. 10. More cities will be added in coming weeks.

In addition to the “Moving the Movement Tour,” there are marches scheduled in other cities across the country in 2021, including:

St. Paul, Minn., on Jan. 22

San Francisco on Jan. 23

Washington, D.C., on Jan. 29 (see below)

St. Louis on March 6

Manor said, “We are asking any LCMS member who intends to participate in a life march anywhere in the country to register their plans with us by sending an email to lifeministry@lcms.org. That way, we can provide additional information as it becomes available and help those in the same geographic area network with one another.”

The LCMS is one of the sponsors of the “Moving the Movement Tour.” For more information about the tour, see marchforlifechicago.org.

National March for Life

As in previous years, the Synod will have a presence at the National March for Life in Washington, D.C., set for Friday, Jan. 29. Also, as in previous years, there will be a Divine Service for LCMS participants held before the march at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Alexandria, Va., at 10 a.m.

Manor noted that all march organizers — national, state and local — are emphasizing their intentions to comply with local authorities and ordinances regarding safety and peaceful assembly.

For more information about the National March for Life, visit marchforlife.org.

Virtual life conference

One thing that will look somewhat different for LCMS Life Ministry in 2021 is the LCMS Life Conference. In past years, it has been held biennially in conjunction with the national march in the nation’s capital. In 2021, it will be held later and will offer online participation. Manor said, “We are excited about the opportunities a conference with online options will offer those who might not otherwise be able to participate.”

More details about the 2021 LCMS Life Conference will be available soon.

More ways to celebrate life

Follow the latest news about the Synod’s triennial emphasis, Making Disciples For Life, at lcms.org/making-disciples.

Learn more about LCMS Life Ministry at lcms.org/life.

Show your support for life by using and wearing Eyes of Life gear, available for purchase at eyesoflife.org. The neon green Eyes of Life hats will enable you to better locate your fellow LCMS members at life events in your area, and the signs with hymns printed on the back will facilitate Christ-focused singing — something for which LCMS members have come to be known — while you march.

To support the work of LCMS Life Ministry, please consider donating:

Online at lcms.org/give/life.

Via text (send keyword LCMSLIFE to 41444).

By phone at 888-930-4438, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. CST.

By check (make payable to The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, and write “for life ministry” on the memo line).

Posted Oct. 28, 2020/Updated Jan. 15, 2021