Students for Life of Illinois State Convention
Illinois Lutherans for Life was one of the sponsors (speaker Vicki Thorn, Project Rachel founder) of Students for Life of Illinois annual conference held this year at DePaul University, Chicago, on October 27th. The theme of the conference was "Mission: Possible" and approximately 70 students from several Illinois college campuses attended. The other main speaker was Joseph M. Scheidler, National Director of the Pro-Life Action League.
There were breakout sessions both in the morning and afternoon. Breakout topics included:
- "Campus Groups: "Develop leaders that will end Abortion," led by Michael Barnett, National Field Director for Students for Life of America.
- "Pro-Life vs. Pro-choice, Settling the Debate: A time to Heal," led by Yvonne Florczak-Seeman.
- "Remembering Auschwitz," led by Alicia V. Torres, a freelance writer and SFL Board Member.
- "Kickin' Butt and Savin' Babies (How to Lead the Good Fight)," Led by Pete Mockaitis. A coy of Mockaitis' book, "The Student Leader's Field Guide," was given to all attendees.
Lutherans for Life had a booth there displaying Lutherans for Life resources, fetal model, etc. Throughout the day we had good discussions with many of the attendees and attended several breakout sessions. For more information about Students for Life of Illinois, you can go to their website www.sflillinois.org or their mailing address, P.O. Box 2001, Champaign, IL 61825-2001.
Dressing for Life Tea and Style Show
The Rockford Area Lutherans for Life Chapter 120 together with Immanuel Lutheran Church, Belvidere, and Zion Lutheran Church, Marengo, sponsored and coordinated a Titus 2 for Life "Dressing for Life" Tea and Style Show on September 30th at Immanuel.
Each table host had her own table theme and decorated accordingly. Immanuel's gym was transformed into a lovely large teashop.
Over 90 "special collections" of clothing from the late 1800s to the 1990s were modeled as part of the program illustrating how changing attitudes affect clothing choices and how clothing can affect behavior. The show ended with a beautiful parade of perfect dresses, the "wedding dress."
Over 300 women attended. Everyone had a special time and enjoyed and learned from the presentation. Thrivent Financial matched $1,000 of the donations received at the event. As a result, Titus 2, Word of Hope and the Rockford Area Pregnancy Care Center each received $800 after accounting for event expenses.
For more information about Titus 2 for Life you can go to their website www.titus2-4life.org or email Linda Bartlett.
Lutherans For Life of Illinois
2008
Life Awareness essay contest
Sponsored by Lutherans For Life of Illinois
All of us, as educators and parents, strive to teach our children God’s truth about the sanctity of life. There are very encouraging statistics that indicate the attitude and behavior of young people has shifted to be more pro-life. For the past 13 years we have been conducting this essay contest to give the students an opportunity to witness to their values and opinions about God’s gift of life. We thank all that have participated in the past and encourage others to join.
Topic: "In the Hand of God" is the theme for Sanctity of Human Life Sunday, January 2008. We would like to emphasize how He creates life with His hands, how He redeemed life with His hand and how He calls us and holds us with His hand. It is not necessary to write about abortion. The essays should reflect the student’s viewpoint, substantiated by God’s Word when possible.
Statistics: Whenever possible, the source of statistics used should be referenced.
Identification: All entries should be typed or handwritten in ink and must include the student’s name, grade and school name. It would be very helpful if each teacher would enclose a separate list (preferably typed) of the names of the participating students.
Levels and Length: There are three levels and suggest lengths for the essays:
Grades 3/4 -- 100 words
Grades 5/6 -- 250 words
Grades 7/8 -- 250 words
Again this year: Some teachers have asked if they could send in only their better essays. I encourage any teacher that would like to do so. There is no limit. All students who write essays will receive a sticker. Let me know the total number of stickers to send.
Awards: Three students, one from each of the levels above, will receive a $50.00 cash gift and will have their essays published in various newsletters and on our website. The second place winners at each level will receive a $35.00 cash gift.
Contest Dates: To coordinate with Life Awareness Week, please submit all entries no sooner than January 17, 2008, and no later than February 6, 2008.
Please direct all entries and inquires to:
- Sandy Goss
- 629 East Central
- Lombard, IL 60148
- 630-495-1093
- cybersandyg@hotmail.com
2008 Illinois High School Essay Contest
The Lutherans For Life mission statement states that “we witness to the sanctity of human life through education based on the word of God”. LFL of Illinois does this in many ways. One of the most important is our high school essay contest. Anyone who has ever been assigned a paper to write knows the thought and effort that goes into forming the ideas and then putting them down on paper. Research must be done and a good deal of that searching must be in the Bible to seek God’s word on all life issues. Those who have guided students through this process report that it is eye opening for them. Students must determine and support when human life begins, why does God care about what happens to each person, how can we best fill our role in His plan for us all. It can be a life changing experience.
This year our high school contest offers two "first place" awards of $500 each. This is to simplify requirements imposed by IRS regulations. Also, there can be as many as three $100 runner-up awards.
Several local chapters have their own essay contests. This is wonderful and it is doing a great service. We are only asking that after you have judged your papers on a local level that you send copies to the statewide contest. It will give the young writers a second opportunity for recognition and some of the essays may be published in various bulletins around the state.
Papers may be submitted through email attachments and/or through the mail. For possible needed variations in the due dates, you may contact the sponsor on the entry form (click here).
Pennies for Life
Dear Pastor and Principal,
We are asking our congregations and schools to support Lutherans For Life of Illinois by encouraging each of their members to contribute one penny or more for each year of their life. We hope that you will participate in this project.
This year there is no specific time frame for conducting this collection, making it possible for you to participate during Life Awareness month or other times such as Mother's Day, Father's Day or any time that fits your calendar.
Please place an appropriate container in a prominent location in your church and/or school and mark it as "Pennies for Life." Then convert the pennies to a check and mail it to us in care of our Treasurer:
Brian Umbach
5811 North Old Hickory Lane
Peoria, IL 61615
Your gift will be used by LFL for many educational projects, including the elementary and high school essay contests.
Click here to download a bulletin-sized flyer to publicize this project. In addition, the following announcement could be placed in your bulletin:
Support Lutherans For Life by contributing one penny (or more if you like) for each year of your life. These pennies can be placed in the special container marked "Pennies for Life" found in xxxxxxxx."
Thanks for your help!
In the Hand of God Life Sunday, 2008-
This year's LFL Life Sunday materials focus on the hands of God and our Trinitarian theology. God created us with His hands. He redeemed us with His hands nailed to the cross. He calls us in the waters of baptism and holds us in His hands. The value of human life comes from our "hands on" God. Our theology focuses not on the work of our hands, but on what God's hands have done that give this value.
The "official" Life Sunday is January 20, 2008. However, our materials may be used at any time during the year. Here is a partial list of what is available:
In the Hand of God bulletin insert
Just for Kids XV bulletin insert
The Handiwork of God children's message
In the Hand of God -- A Foundational for Bible Study
A set of five sermons (available on CD)
Click here for an order blank that includes past years' bulletins and other materials as well as the current ones. Get yours ordered early.
Lutherans For Life of Illinois Would Like to Thank the Following for Their Very Generous Gift:
Robert and Norma Hesterberg -- Gifford, Illinois
There are many others who have given during this period but their names are not available to the editor at this time. The gifts are gratefully appreciated and note of them will be made at a later date.
