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I encourage you to read "Leaving the Bumper Stickers Behind", posted on the Pittsburgh Presbytery Website. The Pittsburgh Presbytery Council's Task Force to Study Abortion makes two recommendations: 1) Engage in conversation about abortion in your own church and presbytery, and 2) Take action in your congregation to make alternatives to abortion practical and tangible for women and to support and love those whose lives are touched by abortion. The report includes two valuable resources that offer guidelines for starting a group discussion of abortion and ideas for offering practical care ministry to pregnant women. Also provided is a sample memorial service for those grieving the loss of a child through miscarriage, stillbirth, or abortion.

Join Presbyterians Pro-Life on January 18th in celebrating an often forgotten, segment of our Presbyterian Church family--the unborn. January is the perfect time to consider precious life in the womb. Images of the Christmas story are fresh in our memory. Our souls are still impacted by the incredible irony of the King of Kings entering our world as a terribly vulnerable embryo in the womb of a virgin. He laid aside his glory and his power and took up unseen residence in the darkness of the womb of an unwed mother in a culture that stoned women who were discovered to be pregnant before marriage. Many pro-life churches commemorate "Sanctity of Human Life Sunday" as a way to memorialize the millions of babies that have been aborted each year since the Supreme Court decision known as Roe v. Wade legalized abortion in January of 1973. They plan a special service on the Sunday closest to the anniversary of Roe v. Wade, which in 2009 will be January 18. Other churches choose to simply celebrate God's gift of life without making a connection to any politically charged event or issue. It is right and good any time of the year to incorporate into our worship our acknowledgement that our very life is created and sustained by God and that we are made in his image to bring glory and praise to His name. Each year Presbyterians Pro-Life prepares materials to aid churches in planning a service around a theme celebrating God's gift of life. Visit the SOHLS home page to download our 2009 bulletin insert and other worship planning materials. If you would be interested in having someone from the PPL staff or Board of Directors speak at your church for a special life-affirming service or to share the work of Presbyterians Pro-Life with your congregation, please don't hesitate to contact PPL.

Advent Conspiracy is an international movement restoring the scandal of Christmas by substituting compassion for consumption

I made a New Year's resolution for the first time in years. The difference? I asked God to help me. Be encouraged. Here's my blurb from my blog: Walk your way to better health no matter what size you are. Return here for encouragement in reaching your goals. If you can walk, please do!

The PCUSA's China network website....explore and join the network!