MWC Newsletter August 2013

7/30/2019 MWC Newsletter August 2013

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Inside this issue:

Directors Corner 2

Fetal Pain at 8 Weeks 2

Purity Ceremony 3

Prayer & Praise 3

Its Just A 4

Take Note 4

23rdAnnual Celebration of Life 5

Volume 21 Issue 1 August 2013

Metro News is a semi-annual publication of Metro Women's Center, a 501(c)3 organization. This publication is provided free of charge.

Board of Directors

Dave Sebald, President

Jennifer Moreau, Vice-Presid

Lindsay Levang, Secretary

Diane Eliason, Treasurer

Jon Baxter

Clare Erickson

Pastor Floyd Lunde

Laura Martin

Pastor Jeremy Stephens

Center & Home Staff

Colleen Tronson,Executive Director

Andrea Cross,

Administrative Assistant

Keith & Meredith Henderson

AGH House Parents

Printed courtesy of Nystrom Publishing

Metro News

MWC babies graduateThis spring, Colleen had the

joy of attending two graduation

celebrations honoring babies

that were rescued fromabortion18 years ago!

Jennifer, pictured at right with

her son Taylor has a seizure

disorder. When she became

pregnant, she was advised to

abort due to some medication

she was taking. Thankfully, she

chose life.

Taylor, and other rescued kids,

are living reminders that they

were not blobs of tissue but real

human beings who are nowgrown up and heading off to

college.

It feels pretty incredible to wrap

your arms around a baby saved

from abortion. But when you

look upliterallyinto the face

of that same young man and get

a hug from him, it is the best!

Volunteersserving to make a differenceShannon Fure has served as

the coordinator for our resource

room, Blessingdales, for the

past two years. When she and

her family moved to Fairmont

this summer, Libby Owens

gladly agreed to take over.

Libby is doing a great job

organizing donations from Kids

Rack and from others who

generously donate baby items.

Shannon and Libbys passion for

organizing makes a difference!

Alicia Rouse (center) served

Tuesdays and Thursdays at the

Amazing Grace Home this past

winter. She graciously assisted

the women with Bible studies,

practical help, and friendship.

Alicias quiet, steady presence

was helpful as the womenlearned how to work through

conflict resolution issues and to

communicate with one another

and the staff. Alicias sharing of

her time made a difference!

Megan Wright joined us this

summer for her college intern-

ship from Liberty University.

Megan experienced one-on-one

advising with clients by working

through decision-making pack-ets about parenting or adoption.

She even got to be present at

the birth of a baby!

Megans family is now housing

a former AGH resident in their

home and that is making a big

difference for mom and baby!


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Directors Cornerby Colleen Tronson

[email protected]

Page 2 Metro News August 2013

Minnesotans must be doingsomething right because theNational Abortion RightsAction League (NARAL)published a report attemptingto discredit the good work ofMinnesotas Resource Cen-ters (PRCs).

The NARAL report

complains thatPRCs promote themyth that womenexperience post-abortion syndrome(PAS). They sayPAS is not a validproblem because expertshave not listed it in the Diag-nostics and Statistics Manual(DSM). One pro-choice web-site states:The most reliable indicator ofwhether a woman will experience

feelings of distress after anabortion is her emotionalstability before the abortion.

They are wrongly blaming thewoman by saying that if shehad been emotionally stablebefore she had an abortion,

she would be able to properlyhandle her babys death andthat any distress she experi-ences is due to previousemotional instability.

The women I see in my officefor post-abortion help, weep-ing with regret, are not emo-

tionally unstable;

they are grieving,and their distressis most certainlynot a myth.

I dont need aDSM listing tovalidate her pain

or to help me figure out howto help her; I need my BIBLE!Just as David could get norelief from his sin until he re-pented (Psalm 51), post-abortive women (and men)

can find the same reliefthrough Gods Word today.

The NARAL report also com-plains that PRCs provide in-accurate medical informationabout fetal development and

the risks of abortion in orderto delay or mislead womenwho are seeking abortions.

MWC provides information ofetal development and abor-tion methods via the state-approved booklet If You ArPregnant. By depicting thestages of fetal growth and

explaining abortion methodsand the associated risks, thisbooklet has encouragedmany women to chose life.

The real reason for NARALsangst is that PRCs are ahuge threat to the business oabortion. In 2008, NancyGibbs ofTime magazine citethe evidence that the quietcampaign for womens heartand minds conducted in crispregnancy centers around th

country, through phone bankand websites, is reducingabortion rates.

Proving again that womenneed support, not abortion.

The neural circuitry responsible for the most primitive

response to pain, the spinal reflux, is in place by 8 weeks of

development. This is the earliest point at which the fetus

experiences pain in any capacity. And a fetus responds just as

humans at later stages of development respond; by withdrawing

from the painful stimulus.

Maureen L. Condic, Ph.D.

University of Utah School of Medicine,

Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy,

Before the Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice.

Committee on the Judiciary, U.S. House of Representatives

May 23, 2013

Unborn baby feels pain 8 weeks after conception


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In Memory of:

Evelyn Westphal

by Rodney & Vernice Wetterlund

by Anonymous Donors

Vonne Jensonby Rodney & Vernice Wetterlund

by Anonymous Donors

Mary Carson

by Plymouth Industries, Inc.

In Honor of:

Ron & Dorothy Grandia

Grace Tuttle

Jon & Cheryl Tuttle

Craig & Reve Levang

Meg & Jake Flaming

Paul & Amy Levang

by Chris & Lindsay Levang

We praise God for:

new volunteers helping at

MWC and AGH.

babies born who were once

at risk of abortion.

opportunities to share Christ

with clients.

gifts of diapers, car seats,

meals, bus cards, Bibles,

and baby items for clients.

staff members at the Center

and Home who work to-

gether with a spirit of coop-

eration, compassion, and

humility

towards one another.

real growth and change in

our clients and in ourselves.

people who give sacrificially

of themselves over and

above what is requested.

the right people who come

forward at just the right time

for specific tasks.

We ask prayer for:

men and women to chose

life over abortion for their

unborn children this year.

parents who are making

decisions regarding parent-

ing or adoption for their

unborn children.

physical, emotional, and

spiritual protection for those

involved in this work, and

for their families.

spiritual refreshment from

the Word of God for staff

and clients.

discernment as decisions

are made about hiring a

Case Manager at AGH.

smooth transitions as new

staff come to serve at the

Center and AGH this fall.

journey mercies as staff

members travel this fall.

Gifts in memory & honor, praises & prayer requests

AGH women benefit from purity ceremonyI am my beloveds and my beloved is mine. Songs of Solomon 6:3

Women entering the AmazingGrace Home are offered anopportunity to examine theirlives in many areas. One area isGods plan for physical

intimacy. After reflecting on howthe misuse of this intimacy hasaffected their lives emotionally,physically, and spiritually, thewomen see evidence thatchange is neededfirst in their

hearts, and then in choices theymake about future relationships.

As a result, AGH regularly hostspurity ceremonies to encouragethese positive changes. Davidand Kate Haightgenerously donate silver purityrings for each woman.

During the ceremony, thefollowing four principles aboutpurity of body, mind, eyes, andheart are affirmed:

We desire to:

honor God with your bodiesFlee from sexual immorality. Allsins a person commits are out-side the body, but whoever sinssexually, sins against their ownbody. Do you not know that yourbodies are temples of the HolySpirit who is in you, who you havereceived from God? You are notyour own; you were bought at aprice. Therefore honor God withyour body. 1 Cor. 6:18-20

renew our minds for goodTherefore, I urge you, brothersand sisters, in view of Godsmercy, to offer your bodies as aliving sacrifice, holy and pleasingto Godthis is your true andproper worship. Do not conform tothe pattern of this world, but betransformed by the renewing ofyour mind. Then you will be ableto test and approve what Godsgood, pleasing and perfect will.Romans 12:1-2

turn our eyes from darknessThe eye is the lamp of the body.If your eyes are healthy, yourwhole body will be full of light. Butif your eyes are unhealthy, yourwhole body will be full of dark-ness. If then the light within you isdarkness, how great is that dark-ness! Matthew 6:22-23

guard our heartsAbove all else, guard your heart,for everything you do flows from

it. Proverbs 4:23The women are presented withtheir purity rings, and a prayer ofcommitment is offered. After theceremony, one women statedbluntly, I know I have beensettling for less than Gods bestin this area of my life. I am nowable, by Gods grace, to wait forHis best for me.

Thank you to Keith and Meredith

Henderson for their loving service

as resident house parents at AGH

this past year. Our AGH family motto

as become, Blessed are the

flexible, for they shall not be bent

out of shape.

After 11 months of operation, AGH

residents have given birth to seven

babies: five women are parentingand two have made adoption plans.

The residents have ranged in age

from 18 to 24; represent Asian,

African American, and Caucasian

ethnicities; and have diverse

economic and spiritual backgrounds.

Please continue to pray for our team

as we begin to add support staff and

rework our policies and procedures.


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Pennies pile up!Since the beginning of the

Change for Lifebaby bottle

campaign in 2004, over $8,000

in change has been provided for

the Amazing Grace Home.

These funds are used to provide

for the ongoing operating

expenses of the Home. To

volunteer or to become aChange for Life partner, call

(763)533-8642 or email:

[email protected].

Take noteConstant Contact

To keep you informed about the

ministry of MWC, the Center

sends email newsletters. The

newsletter is posted bi-weekly

and will come directly to your

inbox. To sign up, go to

MetroWomensCenter.org, click

the Contact Us button on the

left side of the screen, and enter

your email address in the Join

our mailing list sign up box.

Questions or comments?

[email protected].

United Way reminder

Consider MWC during your

corporations United Way

campaign. You can choose to

donate to any qualifying agency.

Metro Womens Center is not

endorsed, supported by, nor

in any way related to Greater

Twin Cities United Way. If you

wish to use the Donor Desig-

nated Option, write in Metro

Womens Center, 6418 Bass

Lake Road, Crystal, MN 55428.

It Was Just ABy Paris E. Moore

God never ceases to amaze me. Only he could have used my friend and her respect for life toreach me. I had no idea how dead I was inside. How broken and silent my emotions became

when he or she died. But there I stood a mess at best.

It had been at least ten years since I saw that ladybug riding in on a co-workers vest. My friend

noticed the ladybug right away. She reached out to save it that day. But to no avail, anotherco-worker was quicker and he smashed that ladybug, that's when they began to bicker.

"After all it's just a bug", he said. "Youre wrong! Life is life it's all precious. That ladybug was athing of beauty and didn't have to die today", was her reply.

She left that room in tears. She was so upset. I didn't know the death of a ladybug could causesuch distress. I followed her down the hall. "Are you really crying?" I called. "After all its just abug!", I said. I tried so hard to see her face. I could not believe that such a trivial, insignificant

act, the killing of a thing like that, could touch a person so deeply with pain.

It caused me to think. I tried to remember when I held anything so precious that I felt as thoughI could cry me a river. But I couldn't. It had been so long ago that I remembered cryen.

This moment was rapidly becoming uncomfortable. As though I had lived through it before. Thiswas making no sense. After all its just a bug! I left her alone and went back to work but I knew

in my heart that something about this moment was tearing me apart.

The phrase, "it's just a" began to stand out.

It didn't make sense until one day while watching TV. I saw a lady bathing a baby. That's whenit hit me. All of a sudden my heart no longer felt empty. I felt a warmth wash over me as I began

to cry. I finally allowed myself to remember the life that I once held inside.

He or she must have been beautiful and precious too. And like the ladybug was also a gift to us.But I didn't know that it was okay to let the baby stay. There were stronger influences in my life

that caused me to believe that way.

I esteemed them highly and trusted their advice. After all "its just a" there it was again.Its the phrase that nullifies the significance of a thing.

"It's not really a baby its just a blob of tissue", was the response of the lady in the clinicthat we went to. Surly she knew what was true. They all reassured me that abortion was

the right thing to do.

The arrangements had been made and I finally gave in. I agreed to allow the place that wassupposed too support life become a tomb. But its most commonly referred to as a womb.

Words and relationships became very empty places after that.

The people, that I previously highly esteemed, and I continued to interact but there was reallyno more to it than that.

Many years had gone by when I invited Jesus Christ in to my life. I was carrying so muchregret, guilt, grief, and sorrow but I had to accept responsibility for my actions no matter the

price. So I did. After all it was my ignorance that caused my baby to lose its life.

So I had a long talk with Jesus. I repented.

That's when I asked God to resurrect my emotions. Turns out they died with the baby duringthe abortion. It didn't bring my baby back and I knew that I would never forget again. As time

went on I learned to let go of the pain and allow myself to enjoy something as simple aslistening to the rain.

I looked out of the window today and saw a ladybug flying my way. I felt a smile forming on myface, my heart felt warm, and full of grace, and I knew for sure that my baby was with God.

They were letting me know that its okay to feel again and love. And I received it. And I cried.And I thanked God.


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Thursday, November 7, 2013Guest SpeakerPastor Bruce HenrySpecial MusicSteve and Michelle DouglasJohn Stephens

Plymouth Creek Center14800 34th Avenue NorthPlymouth, MNSilent Auction 5:30 - 6:45 p.m.

Fancy Dessert Buffet 6:30 - 7:00 p.m.

Program 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.

Annual Meeting 8:30 - 9:00 p.m.

All auction proceeds benefit the Amazing Grace Home. Like Metro Womens Center

on Facebook for a complete listing of auction items after November 1.Parking at Plymouth Creek Center Is free and the facility is handicapped accessible. No childcare facilities available.

Metro Womens Centers

23rdAnnual Celebration of Life

Defend ~ Restore ~ Shelter

Life


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Thankyou!

Would you like to go paper-less? If you would like to receive Metro News electronically and not through traditional snail mail, email the Center at:[email protected], We will remove your name from our paper newsletter list and add you to our Constant Contact email newsletter. From time to time you may

receive other mail from MWC. If you do not wish to continue receiving any communications from MWC, please notify the Center. Thanks for your help!

6418 Bass Lake Road

Crystal, MN 55428

If you are interested in becoming a

volunteer or arranging a presentation,

contact MWC at:

Phone: (763)533-8642 Fax: (763)533-5307

Email: [email protected]

Visit MWC on the web at:www.MetroWomensCenter.org

www.facebook.com/metrowomenscenter

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PERMIT NO. 4608

The purpose of the Metro Womens Center is to educate the community about pregnancy alternatives so that informed decisions concerning the outcome of a

pregnancy can be made. The Center places value on human life from conception forward and seeks to offer a compassionate Christian response to the needs o

those confronted with unplanned pregnancies. In presenting the love of Christ through its ministry, the Center does not discr iminate on the basis of race, creed

color, national origin, age, financial or marital status. The Centers services are free of charge.

23rdAnn

ualCe

lebratio

nofLi

feInfoIns

ide!

MWC Newsletter August 2013

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Transcript of MWC Newsletter August 2013