January 2017
By Jackie Bussert
LCMS Lutherans gathered with others from across the country January 27 to join the national March for Life in Washington, D.C. Sparked by the January 1973 Roe v. Wade decision that opened the door for widespread, legalized abortion in America, this march in the nation’s capital has sought to raise awareness and advocacy on behalf of the now 53 million lives lost since that Supreme Court decision 44 years ago. The first march was held in January 1977, making this year’s the 40th annual. When weather cooperates, the D.C. march draws tens of thousands.
But it wasn’t the only, or even the first, March for Life in the country this year. On Sunday, January 15, thousands gathered at Federal Plaza in Chicago to share a message of love and hope. It was the fourth Chicago March for Life and Lutherans from LCMS Northern Illinois District congregations were there in abundance. Illinois Right to Life, one of the organizers, estimated the Chicago March for Life crowd at more than 4,000 on a “balmy” 35-degree day. This year’s march drew people from at least seven states in the upper Midwest to share ideas and encouragement for supporting life under the theme, “Life Wins.”
Lori Trinche, a member at Trinity Lutheran Church, Burr Ridge, Illinois, spoke in a joint interview with District President Rev. Dan Gilbert on the LCMS St. Louis-based KFUO Radio station prior to the event. “People will be surprised; it is a very celebratory event,” she said, adding the goal is to get the word out there are better options than abortion. The NID contingent organized by the district’s Life Task Force carried a banner proclaiming “Love Affirms Life.”
Life speakers in Chicago included U.S. Representatives Dan Lipinski (3rd Dist.) and Peter Roskam (6th Dist.), and Pat McCaskey, co-owner of the Chicago Bears. Among religious leaders speaking to the crowd was Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison, president of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, who marched in Chicago (as he did again in D.C. January 27) with a group from LCMS Life Ministries in St. Louis. Harrison shared Scripture (1 John 3:18) to encourage the crowd, “Let us love not with lips or tongues but in deed and truth.”
Many Northern Illinois District congregations are involved in deeds to support life, with frequent collections and by volunteering at pregnancy centers like CareNet of DuPage County.
Some congregations have supportive ministries, like the Swaddling Clothes store at River of Life Lutheran Church in Channahon and the Baby Bank at Calvary Lutheran Church in Wood Dale, both of which serve primarily single moms.
The now-national Lutherans for Life Word of Hope ministry that helps women find compassionate Christian counsel and care after an abortion was started here in northern Illinois by Grace Kern (wordofhope.org; 630-990-0909).
The scarring from loss of a child, whether intentional or due to natural causes, is helped by MEND (Mothers Enduring Neonatal Death), a mother’s grief support group at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Schaumburg, and by an infant memory garden at Cross Lutheran Church in Yorkville.
The district Life Task Force (coordinator Rev. David Bottorff) provides ongoing educational seminars for church workers and members, and works with life advocates in congregations to help bring awareness of life issues and spur “deed and truth” in helping congregations address them. For more information about starting life ministry in your own congregation, contact him at St. John Lutheran Church, Darien, Illinois (pastor.dave@sjlcdarien.org; 630-969-7987).
Photos below: Some of the district’s LCMS church member marchers in Chicago.
