MWC's 21st Annual Ministry Celebration & Silent Auction Thursday, November 3rd

We are getting really excited for our annual ministry celebration and silent auction! You can sign up to come to this free event at www.metrowomenscenter.org (click on '21st annual ministry celebration').

You can see pictures of all the silent auction items here. Funds from the auction will go to the Amazing Grace maternity home fund.

Adoption Council of Minnesota Needs Your Stories

AOCM will be launching their "30 Stories in 30 Days" effort on Monday. The goal is to post one adoption story for each of the 30 days of November, which is adoption awareness month. The stories will appear in the Minnesota Loves Adoption online scrapbook.

Would you be willing to submit your story to us for publication in the scrapbook? We've encouraged many people to share their stories, so we have a few to work with before we really start promoting the program. The story only needs to be 500 words or less, and it can have a picture with it or even be a poem about your experience. We also want stories from family or friends who have walked through an adoption experience with someone. You can submit your story anonymously or share your name if you so choose.

You can read more about the 30/30 effort by visiting minnesotalovesadoption.org.

Annual Report and Calendar Available

You can view MWC's 2010-2011 annual report and calendar here.

To order hard copies, email info@metrowomenscenter.org and include your mailing address. A limited number of copies are available.

Common Scenario:

Man (to pregnant woman): If you get an abortion, I will
A) get out of your life and never bother you again
or
B) never leave you.

In this scenario, these are helpful things (along with scripture) to point out to the pregnant woman:

1. You can always get another boyfriend, but you can never have this particular baby again.

2. If you choose abortion, you are getting rid of the wrong person. It would be wiser to rid yourself of the person who is asking you to kill your baby to please him, rather than to abort the child. Anyone who would ask you to choose himself over your child does not love you.

3. Tell him that you will get an abortion if he will lie on the table next to you and have them remove a “body part” of your choice. Ridiculous? Yes! Thought provoking? Absolutely!

Just some thoughts that may cause her to think and also help her to realize that her thinking is focused on pleasing him and not on obeying God!

When Salt and Light Meet Fear and Selfishness

You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:13-16 (NKJV)

Reflecting on the past year of ministry is causing me to think about two things: the incredible self-centeredness of human beings and the incredible generosity of human beings. One group refuses to sacrifice 9 months of their lives so another human being can live, and the other asks what more can I sacrifice so that a human being can live?

I remember being part of the first group when I had three abortions in my late teens and early twenties. I remember the fear that drove me to the self-protective choice of abortion. I remember coming to the realization with my 4th pregnancy that there was someone else involved in my crisis -- my unborn child -- who I had failed to consider. I remember being touched by the human beings in the second group, those who said, "We can help you, you can live with us, we will provide for you, we will sacrifice our comfort and convenience for the sake of you and your baby."

I understand the fears and concerns of women in difficult pregnancy situations, but I have seen, first-hand, how the sacrifice of the second group can impact the self-centerness of the first (me included). When we as Christians act as "salt and light" in our communities, beautiful things happen -- things like life and friendship and faith and hope.

It is possible; I have lived it.

October is Pastor Appreciation Month!

I appreciate pastors who speak the truth about life from the pulpit and who encourage people to be actively pro-life as a Christian responsibility to care for those in need. Thanks to the pastors of MWC's 27 supporting churches who are leading by example! Thanks to these pastors and others who stand for those who cannot stand for themselves!

Ambassador Baptist Church, Pastor Bruce Henry, Shoreview, MN
Berean Baptist Church, Pastor Cary Flinck, Brooklyn Park, MN
Bible Baptist Church, Pastor Thomas Yauch, Farmington, MN
Boy River Log Chapel, Pastor Dennis Gonczy, Boy River, MN
Calvary Baptist Church, Pastor Randy Charlton, Chatfield, MN
Chisago Lakes Baptist Church, Pastor Kraig Keck, Chisago City, MN
Coon Rapids Baptist Church, Coon Rapids, MN
Cornerstone Baptist Church, Pastor David Rogers, Willmar, MN
Faith Baptist Church, Pastor Julian L. Suarez, Saint Paul, MN
Fellowship Baptist Church, Pastor Keith Hedges, Brooklyn Center, MN
First Baptist Church, Pastor Steve Brower, Saint Francis, MN
First Baptist Church, Pastor Gene Witte, Waterville, MN
Fourth Baptist Church, Pastor Matt Morrell, Plymouth, MN
Grace Baptist Church, Pastor Shadrak Vork, Stillwater, MN
Grace Baptist Church, Pastor Clarke Poorman, Waseca, MN
Liberty Baptist Church, Pastor Don Odens, Eden Prairie, MN
Lighthouse Baptist Church, Pastor Loren Bjokne, Cottage Grove, MN
Normandale Baptist Church, Pastor Chuck Raichert, Bloomington, MN
Oakdale First Baptist Church, Pastor V. Richard Jensen, Saint Paul, MN
Oakwood Church, Pastor David Sheppard, Saint Paul, MN
Parkers Lake Baptist Church, Pastor Craig Muri, Plymouth, MN
Pine River Baptist Church, Pastor St. Michael, Pine River, MN
Southview Baptist Church, Pastor Jeremy Stephens, Richfield, MN
Sunrise Bible Church, Pastor David Stertz, North Branch, MN
Victory Baptist Church, Pastor Wayne Maupin, Osseo, MN
West River Road Baptist Church, Pastor Floyd Lunde, Brooklyn Park, MN
Woodcrest Baptist Church, Pastor Mark Poorman, Fridley, MN