Partners for Life News, May 12 2008

This is very exciting for me as the Associate Director of PPL to be writing the FIRST Enews to our Partners for Life Churches. We rolled out our Partners For Life program such a short time ago and to date we have twelve partner churches and list is growing weekly. Some of you may not even have your initial letter and packet yet but be assured it will arrive shortly. God is good!

There are many things to share, but I will try not to overwhelm you with information.

PPL is preparing for General Assembly

PPL is busy preparing for our mission at the 218^th General Assembly in San Jose, CA in June. We have about 28 folks on the GA team but there is still room for you. If you or anyone from your congregation is attending GA and would like to be part of our team, we would be blessed if you could join us.

As a PPL team member, a Commissioner to GA, and an Overture Advocate from the Pittsburgh Presbytery, I have been swamped with hundreds of papers, reports, and overtures to read. I'm learning so much! I read morning, noon and night. Marie, with her great wisdom and years of GA experience under her belt has been my personal educational angel and her insight is marvelous. Marie is also an Overture Advocate from the Pittsburgh Presbytery and as soon as she steps off the plane in CA, it will be mission in action!

Resources for your church

Relief of Conscience

First, I would like to call your attention to our booklet Abortion and the Medical Benefits Plan. This was included with your welcome letter and packet and if your church is not a Relief on Conscience church, it's a MUST READ. It is the only resource available that explains the history of abortion policy in the PC (USA), what the ROC program is, and how to obtain it. The booklet is downloadable from the PPL website by clicking on the link below.

http://www.ppl.org/MedBenPlan_2002.html

As a partner church, we recommend that you take this booklet to your session and ask them to prayerfully consider becoming a ROC church if your church has not yet applied for ROC. Obtaining ROC and having your session make a pledge to cherish life is not only right in God's eyes but a witness to the PC (USA) denomination.

Loving Arms Ministry

Second, I'd like to share a link to a wonderful pro-life ministry of one of our partner churches, FPC in Sparta, NJ. Their ministry is called Loving Arms Ministry. It provides housing and loving care to women with unplanned pregnancies. You can learn more at their website.