It's Almost Coerced Abortion Awareness Week

5 Steps to Get Involved

Dear Friends,

If you haven't already, please join the Elliot Institute's Church Awareness Project. You'll receive a free book and supporting resources. Your packet will include The Jericho Plan: Breaking Down the Walls Which Prevent Post-Abortion Healing, written by Elliot Institute Director Dr. David Reardon. This book will educate and help your pastors and church leaders. It shows them how to teach and preach about pre- and post-abortion issues in a unifying and compassionate way.

April 15-22, 2012

Our second annual Coerced Abortion Awareness Week is Sunday, April 15 through Sunday, April 22. 

Teens, women, men and families in your own church have been hurt by or are at risk of coercion, unwanted or forced abortions and post-abortion grief surrounding their own or another's abortion. Whether it was days, years or decades ago, most still feel the loss.

Participation is simple:

The steps listed below will help you get started. Simply join the Church Awareness Project and pass along your free book and other materials you'll receive to your pastor and other leaders. The book is in digital (pdf) format. No special e-reader is needed.

1. Go here to sign up for the project and get a free copy of The Jericho Plan with our Church Leader's Kit. Then, give it to your pastor or other leaders in your faith community. The Church Leader's Kit includes a letter to your pastor or other leaders, a free book -- The Jericho Plan: Breaking Down the Walls Which Prevent Post-Abortion Healing, and other materials.

2. Pledge to share the book and materials with your pastor and other leaders. Having the support of church leaders is crucial to making this effort effective. Let us -- and other participants -- know you are Sharing the Book and Kit by visiting our Pledge page.

How to share the book and kit you'll receive when you sign up:

• Email the entire book and kit to them, or
  
• Give them the Church Leader's Letter and e-book (pdf/no e-reader necessary) by email, mail or in person, or
  
• Get two hard copies, with a donation of $20 or more, to share by mail or in person.
  

Customize the enclosed cover letter or include your own message telling them about new evidence and encouraging them to participate.

3. Ask your pastor to learn more, and to teach and preach about these issues from the pulpit, especially during Coerced Abortion Awareness Week (this includes two Sundays to help churches plan events at a time that works best for them).

4. Read these materials yourself and share them with others in your church. Work together to find ways to put some of the ideas in The Jericho Plan book and other project ideas on our blog into practice in your church.

Your kit will include other resources to raise awareness of these issues and offer help and healing to others. These materials include flyers and ads you can use in many ways:

• bulletin or newsletter stuffers,
• ads or messages in bulletins,
  
• posted on bulletin boards,
  
• handouts in person or as leave-behinds,
• additions to literature racks or tables,
  
• reprinted in church publications,
• shared via social media,
• posted on your web site or blog, or other sites,
  
• testimonies that can be read or shared
• help, healing and educational resources for those being coerced or already hurt by abortion 
  

Available resources also include sample letters to the editor. If your church will be offering help and healing ministries, you can also write letters or place ads to invite the public.

5. Donate to support this work. Receive two free hard-copy books for donations of $20 or more. As a thank you, when you donate $20 or more you'll receive two printed copies of The Jericho Plan -- one for yourself and the other for your pastor or other church leaders. (If you already have a copy, donate both copies to leaders in your church or the church library.) 

Tell a Friend or Partner with Like-Minded Groups

Remember, Coerced Abortion Awareness Week is Sunday, April 15 through Sunday, April 22. If you haven't already, Join the Church Awareness Project to receive your free e-book and Church Leaders Kit. If you have signed up, tell a friend or ask another church or organization to join you.

Links to Resources You'll Need

We encourage you, your faith leaders, and all the members of your church or faith group to participate. We want to shed light on new evidence and hidden issues. This is an opportunity to speak up, defend the rights of others, provide support, and offer help, hope and healing.

If you've already signed up, here are handy links to helpful resources:

Letter to Participants
List of Activities and Ideas for Coerced Abortion Awareness Week
Complete List of Church Awareness Project & Coerced Abortion Awareness Week Resources

Thank you and may God bless your willingness to "light one candle!" Remember to post about your participation, ideas and experiences on our blog!