Presbyterians
Pro-Life

NEWS

Winter 2008
Click here to download PDF of entire newsletter

PPL elects John Sheldon President; re-affirms stated purpose
The Handiwork of God, by The Rev. Dr. James I. Lamb
True “Relief of Conscience” — Can it be accomplished?, by Laureen Bodnar
Where’s ROC?
Abortion and the Medical Benefits Plan of the Presbyterian Church (USA)
PARO is NOT the PC(USA) abortion policy, by Marie Bowenn
Woman to woman: Personally opposed, but…, by Marie Bowen
PPL Solicits Sermons

Summer 2007
(this is a pdf file. Click here for free Adobe Acrobat Reader.

PRESS RELEASE: PPL President, Don Elliott resigns
PC(USA) is out of step with its members and with society its “no legal restrictions on abortion” policy
Board of Pensions Medical Benefits Plan covers late-term abortions
Laureen’s Letters: What a relief!
God has blessed us with Hope! by Rick Negley
Our association with RCRC compounds our disunity on abortion, by Marie Bowen
From the President: I never thought I would do this, by Don Elliott
Woman to Woman: Let’s be perfectly clear!

Winter 2007
(this is a pdf file. Click here for free Adobe Acrobat Reader.)

• Is human life sanctified by the life-giving Spirit or the life-giving womb?
• Theology & Worship hosts end-of-life conference
• Family by choice: the adoption story of the Weaver family
• History of the end-of-life conference
• ACSWP re-write of human life paper secret
• "I believe in the resurrection of the body and the life everlasting"by Gerrit Dawson
• The issue that will not go awayby Don Elliott
• From Women's Lib to PPL: Schlossberg's story on DVD
• Woman to Woman: "Value Added"by Marie Bowen

Summer/Fall 2006
(this is a pdf file. Click here for free Adobe Acrobat Reader.)

• Action taken at the 217th GA should bring change on late-term abortion
• Removing barriers for families of disabled childrenby Janice Stallings
• Daniel Bolan tells adoption story to GA Committee
• PPL Report on the 217th General Assembly of the PC(USA)
• Driving the wedge
• A Season of Discernmentby Don Elliott
• Woman to Woman: What did God say? by Marie Bowen

Spring 2006
(this is a pdf file. Click here for free Adobe Acrobat Reader.)

• Mississippi Overture asks GA to affirm God alone is "author and giver" of life
• Laureen's Story
• Christian Faith and the issues of life: Life issues considered in context of the Apostles' Creed: "The Forgiveness of Sins" by Terry Schlossberg
• What Does Pro-Choice Really Mean? by Patricia Lee June, M.D.
• ACSWP recommendations will perpetuate ambiguity
• Presbyterians Pro-Life presents Mrs. Terry Schlossberg "Looking at Life in the Context of Our Faith" at the PPL-sponsored dinner at General Assembly
• Youth and Sexuality: How much information is too much and what is age appropriate?by Allison Waldschmidt
• PPL publishes new materials for youth on abortion and sexuality
• Woman to Woman: Women need God, the Father, by Marie Bowen

Winter 2006
(this is a pdf file. Click here for free Adobe Acrobat Reader.)

• Redstone Presbytery seeks protection of late-term babies in the womb
• Hope "Born on Christmas"
• Why PPL opposes a "health of the mother" exception for abortion
• Christian Faith and the issues of life: Life issues considered in context of the Apostles' Creed: "...The Holy Catholic Church, The Communion of Saints..." by Gerrit Dawson
• Serious issues will be addressed at the 217th G.A. in Birmingham, June 15-22
• Pro-life news
• This is the Church
• PC(USA)'s Stand on Capital Punishment While Supporting Abortion is Inconsistent, by Ben Sheldon, PPL President Emeritus
• From the President: Being Pro-Life in a Pro-Choice Church.... In The Last Days, by Don Elliott
• Do you know what to say to a post-abortive woman?
• The Advent of Hope, by Marie Bowen

Fall 2005
(this is a pdf file. Click here for free Adobe Acrobat Reader.)

• Actions to influence the future of the Presbyterian Church begin to emerge
• What the Presbyterian Church has said about abortion
• Pro-Life 101: There's really only one question
• Christian Faith and the issues of life: Life issues considered in the context of the Apostles' Creed "I believe in the Holy Ghost," by Terry Schlossberg
• Still Birth, by Charles Partee
• Abortion: the data is encouraging, but keep your eye on the numbers... and remember the importance of the moral voice of the church
• Pastoral counsel on the end of life
• War and Peace: Thoughts about J. Gresham Machen, by Don Elliott
• Woman to Woman: "R" words, by Marie Bowen

Spring/Summer 2005
(this is a pdf file. Click here for free Adobe Acrobat Reader.)

• Preparations for the protection of babies by the 2006 G.A. can start now
• Madeline's Crooked Heel, by L.V.
• Twelve ways your church can promote sexual abstinence before marriage
• The issues of life considered in the context of the Apostles' Creed: ...From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead..." by Gerrit Dawson
• Florida church adopts position on life
• What Terri Schiavo taught us about dying
• Advanced directives: Living wills or durable power of attorney?
• No G.A.? OK! By Don Elliott
• PPL calls new executive director
• Woman to Woman: Do something! By Terry Schlossberg

Winter 2005

• Efforts to preserve the lives of the unborn gain ground
• It's time for a change in denomination's position on abortion
• Samples of the historical position of the Church on abortion
• World's smallest baby will go home
• New abortion data from the CDC
• Laced straight, by Charles Partee
• Two Lives, by Andrew Carrick
• Christian Faith and the issues of life: Abortion considered in the context of the Apostles' Creed, "...He ascended into heaven and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty..." by Terry Schlossberg (Note: for previous articles in this series, click here)
• PPL position statement on stem cells
• Adopting a special needs child
• A call for help to our churches
• Woman to Woman: Courage by Terry Schlossberg

Fall 2004

• Nearly full-term babies left unprotected by General Assembly; G.A. yields mixed results on other life issues
• Other actions by the 2004 G.A.
• Studies show both success and approval for saving sex for marriage
• Christian Faith and the issues of life:Abortion considered in the context of the Apostles' Creed: "On the third day he rose again from the dead..." by Gerrit Dawson (Note: for previous articles in this series, click here)
• Why Embryo Stem Cells?
• When does a human life begin, really?
• Life in the news
• Calvin, election, baptism, and unborn babies
• From the President: Getting to the heart of the matter, by Don Elliott
• Woman to Woman: The real cost of abortion, by Terry Schlossberg

Spring/Summer 2004

• Abortion, sexuality, and family dominate G.A. agenda
• Six presbyteries seek G.A.'s opposition to late term abortion
• Partial birth abortion goes to court
• Presbytrians for GLARF: Postmodernism and [the legacy of the] 1991 sexuality report, by Philip E. Johnson
• Population problem: Explosion or Implosion?
• Overture wants "emergency contraception" available for young Presbyterian women
• Resources for women and men affected by abortion decisions will be available at G.A.
• Pope opposes withdrawing food and water
• Some facts about late term abortion
• From the President: II Chronicles: A book about reformation....today, by The Rev. Don Elliott
• Woman to Woman: How guilt changes the world, by Terry Schlossberg

Winter 2004

• Partial-birth abortion ban is passed by Congress, signed by President, and taken to court: Congress votes a third time to ban the procedure
• Synod administrative review committee finds Baltimore Presbytery discipline process in order
• Covenant Network announces strategy and G.A. families policy moving toward revision
• Preaching on Abortion
• Whence comes morality?, by Elizabeth Achtemeier
• Unity through exclusivity and Teens favor life
• Zelda, by The Rev. Winfield R. Jones
• Episcopal roal to nowhere: ECUSA's "Gay" Bishop Is Not Christianity's Future, by Mark Tooley
• Christian faith and the issues of life: Abortion considered in the context of the Apostles' Creed: "...And in Jesus Christ...who...suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried. He descended into hell...." by Terry Schlossberg
• From the President: The "R" Word, by The Rev. Don Elliott
• Woman to Woman: Great Ends, by Terry Schlossberg

Fall 2003

• G.A. affirms abortion decisions for late term babies who could live if born ; also Presbyterian physicians petition G.A. to protect babies late in pregnancy
• General Assembly continues to support a Christian view of sexuality and family
• G.A. declines to exclude payment for partial birth abortions
• Life issues in brief -- Stem Cell research: Source determines morality; Is abortion a solution for pregnancy resulting from sexual assault?; National polls show continued move toward a pro-life culture
• Dealing with thorns, by Elizabeth Achtemeier
• Eros and Thanatos, by James R. Edwards
• PPL announces new resource for abortion after-effects: Discovering Grace
• The Apostles' Creed and Abortion: "…And in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the virgin Mary…",by Gerrit Dawson
• From a YAD to the Church: Give babies in problem pregnancies a chance for life
• From the President: Losing another congregation,by Don Elliott
• Woman to Woman: Grace greater than all our sin, by Terry Schlossberg

Spring/Summer 2003

• General Assembly will be asked to protect mothers and their babies late in pregnancy (also this page: Calvin on the sixth commandment)
• Top issues before the 215th G.A.
• Deconstructing the church's constitution: Christ Church Burlington declares itself in constitutional compliance (also this page: John Calvin on Church Renewal)
• The truth about abortion: My story, by Susanne B.
• Some facts about late term abortion
• Christian faith and the issues of life: Abortion considered in the context of the Apostles' Creed, by Terry Schlossberg
• Choices, by Elizabeth Achtemeier
• From the President: Where is the spiritual leadership?, by Don Elliott
• What’s fair about this? by Jim Berkley, and Book Notice: The Rebirth of Orthodoxy: Signs of New Life in Christianity
• Woman to Woman: Good news for babies, by Terry Schlossberg

Winter 2003

• General Assembly needs to be asked to reconsider its position favoring late term abortion
• Youth sexuality curriculum continues to oppose constitutional standards: churches need to appeal to G.A. again!
• Nothing Personal, by Russell Saltzman
• Elizabeth Rice Achtemeier, who gave good confession of her faith in Jesus Christ before the world, now rests
• Two things for which I'm thankful, by Elizabeth Achtemeier
• Presbyterian physicians say late term abortions never necessary: send petition to General Assembly
• Abortion increases women’s mortality rate: mental illness also associated
• Take action!
• What if…? by Michael Johnston
• Christian faith and the issues of life: Abortion in the context of the Apostles' Creed - The Father Almighty, by Gerrit Dawson
• Presbyterians Pro-Life seeks associate director to expand ministry
• How the "Pro-Choice" view of abortion is expressed by the PC(USA)
• From the President: Another historic moment for PPL, by Don Elliott
• Woman to Woman: Little lambs and little children, by Terry Schlossberg

Fall 2002

• G.A. gives moral okay to abortion of babies who can live outside the womb, and Statements on late term abortion before the GA
• G.A. gives PC(USA) sexuality curriculum revision indefinite delay, and a few examples from the leader's guide
• More actions by the 214th General Assembly on issues of life
• The Unholy at the "Holy" Assembly, by Don Elliott
• Christian faith and abortion: A look at the issue in the context of the Apostles' Creed, by Terry Schlossberg
• Between the pillow and the pier, by Gerrit Dawson
• The church and the end of life
• Addressed by The Word: Theology, ethics and abortion, by Mark R. Patterson
• Woman to Woman: Being religious about abortion, by Terry Schlossberg
• Prisoners of hope, by Elizabeth Achtemeier

Spring/Summer 2002

• Abortion is a major issue at G.A. in 2002
• Will the PC(USA) continue as a people governed by a constitution?
• New books of note
• Consequences, by Elizabeth Achtemeier
• Denominational offices spurn direction of three G.A.'s and refuse to produce a biblically and confessionally faithful youth sexuality curriculum
• The detrimental effects of abortion on women
• Business is coming to G.A. that gives commissioners opportunity for reforms that benefit the Church
• Other issues before G.A. this year
• The Church needs to recover its belief in the blessing of marriage
• Facts about Abortion
• Woman to Woman: Where is grace when the chips are down? by Terry Schlossberg

Winter 2002

• Did the 1997 G.A. err in expressing "grave moral concern" about late term abortion?
• Presbyterians are looking for life beyond Amendment A
• Amendment H: No help to the Church
• There is still time to send overtures to the next General Assembly
• How beautiful are the ways of the heralds of life… by Elizabeth Achtemeier
• The Loneliest Decision
• Adult bone marrow stem cells transplant without rejection problems
• Will our denomination's sexuality curriculum be revised to teach biblical and confessional standards of sexuality?
• Abstinence programs in public schools prove effective
• Confessing the Faith…as we enter the new year by Don Elliott
• WOMAN TO WOMAN: Abortion--An indictment of the church by Terry Schlossberg

Fall 2001

• Amendment A asks the church to say sex outside of marriage is no longer sin
• Amendment A is not about sex?
• You are needed to preserve a faithful witness from the church on sexual behavior: Help defeat Amendment A
• Amendment H will rewrite the Book of Order on Ordination
• 2001 General Assembly acts to continue support for abortion
• PPL issues statement on stem cell research
• General Assembly falls short theologically
• Changes to the rules affect the church at every level
• Two things for which I'm thankful, by Elizabeth Achtemeier
• What should the Church say about abortion of babies approaching full term?; Late term abortion policy recommendation coming to next G.A
• G.A. rejects move for end of life policy; calls for pastorally-focused discussion
• Death for most is with family: peaceful and painless
• G.A. establishes task force on "Theological clarification"
• Woman to Woman: "Will God forgive me for this?" by Terry Schlossberg 

Winter 2001

• Amendment O preserves the Christian understanding of marriage
• The need to recover the worth of a child in the Year of the Child
• Lesslie Newbigin: Defender of life
• Board of Pensions says it will pay for RU-486 abortions
• Elizabeth Achtemeier - Food for Thought
• Holland legalizes euthanasia
• Notes on dying in the U.S.
• PPL explores pastoral response to decisions at the end of life
• The church and the teaching of sexuality
• ACSWP agenda includes abortion and euthanasia
• Renewal leaders not seeking a "third way"
• Renewal is advanced through the overture process
• Terry Schlossberg - Woman to Woman: "Am I pro-life?"

Fall 2000

• Abortion policy implementation set back by General Assembly
• Thomas Torrance: The unborn human person is at the heart of the Gospel's message
• The Virgin Birth and the Unborn
• Elizabeth Achtemeier - The Year of the Child
• General Assembly Actions
• ACSWP will study and recommend PC(USA) policy on late-term abortions
• Recent surveys show decline in teen sexual activity
• Have you thought about the PC(USA) without the witness of PPL?
• Terry Schlossberg - Woman to Woman: Applying for life

Winter 2000

• The Rev. Gerrit Dawson - The unity of the body and the soul in the unborn
• Doors, Julie's story told by husband Matt
• Candace Adams - The call to adoption
• Eight steps a congregation can take to support families who adopt older and special needs children
• Elizabeth Achtemeier - Knowing what we are doing
• ACSWP seeks to redefine General Assembly abortion policy
• A short history of the Presbyterian Church on abortion: Part 2
• Don Elliott - From the President of PPL: Stewardship of life
• Terry Schlossberg - Woman to Woman: Passing on the truth

Fall 1999

• Eminent theologian points toward reformed understanding of unborn
• Kathy's abortion
• Worthless? A nine-year-olds perspective
• G.A. calls for discussion of the unity we have in our diversity; recommends using Historic Principles
• A short history of the Presbyterian Church on abortion: Part I
• YAD's testimony on The Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice (RCRC)
• Elizabeth Achtemeier - The "Women of Faith" awards
• Terry Schlossberg - Woman to Woman: Restoring "lost innocence"

• Advancing the "Great Ends of the Church": a measure for GA business
• What became of the pro-life balance on abortion in the Presbyterian Church?
• Overture offers opportunity for the Church to become actively involved in adoption
• Teaching our children the biblical message about their sexuality
• PC(USA) women's groups select lesbians as "Women of Faith"
• Should an interfaith lobby speak for Presbyterians in the public square?
• Terry Schlossberg - PHEWA's view of inclusiveness and of implementing General Assembly policy
• Elizabeth Achtemeier - Collision
• Donald A. Elliott - From the President: Our sacred trust
• Terry Schlossberg - Woman to Woman: "How can these things be?"
• What do Presbyterians believe about discipline?

• Children need the Church's active support for adoption
• Infanticide: A desperate need for the Church's message and ministry
• Terry Schlossberg - Woman to Woman: The politics of the spiritual life
• "Relief of Conscience" on abortion: How to make it work"

• Elizabeth Achtemeier - Comfort and Responsibility
• Terry Schlossberg - Moral Confusion?
• Terry Schlossberg - Woman to Woman: We have a new baby

 Board Of Pensions adopts "relief of conscience" process (Winter 1998 and Fall 1998)
Donald A. Elliott - The healing of the Church (Winter 1998)

Elizabeth Achtemeier - Good News! (Fall 1997)

Religious Coalition advises women to find "Your Own Truth" (Spring 1996)
Donald A. Elliott - PPL: What is our conviction? (Spring 1996)
Terry Schlossberg - Woman to Woman: "Personing the issue" (Spring 1996)
June Ring - The Church's response to an adoption-resisting culture (Spring 1996)

The slippery slope: Euthanasia and assisted death (Spring-Summer 1994)

Statement opposes euthanasia: "Always to Care, Never to Kill" (Winter 1993)

Terry Schlossberg - How does Christianity regard the vulnerable? Who was Nancy Cruzan? Who is Christine Busalacchi? Where is the Church? (Spring 1991)

Timothy Bayly - Teach the children well (April/May/June 1989)