Teachers Saving Children® Inc. - National
Newsletter
Volume 8, Number 4
April 1998
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"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven."
The following devotional thought by Catherine D. Cattell is a beautiful reminder of the Lord's presence during the various seasons of our lives. May we reflect on these thoughts and be reminded that the presence of the Master, who can give to us the "peace of God which passeth all understanding" (Philippians 4:7) whether the tempest is raging or the sea is calm, is always there during every "season" that the pro-life movement encounters.
(Source: Over the Teacup by Catherine D. Cattell)
Every season has its charm; every season has its peril. If it isn't record cold, it is record hot, or record floods, or some other scourge like Japanese beetles! This summer it was hot, and we have been experimenting with fans in the attic, fans in the basement, fans everywhere, trying to keep a steady temperature - a bearable one, in the house.
It is not easy to keep an even temperature in arctic cold or tropical heat. There are chills of loneliness, heats of strife and misunderstanding, floods of grief, or shocks of sudden changes. It can easily be stormy weather when things go the opposite way to our desires, whether in church affairs or in family affairs. For most of us there is no way of escaping to a better "climate". We have to cope and walk through each season as it comes along, trying to keep the tempers, if not temperatures, even, and winds calm.
It takes courage to build again when all is lost, either materially, or emotionally, or spiritually. There are miracles of this kind of courage all around us. There is a secret.
Remember when the disciples were in a terrible storm on the lake and were about to sink? You know, Jesus was walking to them on the very waves that nearly capsized the boat. He came closer, got in the boat with His disciples, and all was calm. The whole lake calmed down. I guess other little boats on the lake at the same time, in the same storm, were glad that Jesus was somewhere around, and was in charge of things! I'm sure the disciples were glad to have Him inside!
Whatever the season that lies before you next, hot, cold, windy, wet, or dry, I do hope that you will experience the secret - the presence of the Master, who, when the tempest is raging, is able to say, "Peace be still," and produce it!
Pennsylvania: On Saturday, March 21, the Board of Trustees of TSC of PA, Inc. held their Spring meeting in State College, PA. During the meeting, we discussed what actions will be taken within the next six months, as well as long term activities. The TSC of PA newsletter is in the workings, as well as our own brochure. Members who have expressed an interest in becoming active will be contacted to see if they are willing to distribute brochures within their district. As our membership grows, we realize that most of our growth is done by word of mouth, and what better instrument to use than our own TSC of PA brochure to introduce new members to our ever important organization. Plans have also been made to set up a booth and place an advertisement in the program at the PA Pro-Life Convention scheduled for Saturday, September 19, 1998 in Harrisburg. While the set-up of our new chapter is taking some time, we thank all those who have shown us support and kept us in their prayers. We are open to ideas and suggestions, and if you would like some Pennsylvania TSC brochures to pass around and give to your colleagues, please contact us at TSC of PA, Inc., PO Box 214, Pen Argyl PA 18072, or at our new email address: tscofpa@usa.net.
Ohio: The Ohio TSC Board of Trustees met in Columbus Ohio on Monday, February 16, 1998. The Board elected officers for the 1998-99 year and discussed several matters of business and strategy. The main thrust of the organization at this time is to seek ways to spread the word about TSC to more places within our state. If you would like some Ohio TSC brochures to give to your friends and colleagues, please contact us at TSC Inc. of Ohio, PO Box 125, Damascus, OH 44619.
Other States: Although the time for formal application may not occur until later, there is definite potential for an affiliate state chapter within other states. As we continue to work with state leadership, we ask for your prayers and your patience. The process seems very slow, especially within an "instant-minded" culture. However, TSC believes in doing everything "above board" from the very beginning. This not only helps the integrity of the organization, but also helps the organization to have greater impact. If you are interested in getting a TSC Affiliate State Chapter started in your state, please contact TSC for further information.
1. Elections of Officers of the Board for the 1998-99 fiscal year were held. Connie Bancroft will serve as the Executive Director; Gary Winney will serve as the Assistant Executive Director; Lisa Rudloff will serve as Secretary; David Kaiser will serve as treasurer.
2. The Copyright/Trademark Registration has been received for the Teachers Saving Children® name and logo.
3. The Board of Trustees discussed several different public relation strategies. The Board will consider changing the publicity brochure and other publicity materials to help educate teachers about the benefits of TSC and the services provided.
Membership: As of April 1, 1998, there are 357 paid TSC members. This is an increase over last year and the number of interested individuals in the database continues to grow. TSC membership is open to all pro-life/pro-family educators and concerned citizens. Contributions and memberships are NOT tax deductible. Please note that according to the TSC Constitution & Bylaws, the membership year is from September 1 - August 31. Our membership drive for the 1998-99 membership year will begin June 1st. Renewal membership information will be sent to all current members in early July.
Internet Access: The expense of having a TSC website is greater than what our organization can handle at the present time. However, the Ohio Right to Life Website has included the TSC brochure and membership form as part of its website items. To the extent feasible, ORTL will include TSC articles and other important information from time to time. The following internet addresses should be very helpful to all you internet users.
To access the Min Ohio Right to Life Website: www.ohiolife.org
To access the TSC brochure/membership form: www.ohiolife.org/people/tsc.htm
To access the ORTL Webpage of "Abortion: Youth and Education" which will include both access to the TSC brochure/membership form and articles: www.ohiolife.org/youth/youth.htm
These principles, once complete, will be placed before delegates to the 1998 Representative Assembly for a secret-ballot vote. Approval of these principles by the NEA and AFT conventions this summer would commit the two organizations to creating a new, united organization.
The April NEA Today will feature detailed information about the proposed unity principles, but you don't have to wait until late March - when that issue hits mailboxes - to learn more about the principles that will come before RA delegates this July.
Now upon the World Wide Web is full and up-to-date information about the unity proposals, plus cyber spaces where you can ask questions and make comments about them. The direct Web address: www.nea.org/unity.
If you don't yet have Web access, check your local UniServe office. All UniServe offices have been mailed printed progress report material."
Although the law itself deals with a wide range of issues, it concludes with a powerful inclusion that authorizes Congress to appropriate $50 million annually for five years for abstinence education to help prevent nonmarital pregnancies and sexually transmitted disease, both of which are widespread among welfare recipients. Known as Title V Maternal and Child Health funds, these monies will be channeled through the Department of Health and made available to states in the form of block grants.
To circumvent the abstinence education funds from being used for promoting anything but sexual abstinence outside marriage, the welfare reform law contains eight clear requirements for abstinence education programs, including:
* Teaches abstinence from sexual activity outside marriage as the expected standard for all school age children;
* Teaches that abstinence from sexual activity is the only certain way to avoid out-of-wedlock pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, and other associated health problems;
* Teaches that a mutually faithful monogamous relationship in context of marriage is the expected standard of human sexual activity...
"Safer sex" proponents have actively tried to undermine this legislation and its strong abstinence definition. These proponents publicly characterize abstinence programs as not effective and "safer sex" programs as highly effective, though research does not support this public relations campaign.
The block grant application deadline for the states was July 15, 1997. All 50 states have applied and have been approved to receive abstinence education block grant monies. The state contacts for welfare reform act funding varies from state to state, but these agencies are associated with the Department of Health. These state agencies will determine how that block grant money will be used within that particular state.
Funds may still be available through your state agency. Educators and school districts who wish to ensure that abstinence education is included in their school's sex education curriculum are encouraged to contact their state Health agency to seek an opportunity to apply for funds under the abstinence education block grant.
For more information, contact the Medical Institute for Sexual Health, PO Box 162306, Austin, TX 78716; 1-800-892-9484; e-mail: mish@worldnet.att.net; website: www.mish.org.
(Source: From Ed Facts, 6/13/97, A Publication of Family Research Council; Education Matters, March 1998, A Publication of the Association of American Educators; and The Medical Institute for Sexual Health.)
Many individuals are unaware of Planned Parenthood's agenda. LDI publishes a brochure - "Planned Parenthood: Speaking for Itself" - which quotes directly from Planned Parenthood advertisements, publications, and leaders. The quotations will leave individuals stunned as information is given regarding what Planned Parenthood really stands for and what its leaders really believe about key issues such as abstinence education, parental rights, and abortion. To receive a complimentary sample of this brochure, send a self-addressed, stamped (32-cent return US postage), number 10 envelope.
LDI publishes a BOYCOTT LIST that identifies corporate supporters of Planned Parenthood. Though a revised list is not published on a regular schedule, historically it has been published two to six times per year.
For a list of corporate supporters of Planned Parenthood, including their products, services, subsidiaries, names of chief executive officers, addresses, phone numbers, and information about the boycott, please send a $5.00 donation ($7.00 Canadian), along with a self-addressed, stamped (55 cent for US or 63 cent in US postage stamps for Canada), business-size [#10 - 4 1/8 x 9 1/2 only, please] envelope to: Life Decisions International, PO Box 907, Washington DC 20044-0907. If you are unable to enclose the envelope as requested, please send a $6.00 donation. The requested donation for additional (after the first) lists is $1.75 each; plus an additional 23 cents in US postage for each additional list. An envelope is not necessary for orders of four or more, but please send [do not affix] postage as described herein. Please allow one to five weeks for delivery.
Ignorance about this successful boycott is the greatest ally of corporate supporters of Planned Parenthood. Please help spread the word about this project.
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