Teachers Saving Children® Inc. - National

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Volume 11, Number 6
August 2001

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FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Connie Bancroft


"...One sows and another reaps..."
                        -John 4:37

For me summer is time for gardening. Gardening takes time and hard work. Tiny seeds must first be planted in the ground. Sunshine, water, and minerals help these plants to grow. Cultivating the soil is also important. Eventually the harvest comes. It may take a short time for the increase and beauty to occur like with my vegetable garden, or it may take years like a tall redwood in the forest. But when the harvest does come, we are thankful for the beautiful results.

Recently I read an article about sowing and reaping entitled, "What's the Use? If no one responds, it doesn't mean you've failed" by Tim Downs (Discipleship Journal, Issue 119, Sep/Oct 2000). So often when we don't see certain "results" immediately, we begin to feel that all of our labor has been in vain and that we have failed. Too often, we desire the results without being willing to take the time in preparing for the harvest.

Before sowing can even begin, cultivating must take place. Cultivating is the process of preparing the soil to sustain life. A good sower recognizes that certain soil elements are necessary for producing fruit. In the same way, we must recognize through daily conversations with our colleagues what elements are needed in an individual's life for the seeds of life to be planted. Then the planting can begin. Planting the seeds of life is an art. It takes skill to introduce topics and information into a conversation in a way that is unobtrusive. We must learn to ask good questions and seek to build dialogue rather than debate as we share the message of life.

Nurturing is simply being a good gardener. A gardener has no power to make things grow; rather a good gardener maintains the optimum conditions for growth by hoeing, watering, cultivating, fertilizing, etc. It takes time to nurture the plants and to do all the "behind-the-scenes" work to help produce positive results. It is difficult work, but without the sower's preparations and continued daily work, the reaper will have nothing to harvest.

Though different, sowing and reaping are complementary activities requiring different skills, yet both seeking the same ultimate goal. In the article previously mentioned, the author uses John 4:36-38 to show four principles of the sower and how important it is to be a sower, not just one who reaps. These four principles are 1) The labor of ministry includes both sowing and reaping; 2) The reaper's success depends on the work of the sower; 3) The sower has the harder job; and 4) The sower and the reaper work as a team. Being a sower is just as important as being the reaper.

As I have reflected over the many years that Teachers Saving Children® has been in existence, I praise the Lord for those small golden opportunities that come when the seeds can be planted in the hearts and lives of individuals. I praise Him for how He has changed my heart in the way that I perceive the importance of reaching out to lives that need to hear the pro-life message. Especially over the past couple of years I, as well as the TSC Board of Trustees, have sensed that the Lord was saying "plant positive seeds and let me take care of producing the fruit (or the results)."

We at TSC are continuing to sow positive seeds. We have changed our slogan to "A Voice for LIFE in Education"; thus becoming a positive voice for life rather than being adversarial in fighting for life. We have reworded the purpose statement so that our primary focus is to establish "a respect for all human life from conception to natural death."

We have spent time planting seeds these past two years through the exhibit "The Wonder of Life" where educators have seen how special and wonderful the development of human life in utero really is. Pro-life delegates to state and national representative assembles have planted positive seeds by standing boldly in making statements about the sanctity of life in front of hundreds and thousands of delegates.

Many positive seeds have been planted by seeing individuals in a different way - seeing hardened hearts that need softening through loving positive sowing. TSC is finding that being more positive and loving rather than negative and adversarial is drawing more individuals to us; thus giving us more opportunity to share about the sanctify of life.

In conclusion, I want to publicly accept the position of Executive Director of TSC Inc - National and its state affiliate, TSC Inc. of Ohio, for another year. I praise God for allowing me to be used through this ministry opportunity to save the lives of preborn children - His creation and masterpiece. I thank both Boards of Trustees for their continued confidence in me to administer and lead this organization. Each Board member as well as myself must find the time to volunteer for the day-to-day functions and all the activities of TSC alongside our normal teaching and personal responsibilities. I appreciate each Board member's support, wisdom, and time as decisions and strategies are made and carried out during the year.

Finally, we all appreciate the participation, suggestions, prayers, and support of each TSC member. Let us not be discouraged when we fail to see immediate results. Instead, remember that sometimes it takes a lifetime for the seeds planted to take root and grow. The beautiful and bountiful harvest of lives being saved will be worth all the time and effort taken to plant those seeds. Please continue to help us plant positive seeds as we reach out to individuals with the truth about the sanctity of life. Thank you!


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NEA REPRESENTATIVE ASSEMBLY 2001

You Are There!

Judy Bruns, NEA Delegate

You are there. It is the 2001 NEA Representative Assembly in Los Angeles, California. You and others have submitted several pro-life amendments at the Resolutions Open Hearings and have presented your rationales at microphones to the 300-400 people present. You know what to expect because of past experiences--and it happens predictably--The Resolutions Committee again refuses to take your amendments to the full body of the Representative Assembly. Though you know some of the pro-lifers plan to put a hold on Resolution I-12 (The Family Planning section of Resolutions) during the general session of the Representative Assembly and that they will try to speak to their sponsored amendment, you decide to try something different. Too often you have been at the microphone in the general session, ready to speak to the approximately 10,000 people in attendance, when the speaker preceding you, the first pro-lifer to step up to the microphone, has been slammed with an "object to consideration"; the Resolutions are accepted "as is," and you have no opportunity to present your case. So, this time, you decide to pursue a different course of action...New Business Items.

It takes 50 delegate signatures to qualify a New Business Item (NBI) for discussion on the NEA Representative Assembly floor (NEA Standing Rule 6K). ALL New Business Items are printed in the daily RA Today, distributed to each of the thousands of delegates in attendance. You frantically travel from one state delegation to another on the assembly floor until you have 50 signatures for each of your 2 New Business Items. Your NBIs are different. They don't challenge the words "reproductive freedom," which lock in abortion to NEA policy; one of your NBIs deals with eliminating the baby's pain during an abortion, and the other NBI deals with safeguarding the life of a baby who is aborted alive. You get the signatures of both pro-life and "pro-choice" delegates! All NBIs and signatures have to be in by 12 noon on the second day of the Representative Assembly (NEA Standing Rule 6K). You finish getting the 100 total signatures for your two NBIs at 11:40 AM, twenty minutes before the deadline, and, inside, you praise God with every step as you walk to the stage area to turn in your NBI papers. You made the deadline, and though you know that the radical pro-abortionists at the assembly will most certainly oppose discussion of your NBIs, you, as the maker of the motion, are now guaranteed the opportunity to speak, to educate others on the pro-life issue through your spoken words to the delegates AND through your printed words in the delegates' RA Today daily newspaper. Though you know you will again be "shot down" by the extremists, every little step counts in making the NEA delegates more aware, more accountable on the life issue.

It's a long wait, but the moment arrives. For the sake of time and delegates' fatigue, NBI speakers have been reduced from two to one-minute speeches, so your speech must be downsized to half. You're up...

"Judy Bruns, Ohio, speaking as an individual, moving New Business Item 72. I have a seconder." (Charlie Mann, Maryland, seconds the motion.)

New Business Item 72

That NEA educate its members about the need to anesthetize preborn children, once sensitivity to pain has been established, before an abortion procedure begins.

Rationale: It is common practice to anesthetize preborn children during in-utero surgeries. Anesthetization before abortion and other medical procedures would protect preborn children from pain.

Cost Implications: This NBI can be accomplished within the proposed Strategic Plan and Budget at no additional cost.

Relevant Strategic Priority: Administrative Services and Program Support.

Source: RA Today, Issue 6, July 7, 2001, 2001 RA, Los Angeles, page 11


"Anesthesia is commonly administered before second and third trimester in-utero corrective surgeries, such as for spinal bifida and for heart problems, because sensitivity to pain is present. I am asking the NEA to educate its members through an article in 'NEA Today' about the need to also anesthetize the human fetus, once sensitivity to pain has been established, before an abortion procedure begins, so that the fetus may have freedom from pain.

In drawing a parallel, consider that the Animal Welfare Act of 1987 even requires animal research facilities to ensure that animal pain and distress are minimized, and it provides for the administering of anesthesia for research animals.

This New Business Item does not challenge the NEA's current policy of 'reproductive freedom.' Both 'pro-choice' and 'pro-life' delegates signed my New Business Item. Rather, this NBI extends to second and third trimester human fetuses freedom from pain, a freedom that has already been extended to patients of in-utero corrective surgery and even to animals. Vote 'yes' on New Business Item 72."

RESULT: The assembly votes "Object to consideration" as predicted.

You're not disheartened because you are thankful to God for the opportunity to shed light on the fact that 2nd and 3rd trimester babies undoubtedly feel pain. You think positively...Plant seeds. Keep planting seeds. Immediately after New Business Item 72, it's time to take the microphone again. Here goes New Business Item 73:

"Judy Bruns, Ohio, speaking as an individual to move New Business Item 73. I have a seconder." (Carol Richart, Illinois seconds the motion).

New Business Item 73

That the NEA educate its members about the need for life-preserving measures to be used when a child is aborted alive.

Rationale: Supporting life-preserving measures when a child is aborted alive is consistent with the NEA's stand against child neglect.

Cost Implications: This NBI can be accomplished within the proposed Strategic Plan and Budget at no additional cost.

Relevant Strategic Priority: Administrative Services and Program Support.

Source: RA Today, Issue 6, July 7, 2001, 2001 RA, Los Angeles, page 11


"NBI 73, again, does not challenge the NEA's stand on 'reproductive freedom.' This New Business Item deals with information about infanticide through neglect. A once-viable fetus is, at this point, completely outside the mother.

Currently, documented cases exist of aborted fetuses being born alive and then the premature but viable infant is neglected until he or she dies, sometimes hours later. This is again the law, but is still being done.

Earlier today this assembly showed its compassion and concern for infants when the assembly voted overwhelmingly to provide cribs for them [NBI #27 - "Cribs for Kids" to help reduce infant mortality]. I ask you to again show your concern for infants' lives by voting 'yes' on NBI 73."

RESULT: The assembly votes "Object to consideration," again, as predicted.

So what's the use? Why go through all this trouble at the NEA Assemblies? Pro-life, first-time delegates came forth from many different states this year to express their appalling disbelief at what transpired at the assembly on the life issue. They will be sharing information with teachers at their schools, and our numbers will grow, as they continue to do every year. In time, His time, God will bless us with the words, the people, and the strategies to finally convince the NEA that abortion is wrong, that it leads to acceptance of other forms of killing-like infanticide, which the NEA accepted complacently this year; that it leads to the desensitizing of hearts, even to the pain of a child during second and third trimester dismemberment and salt-poisoning abortions.

We must go on. We cannot stop. We know too much about abortion, infanticide, and euthanasia to be silent. Many of the delegates at the 2001 Representative Assembly will think about what happened there as the summer rolls by, and things they read and experience may further open their minds and hearts to the truth. It's only a matter of time before the NEA rejects this culture of death, but the sad part is; it's a matter of lives, too.


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NEA DELEGATES APPROVE NEAFT PARTNERSHIP

New Business Item A was submitted by the NEA Board of Directors for consideration by the delegates. This New Business Item dealt with the NEAFT Partnership Document that was approved by the NEA Board of Directors at its February 10, 2001 meeting.

The Rationale behind this New Business Item was stated as follows: "For some time now, the AFT [American Federation of Teachers] and NEA have engaged in cooperative activities, but this cooperation has been ad hoc and sporadic. The NEAFT Partnership creates a framework for regular and focused cooperation. It provides an opportunity for both organizations to engage in jointly planned, ongoing activities about common concerns. Both organizations share similar agendas on many issues. Presenting a common front on such issues will make both organizations more effective in carrying out their mission to strengthen public education; serve children, families, and members; make more efficient use of resources; involve more affiliates in joint activities, and build stronger relationships between the AFT and NEA at all levels."

New Business Item A was approved through secret ballot: Yes - 4949 (58.82%); No - 3465 (41.18%).

Notice that the Rationale stated that "both organizations share similar agendas on many issues." Currently both the NEA and the AFT have pro-abortion positions through their Family Planning (NEA) and Women's Right to Choice (AFT) Resolutions. So, what does this new partnership between the NEA and the AFT mean for the sanctity of life? It is really uncertain as to what this means for the sanctity of life issue, but it is vital that we continue to stand boldly for the lives of the preborn - those children who may never have an opportunity to see the inside of a classroom.


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WHAT CAN YOU DO?

Want to do something pro-life and effective? Different individuals often have different ideas of how they could do something pro-life and effective. Here are two of those ideas.

Idea #1: During the NEA RA, delegates are constantly encouraged and sometimes even intimidated into giving money to The NEA Fund for Children and Public Education (EPAC). It was the goal of NEA leadership to raise during the 2001 NEA RA over $1 million dollars in political contributions for The NEA Fund for Children and Public Education. To raise this amount each delegate would need to give a minimum of $110.00 towards this fund.

One delegate who very strongly was opposed to giving any of his money to this fund decided to give his money elsewhere. He split the $110.00 into two $55.00 gifts; each $55.00 gift was given to a pro-life organization. Another delegate has chosen to give a political contribution directly to a political candidate whose beliefs and views were in line with those of the delegate's beliefs and views. So, if you are one of those individuals who feels strongly about NOT giving any money through NEA for political causes, then consider giving a designated amount directly to a candidate or an organization whose philosophy and beliefs are the same as your own belief system.

Idea #2: Another delegate chose to do something pro-life and effective right in the convenience of her own home? She chose to have a "pro-life teachers' write-in." This is how she felt led to have an impact on NEA leaders and the Resolutions Committee members.

First she compiled a list of teachers from area schools, teachers she KNEW were very pro-life. Then she located a video (ex. The Wonder of Life) that showed the early development of a baby; she also located a video that showed just what abortion does to a baby (ex. The Hard Truth). In addition, she gathered addresses/e-mail addresses of NEA Executive Committee members and Resolutions Committee members and made copies for the teachers who would come to her house.

Next, she phoned/e-mailed invitations to her pro-life teacher friends, limiting the "write-in" night to 11/2 hours maximum at her house, from 8-9:30 PM. (It was during the summer and she took into consideration moms with kids; this time slot worked out the best). She requested that everyone bring one snack or dessert, and she provided the beverages.

Finally, the last step was the "write-in" night itself. About 8 teachers came and about 8 teachers who couldn't come asked for e-mail addresses so they could send off their pro-life correspondence on their own. First, the video showing the development of a baby was shown; then the video that showed abortion. Afterwards, the pro-life teachers snacked, talked, and composed letters and e-mails. Some of the teachers put pro-life literature in with their correspondence.

What a great way to spread the word about the issue!! Can you imagine the impact this would have if pro-life teachers in every state started doing this? By the way, this was the second time some of these teachers got together for this "write-in" activity. They will be spreading the word to their friends so that next time around, no doubt, more people will be involved.


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WILL IT BE YOU?

Who will speak for me,
for I have no voice.
Who will decide for me,
for I have no choice.

I have no defense, it's so true,
Who will defend me, will it be you?
God gave me a heart with a beat,
A head, two arms, and tiny feet.

There has never been, nor will ever be,
Another human being, anything like me.
Our Creator makes no two of us the same,
Will you help me survive, and give me a name.

God gives life to all, that's very true,
We all are His, not just a few.
He gives us breath, the very first day,
No one has the right to take it away.

Though I'm hidden from the naked eye,
I still have life, I don't wish to die,
Who will protect me until the day I'm due,
Will it be you, you, or you?

            -Mike Ferraro
            TSC Member from Connecticut


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TEACHERS SAVING CHILDREN®
STATE AFFILIATE UPDATES

Michigan: This fall the Michigan TSC Board of Trustees will be facing some transition within their Board. Anyone interested in serving as a member of the Michigan TSC Board of Trustees should contact Lois Wierenga, Michigan TSC Executive Director. The next MI TSC Board of Trustees meeting is scheduled for Saturday, October 6, 2001. (TSC Inc. of MI, 3442 Olderidge NE, Grand Rapids MI 49525-3025; tsc-mi@multimag.com).

Ohio: The 2001-2002 officers for the OH TSC Affiliate State Chapter are as follows: Connie Bancroft, Executive Director; Gary Winney, Assistant Executive Director; Lisa Rudloff, Secretary; David Kaiser, Treasurer. The next OH TSC Board of Trustees meeting is scheduled for Saturday, September 29, 2001 in Columbus OH. (TSC Inc. of Ohio, PO Box 125, Damascus OH 44619-0125; tsc-life@juno.com).

Pennsylvania: The 2001-2002 officers for the PA TSC Affiliate State Chapter are as follows: Michael Grella, Executive Director; Robin Ross, Assistant Executive Director; Barbara Purcell, Secretary; Linda Burroughs, Treasurer. The next PA TSC Board of Trustees meeting is scheduled for Saturday, September 15, 2001 in State College, PA. (TSC of PA, Inc., PO Box 214, Pen Argyl PA 18072; tscofpa@usa.net).

Other State Affiliates: Although the time for formal application may not occur until later, there is definite potential for an affiliate state chapter within other states. Individuals from Massachusetts, Minnesota, and New York have contacted TSC requesting information to start an Affiliate State Chapter. These individuals are looking for others who would be willing to help them with the affiliation process. If you are interested in getting a TSC Affiliate State Chapter started in your state, please contact TSC for further information. As TSC continues to work with state leadership, we ask for your prayers and your patience.


For more information contact: tsc-life@juno.com
©2001, 2005 Teachers Saving Children® Inc. - National
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED


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