Teachers Saving Children® Inc. - National
Newsletter
Volume 15, Number 6
August 2005
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"The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ….God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be…Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.”
The Body of Christ…
As I have watched the Lord preparing the way for us to minister through the NEA Expo 2005 in Los Angeles, I have wept tears of gratitude and joy. We have had challenges this year. We have also experienced the miracle of provision beyond expectation. Why? I feel it is because of faithful and obedient hearts within the Body of Christ.
Words cannot even begin to express my gratitude to Donna of Buena Park California. Donna’s home became our “West Coast Holding Facility”. In March, when she was returning to California from Ohio, Donna took along two pieces of luggage packed full with exhibit display materials. Also, in May and June, the materials Teachers Saving Children® ordered from the publishing companies were shipped directly to Donna’s residence. Finally, Donna’s house became a place of rest and relaxation for me between a conference in Olympia Washington and the NEA Representative Assembly in Los Angeles. Her gracious spirit of opening her home to assist this pro-life ministry is most appreciated.
A special thanks to the Sophia Institute Press, which donated 480 copies of the book Angel in the Waters. All of these books were distributed within the first 12 hours of our exhibit; with the total exhibit time being 18 hours.
Then there was Dave and Keith, two Ohio delegates, who assisted by transporting the huge display case with them as they flew to and from California. That was a major burden taken off my shoulders! And a big thank you goes out to those individuals who assisted with the exhibit at the LA Convention Center – Dave, Keith, Frank, and Carmela who all assisted with setting up and dismantling the exhibit. Frank, Dave, Keith, Virginia, and Kathryn all were present at the display to dialogue with educators about the development of human life. A special thanks goes out to Frank who had a rental car and assisted me in getting our exhibit materials back to the hotel. Again, thanks to all of you!
The Body of Christ would not be complete without all of you who gave financially to support this special ministry during the NEA Expo 2005. Whether the gift was $5, $10, or more, your part in this ministry is most graciously appreciated. Thank you!
And a very special thank you to all who prayed. This ministry would not be able to function without the prayer support that we receive on a daily basis. Thank you!
The Teachers Saving Children® Board of Trustees and I appreciate the participation, suggestions, prayers, and support of each member and contributor. Thank you for being a part of the Body of Christ. For it is through the faithfulness and obedience of His people that His purpose for this ministry and organization is accomplished.
In conclusion, I praise God for allowing me to be used through this ministry opportunity to save the lives of preborn children – His creation and masterpiece. It is only through His anointing upon my life that I am able to fulfill all the responsibilities as Executive Director. And I want to publicly accept the position of Executive Director of Teachers Saving Children® Inc. – National for another year.
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Steve Thomas, and Jim Johnson |
Since the Resolutions Committee took no action, an amendment was proposed to the entire Representative Assembly for the body to vote on, including the proposed change to the section on Family Planning (I-12). In previous RAs, the pro-choice delegates “objected to consideration” of any motion that was made to amend the Family Planning (I-12) section. Once parliamentary procedure had been more carefully studied to show that the “object to consideration” motion was not in order in this situation, the pro-choice delegates took a new tactic. As soon as the time arose for discussion of the Family Planning Resolution I-12 amendments, the delegates voted to refer all remaining proposed changes to the Resolutions Committee. This served to cut off all open debate on the floor of the RA of the life issue ONCE AGAIN. Conservative delegates were again frustrated about the lack of willingness for open discussion and varying viewpoints to be presented.
There was one bright spot among the changes that WERE made at this year’s RA. A Standing Rule change was made that required submission of all proposed amendments to the Resolutions by an earlier deadline, the same deadline for New Business Items that are proposed. This change enabled delegates for the FIRST time to be able to READ the text of proposed changes and the author’s RATIONALE for making the changes BEFORE discussion and voting took place. So, even though the proposed amendments to Family Planning Resolution I-12 were cut off from discussion on the floor of the RA, ALL delegates were able to read the proposed changes and the rationale written by the pro-life delegates. So, perhaps changes come in very small steps!
As a first-year delegate, I attended the Resolutions Hearing held prior to the official start of the NEA-RA. The NEA Resolutions Committee listens to suggestions from delegates and then decides which ones will be presented to the full delegation for a vote.
While perusing section B-69 Classroom Use of Animals, I found an interesting statement, as follows: “The Association urges that teachers encourage compassion and respect for all living things.” I made the suggestion that this statement be moved to section I-12 Family Planning. I spoke in front of the Resolutions Committee suggesting that it would be more appropriately placed in I-12. The next day I noticed that my suggestion had not been accepted/printed in the Resolutions Committee Supplementary Report. I was disappointed to hear that no reason was given for this decision.
After consulting with friends, I decided to propose an amendment in front of the whole NEA delegation for consideration. However, this time, I suggested that the statement, “The Association urges that teachers encourage compassion and respect for all living things” be added to section I-12 but not removed from B-69. My rationale stated the following: “We, the NEA, are consistent and congruent when we encourage the same compassion and respect for human life as we claim for classroom animals.” On the last day of the RA, and just prior to dealing with Section I during the Resolutions debate, someone stood up and made a motion to refer all the remaining proposed changes to the Resolutions Committee for further study and consideration. And, just like that, it was over. I was not able to present what I felt was a logical and valid argument to the delegation.
However, I now realize that I have the opportunity to personally write each one of the Resolutions Committee members. In the letter, I plan to include the speech I was going to read to the delegates, but also state my disappointment in not being able to speak to the entire delegation on this matter. During the RA, I was struck by the fairness of the democratic process. As a first-time delegate, I was looking forward to participating.
I fully believe that it is only logical to include the sentence in both areas of NEA’s Resolutions. In fact, I believe, the NEA makes a negative statement by not doing so. This statement, I believe, says that we value animal life more than human life. Although this is not the feeling of any teacher I know, the Association speaks for us. Some might contend that I have simplified a complex issue. I disagree. In my opinion, teachers, of all people, should clearly respect life. At the very least, young humans are the very reason our jobs exists. To value human life is to be true to our profession.
I praise God for all of these provisions that were used to plant seeds of truth in the hearts and minds of many educators. I praise the Lord for all of you – all of whom are a special part of this ministry. Thank you for your prayers and support!
Teachers Saving Children® Inc. of MI, 4789 Section Road, Ottawa Lake MI 49267; mi2002tsc@accesstoledo.com.
Ohio: The 2005-2006 officers for the Ohio Affiliate State Chapter are as follows: Connie Bancroft, Executive Director; Gary Winney, Assistant Executive Director; Marianne O’Donnell, Secretary; David Kaiser, Treasurer. Marianne O’Donnell will be serving as the representative to the National Board of Trustees. The next Ohio Board of Trustees meeting is scheduled for Saturday, October 1, 2005 in Columbus, OH.
Teachers Saving Children® Inc. of Ohio, PO Box 125, Damascus OH 44619-0125; tsc-life@juno.com.
Pennsylvania: The 2005-2006 officers for the Pennsylvania Affiliate State Chapter are as follows: Robin Ross, Executive Director; Jeff Remington, Assistant Executive Director; Linda Burroughs, Treasurer. Robin Ross will be serving as the representative to the National Board of Trustees. The next Pennsylvania Board of Trustees meeting is scheduled for Saturday, September 24, 2005 in Union County, PA.
Teachers Saving Children® of PA Inc., PO Box 214, Pen Argyl PA 18072; tscofpa@epix.net.
Other State Affiliates: This past year, several individuals have contacted the National Office inquiring about state affiliate chapters and how to get a chapter started. Two individuals have started, but have not yet completed the application process. Although the time for formal application may not occur until later, there is definite potential for an affiliate state chapter within other states. Right now the best strategy for beginning a state affiliate chapter is to first build a foundation through a solid membership base. As we continue to work with state leadership, we ask for your prayers and your patience. If you are interested in increasing the membership base and/or getting a Teachers Saving Children® Affiliate State Chapter started in your state, please contact Teachers Saving Children® for further information.
Some time after the April newsletter, a reader expressed concern over the Teachers Saving Children® newsletter’s description of Terri’s final moments. To clear any misunderstandings, let me this time quote a reliable source of information, National Right to Life News, in its April 2005 edition. The article is entitled “Ripping Back the Curtain,” and it was written by Pat Anderson, who represented Bob and Mary Schindler from April 2001 until September 2004, in their attempt to save the life of their daughter. Anderson describes Terri’s death in this way: [It was] “a slow death by dehydration and starvation -- what Nat Hentoff of the Village Voice called the ‘longest public execution’ in the nation’s history.” And will we ever forget the image stirred by Father Frank Pavone, head of Priests for Life, after he visited with Terri during some of her last moments? He spoke of the irony of it all -- the vase full of water that had been set on the table next to her bed, as Terri hungered and thirsted unto her death.
If the April Teachers Saving Children® newsletter seemed to slight Terri Schiavo’s death by quoting general media, it was certainly not the intention. Teachers Saving Children®, Inc. stands for a respect for all human life from conception to natural death.
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