Teachers Saving Children® National Newsletter June 2005

We are currently accepting new memberships for the 2005-2006 membership year. Any new memberships received after June 1st are good until August 31, 2006. Renewal membership information will be sent to all current members in early July. ALL memberships are handled through the National Office. Each month States Affiliates will receive membership updates and their portion of the dues received.

Please help the Teachers Saving Children^® office keep accurate records by verifying all membership information. Please make sure your membership forms are accurate, complete, signed, and dated. Thank you for your continued support in being “A Voice for LIFE in Education.”

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THE BENEFITS OF MEMBERSHIP

By Gary & Colleen Winney

The benefits of being a part of Teachers Saving Children^® Inc. are well known by many members who receive regular updates on our involvement in the National Education Association, one of the two largest teacher unions in the United States. During the summer of 2005, The NEA will be meeting in Los Angeles, and there is growing excitement among conservative educators who have been encouraged by increasing pro-life influences within the organization.

A case in point was last year’s Representative Assembly in Washington, D.C. and its many striking exhibits during the first couple of days of this annual event. We were present to assist with the Teachers Saving Children^® Inc. exhibit, “The Wonder of Life”, one of literally hundreds with sponsorship ranging from the conservative (NEA Creation Science Educators Caucus, NEA Conservative Educators Caucus, and the NEA ExGay Educators Caucus) to the liberal (NEA Women’s Caucus, NEA GLBT Caucus, and the Peace and Justice Caucus) as well as everything in between (a sizable number of exhibitors were simply there to sell their products). A certain amount of networking and support among other like-minded exhibitors took place, and it has become obvious that the number of such exhibits is growing. This development serves as a tremendous encouragement to all those pro-life teachers who feel alone and intimidated by the sheer size of the NEA and its liberal leadership.

In offering free information on how to incorporate material on prenatal development into the science and health curricula, we met many of those who see a real need for this information. The resources, much to our delight, disappeared quickly. Many visitors were curious about the models depicting the stages of human development from conception through the first nine months, and engaged us in meaningful conversations about their personal experiences. Children were very fascinated about the whole topic, and our exhibit became a focal point and meeting place for many pro-life educators and their families. One of our more amazing visuals was a large, laminated poster showing the arm of a tiny pre-born (approximately 21 weeks) reaching out through the wall of his opened amniotic sac and grasping the index finger of an attending surgeon performing a procedure within the confines of the womb. Such visuals generated a great deal of interest and excitement as they revealed the unmistakable marks of humanity in the pre-born.

As Gary’s wife, I attended the NEA in a supportive role. I am not a teacher and this was my first experience with the organization. After spending a short time with Connie, Judy, Ruth, Marlene and other pro-life delegates, I really did feel as if we had been friends for a long while. The shared Christian commitment and true fellowship was a joy!

My job was to fold brochures, prepare handout packets, and assist in attending the display booth. I remember being concerned about what I needed to say to people when they would come up to our display. Gary assured me that when we were just being ourselves and depending on God’s power to work through our efforts the resulting conversations would be natural -- actually, supernatural! Everyone was always prayerful in every aspect of the preparation, and we all had a sense of anticipation. The veteran members kept telling me what blessings they experienced during these times of providing information packets and being available for questions. They were right. The Lord God not only answered our prayers, but He blessed our hearts again and again through meaningful encounters with many people of various backgrounds. I met numerous people who were awestruck, like I was, when they experienced the different aspects of the display. As they looked over the baby models, photos, and read some of the information, they freely shared their own stories of a child or grandchild who at one point was considered to be better off aborted. They talked about how they had seen God’s purposes in the valued life of that child or young adult. Often men would introduce themselves as expectant fathers who would stare at one of the baby models and say something like “my wife is 28 weeks. This is so amazing to see what our baby actually looks like now!” Mothers would point out the various stages of life to their children to teach them how early life starts and why abortion is murder.

I look back on those three days with gratitude to the Lord for new Christian friends who truly act on what they believe and champion the cause. I am also thankful for the opportunity to have finally acted on my personal conviction about the right to life from conception to natural death. All I did besides the most important work of personal prayer and consistent Bible reading was to be available and assist where I could. The Lord used whatever anyone was able to contribute. While the veteran committee members worked tirelessly and were always prepared to represent the group well, they acknowledged the Lord’s grace and power at work. It reminds me of Zechariah 4:6 “…Not by might, nor by power, but my Spirit, says the Lord Almighty.” Teachers Saving Children^® prayerfully acts on God’s will to carry out this mission. I am proud of my husband for his commitment and active participation with this fine group of Christian believers. And I am thankful for the way it has changed my life.

Teachers Saving Children^® Inc. is “A Voice for LIFE in Education,” a voice that is increasingly being heard by those in important positions of influence. Our hope is that you will join your voice to the growing chorus of those who are making a difference.

Editor’s Note: Gary Winney is a retired educator and has been a member of the Board of Trustees since its inception.

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TSC PUBLIC RELATIONS

Summer is here and brings with it a variety of opportunities to spread the word about Teachers Saving Children^®. Most individuals find out about Teachers Saving Children^® from a friend or colleague. Consider requesting a few extra brochures to share with friends that you may visit this summer or with colleagues with whom you may share a workshop, seminar, or class. A special thanks to those individuals who have distributed brochures and have encouraged teachers and other concerned citizens to join. Thanks for your support as we work together in educating our colleagues and friends about the sanctity of life.

Copies of the TSC brochure available upon request!
Call 330-821-2747 for more information!
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2005 NEA CONVENTION

From July 1-6, nearly 10,000 NEA members elected by their state and local colleagues will gather at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles CA for the 2005 NEA Representative Assembly. The first 2½ days will include exhibits, open hearings, and other preliminary activities and events. Beginning July 3, delegates will spend four days conducting the business concerning the policies and activities of the NEA by voting on proposed amendments to the NEA Standing Rules and Constitution and Bylaws; electing officers; voting on Resolutions; accepting the reports of various committees; and debating many new business items.

It is vital that you contact your delegates to the NEA Representative Assembly, letting them know your philosophy on various issues. If you have a delegate(s) from your local attending the NEA convention, contact should be easy. However, many locals do not or cannot send delegates to the NEA RA. Therefore, state at-large delegates or cluster delegates need to be contacted. If you need the names and addresses of your delegate(s), please contact your local president or your NEA State Affiliate office.

Get involved by contacting your NEA delegates! Remind them to vote according to the wishes of the membership they represent! And then hold them accountable by requesting a written report upon their return! Remember: They are your representatives!

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"THE WONDER OF LIFE"

Teachers Saving Children^® will be in Los Angeles CA July 1-3 at the NEA Expo 2005. Thousands of educators will be reached with the sanctity of life message through “The Wonder of Life” exhibit.

A special thank you to each person who has given $5, $10 or more to this special ministry opportunity. The Lord has graciously provided through you the funds needed for the exhibit space rental fee, miscellaneous fees, and the materials to distribute free to educators who visit our exhibit. We have also been able to purchase some videos to distribute free to selected educators who would use them in their classrooms. In addition, we have received a special donation of the book Angel in the Waters for free distribution. Any additional funds received will be used for unexpected expenses that may occur as we finalize the details of the display.

Thank you for your continued prayers as we prepare and transport the display. Please pray for the Lord’s special anointing as we minister to individuals during the exhibit hours.

Reminder: Those individuals still desiring to support this exhibit financially should make their checks payable to “TSC Inc. – National”. Please carefully note how the amount given is to be designated (“NEA Exhibit”) so that the contribution will be appropriately allocated.