Friend,
Welcome to the Friday Five! Every Friday we share our top five articles, stories, and quotes for you to read and share with your friends and church families. <[link removed]>
We would be very grateful if you could make a donation of $100, $50, $25, or $10 today towards our work producing these Friday Fives and fighting for your values on the public square! <[link removed]>
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1. YOU’RE INVITED: NC Values “A Special Evening with Barronelle Stutzman” event, and “Protect Your Ministry” events.
SOGI laws are being considered across North Carolina. They have been passed in Greensboro, Durham, Carrboro, Chapel Hill, Winston-Salem, Hillsborough, and in Buncombe and Orange Counties. SOGI laws allowed the State of Washington to take legal action against Barronelle Stutzman, the owner of Arlene's florist. Stutzman serves all customers but cannot create custom floral designs to celebrate a view of marriage that violates her faith.
Every American should be free to peacefully express himself or herself at home, work, school, and in the community without fear of government censorship or punishment. We believe that our laws should protect the constitutionally guaranteed freedoms of every citizen, no matter who they are. Unfortunately, SOGI laws undermine both fairness and freedom. We have seen these SOGI nondiscrimination laws penalize entrepreneurs, small businesses, and even religious nonprofits and churches. These policies and ordinances are often put forth under the guise of “tolerance,” but they actually open the door to government-mandated intolerance and coercion that stifles personal speech, religious liberty, and a welcoming community.
In our effort to educate the state on the real-life harms of SOGI legislation, we have organized a week-long, multi-city, awareness and education campaign. Would you consider checking them out and RSVPing to any that interest you? <[link removed]>
- A Special Evening with Barronelle Stutzman | Mooresville <[link removed]>
- Protect Your Ministry | Charlotte <[link removed]>
- Protect Your Ministry | Gaston County <[link removed]>
- Protect Your Ministry | Guilford County <[link removed]>
- Protect Your Ministry | Kannapolis <[link removed]>
- Protect Your Ministry | Raleigh <[link removed]>
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2. TAKE ACTION: 👣The Human Life Non-Discrimination Act
We're excited to share the filing of the Human Life Non-Discrimination Act (HB453), which prohibits abortions based on race and/or the prenatal diagnosis of Down syndrome.
“Children shouldn’t have to pass a genetic test to earn the right to be born” said bill co-sponsor Representative John Bradford. “Today, it is estimated that 70 percent of all babies with a prenatal diagnosis of Down syndrome are aborted."
The North Carolina Values Coalition is backing this bill because every child should have the chance to live a full, happy life. We hope that North Carolina will join the leading edge of states enacting protections against the discrimination of unborn children.
If you agree, would you consider clicking-to-contact your NC House member and asking them to vote FOR the Human Life Non-Discrimination Act – HB453? <[link removed]>
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- VIDEO: The Human Life Non-Discrimination Act press conference <[link removed]>
- NC VALUES: The Human Life Non-Discrimination Act press release <[link removed]>
- WRAL: NC bill would halt abortions on basis of race, Down syndrome <[link removed]>
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3. DAILY SIGNAL: My friend was pressured to have an abortion after scan showed chance of disability
“Every day in America, pregnant women sit in their doctors’ offices, waiting for scan results. These mothers—no matter their age, race, or economic backgrounds—all hope to hear the same news: that their baby is healthy and growing right on track.
Hearing the all-clear, these moms can rejoice and continue with their medical appointments. However, for the women who receive less-clear news—or an outright distressing prenatal diagnosis—an already nerve-racking doctor’s visit can take on a nightmarish quality.
Not only must the mother face the possibility that her baby is in peril, but all too often she is subject to bullying, as the doctor to whom she has entrusted her body and her child attempts to push her toward abortion.”
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4. FOCUS ON THE FAMILY: Down Syndrome; what the doctors didn’t tell us
“Raising a child with Down syndrome <[link removed]> has taught us to slow down and celebrate each and every milestone. As full of love and joy that Kirsten is, she is also quite strong willed. (I like to tell myself that one day this quality will serve her well.) She likes to remind us that, just as with any child, we are not the ones to dictate the timeline of her milestones.”
“I wish I could go back in time and tell that doctor what I know now. If I could, perhaps he could have offered us a more insightful glimpse into our future. If it were up to me, the words would have gone something like this …”
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5. DAILY SIGNAL: Arkansas bill would bar doctors from transgender drug, surgical ‘experimentation’ on minors
"Just a week after Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson signed bills protecting women’s sports and medical conscience protections from being forced to bend to progressive gender ideology, he now has the chance to sign yet another pro-science bill that would protect children from harmful surgical and hormonal interventions on their bodies in the name of 'gender affirmation' and 'transgender medicine.'"
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WEEKLY PRAYER: LIFE
LORD, we recognize that you are Sovereign over all creation. We recognize you made man from the dust, and in your mercy, you crowned creation with man and woman made in your image. What a wonder it is that you would bestow upon us this blessing and responsibility! LORD, may we not take this blessing for granted. We pray that this great responsibility and dignity may motivate us to love You, our neighbors, and our families more.
LORD, may we as a culture truly see and believe that children are a blessing from the LORD—born or unborn; able or disabled. All children should have an opportunity to experience the liberty of life. LORD, make us your vehicle to change our culture into one that cherishes and protects life. Keep at the forefront of our minds our responsibilities to respect, cherish, and serve the youngest and oldest in our society.
Finally, LORD, we pray even further for our children. Across our state, country, and world, an entire generation of youth have seen their lives and education ruptured by the pandemic and its closing of schools. Father, as a result so many of these children are not only wounded by the quality of their education, but by a likely onslaught of mental illness brought about by social isolation. LORD, bring them hope and healing as only You can.
"At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, 'Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?' He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. And he said: 'Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me. If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.'" (Matthew 18:1-6)
Amen
Will you chip in $100, $50, $25, or even $10 to help the NC Values Coalition continue to fight for your rights? You can donate by clicking here. <[link removed]>
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Sincerely,
North Carolina Values Coalition
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NC Values Coalition - 9650 Strickland Rd, Suite 103-226, Raleigh, NC 27615-1902, United States
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