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. NC VALUES AT THE NCGOP CONVENTION: Who is Alanna Smith?
Alanna Smith is an accomplished athlete and the daughter of Major League Baseball Hall of Fame relief pitcher Lee Smith. As a high school freshman, she won the 400m and finished second in the 200m at the New England Regional Track and Field Championships. She was seen by many as a rising star in Connecticut high school athletics.
The following year, Alanna was running against biological boys in the next lane. She took third place at her next regional meet when running against this new class of competitors. “Even before I get to the meet, I already know that I’m not going to get first place, or maybe even second place," Smith told Fox News. "I know that no matter how hard I work, I won’t be able to have the top spot.”
If you're attending today's NCGOP Convention, would you consider stopping by the NC Values Coalition booth in the Exhibit Hall to learn more about how you can #JoinTheNCTeam and our fight for Women's sports by signing our giant 8-foot petition.
You can also TAKE ACTION RIGHT NOW <[link removed]> to Save Women's Sports for the nation's finest female athletes right here in North Carolina by participating in this click-to-contact campaign <[link removed]>.
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2. NC VALUES: Human Life Non-Discrimination Act (HB453) Updates
Earlier this week, the NC Senate Health Care Committee and the Judiciary Committee heard and passed the Human Life Non-Discrimination Act (HB453). The event coincided with NC Value's Legislative Day of Action, which today focused on raising support for the Human Life Non-Discrimination Act (HB453) in the Senate.
We were blessed to have Katie Shaw join us from Indiana to testify at the hearing. She is a fierce national pro-life leader born with Down syndrome. Also joining in from Washington DC was Dr. Tara Sander Lee, Senior Fellow and Director of Life Sciences at the Charlotte Lozier Institute, and Sue Swayze Liebel, the State Policy Director for Susan B Anthony List.
Several North Carolina families also joined this panel of experts in Raleigh to share their personal stories and about their children with Down syndrome.
You can check out their NC Senate testimonies on HB453 here <[link removed]>.
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For more updates, photos, and videos, make sure to check out and “like” our NC Values Facebook page. <[link removed]>
Finally, if you would like to join us at our next Legislative Day of Action, visit: www.ncvalues.org/event <[link removed]>
As shown in some of these images from the various Committee stages, we have worked very hard this year spearheading several bills that protect your values like HB 453. If you appreciate our hard work, would you consider making a $100, $50, $25, or even $10 to help the NC Values Coalition continue to fight for your rights? <[link removed]>
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3. FOX NEWS: RI Mom says she could face lawsuit after demanding answers on CRT curriculum in elementary school
"A Rhode Island mother said Wednesday she could face a lawsuit for seeking information about critical race theory material that was being taught to her daughter in school."
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4. FOX NEWS: ”I am a mother to a Son with Gender Dysphoria. Here is my message.”
"As I watch the news and see more and more states consider laws to ban doctors from using hormones and performing surgeries on children and youth who struggle to feel comfortable with their bodies, I can’t help but think of my son’s struggle.
At age 19, my son announced his identity as a woman, despite never having shown any prior signs of gender dysphoria. Though I did not understand what was going on, I acknowledged his discomfort. Truly, nothing pains a parent more than when your child is hurting.
However, while I was committed to exploring all options to ensure his best long-term health, he insisted on pursuing transition. I started interviewing therapists to learn about care options for children who, like my son, struggle with gender dysphoria.
Time and time again, therapists told me that the only alternative to transition is suicide—despite the fact that chemical or surgical transition procedures have not been shown to alleviate suicidal ideation. In fact, even after surgery, transgender individuals are 19 times more likely to commit suicide that their comparable peers."
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5. POLITICO: New attention on abortion pill dispensing amid challenge to Roe v. Wade
“Mifepristone is too dangerous to be sent to pregnant patients by mail or handed out in a pharmacy. The Mississippi case is an opportunity for SCOTUS to take another look at whether all pre-viability prohibitions on elective abortions are unconstitutional.
North Carolina women deserve accurate information about all medical procedures, including abortion, and we must protect them from the dangerous administration of chemical abortion drugs by unqualified individuals. As always, our little unborn humans have an inherent right to life and are worthy of our protection."
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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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