Dear John, it's the Family Beacon, your weekly source for news and commentary on life, family, and religious freedom in Minnesota and beyond! This week:

• Podcast: A "Kidnapping Bill" in Minnesota
• Blog: Radical Trans Bill Attacks Parental Rights and Hurts Vulnerable Kids
• ALERT: Tell Your House Member to Vote NO on Extreme Abortion Bill
• Pray for Our Legislators
• United for Life - Pro-Life Advocacy Day February 28
• Bridge Building Workshop - February 11
• View Stories from Women with Abortion Regret

To support this newsletter and MFC's work throughout the state, consider becoming a sustaining supporter today.

Podcast: A "Kidnapping Bill" in Minnesota, with Rebecca Delahunt

Acting Policy Director Becca Delahunt joins host Moses Bratrud to discuss dangerous bills making their way through the Minnesota State Legislature, including HF146, the "Kidnapping Bill," which could take parental custody away in cases when parents do not provide so-called "gender affirming care" to a troubled child.

Become a sustaining supporter to help Minnesota Family Council fight for your values: https://mfc.org/donate

Join us for our pro-life advocacy day on February 28: https://unitedforlifemn.org

Listen on Anchor | Watch on YouTube

Radical Trans Bill Attacks Parental Rights and Hurts Vulnerable Kids

By Patience Griswold

On Tuesday the Minnesota House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law Committee heard a bill that would allowthe state to take emergency custody of children with gender dysphoria if their parents do not consent to subjecting them to so-called “gender affirmation healthcare” such as puberty-blockers and cross-sex hormones. In the style of California’s recent law making California a “sanctuary state” for gender transitions for minors, this bill would also allow minors to travel to Minnesota to receive these “treatments” without parental consent, posing a threat to parental rights and the well-being of children, not just in our state, but across the nation.

(Click here to watch powerful testimony from MFC’s Rebecca Delahunt and True North Legal’s Renee Carlson on this bill)

Puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones have been found to have serious and often lifelong side effects. These include:

·      Loss of speed processing and memory

·      Bone density loss and stunted growth

·      Sterility and loss of sexual function

·      Increased risk of heart attacks, ischemic strokes, and pulmonary embolisms

Furthermore, studies claiming that these treatments are beneficial are questionable at best. A recent review of the evidence found that the studies supporting puberty-blockers and “gender transition” for minors rely on “low to very low quality evidence” in order to support their conclusions.

ALERT: Take Action on Extreme Abortion Bill

Tell Minnesota House Members: Vote NO On the "How To" Abortion Act

The Minnesota House is expected to hold a floor vote soon on HF91 (read the bill HERE), the "How To" bill that accompanies the PRO Act and eviscerates Minnesota's pro-lfe statutes. Please take time to tell your Minnesota House member to vote NO.

Make your voice heard to help us stop this dangerous bill. Click the button, fill in your information, and then edit the message (if desired) and click "Take Action."

Pray for Our Legislators

By Moses Bratrud

According to one Senator, things at the Capitol are proceeding "at light speed." With all the bills that are proceeding so quickly (some good, many bad), we're hearing from legislators that they are feeling discouraged.

Can I ask you to pray this weekend, especially for our pro-life legislators? They have fought and are fighting so hard to protect life, family, and religious freedom in Minnesota, and it's an uphill battle. 

And please also pray for pro-abortion legislators, that their hearts may be turned away from evil and towards Jesus Christ, who loves and values the preborn.

You can use the tool linked below to find your state legislators. Our Church Ambassador Team is bringing pastors to the Capitol every day this session to meet with and pray for legislators. Our policy team and our True North Legal team are testifying every week on bills that could affect all of us.

But prayer - lifting our requests, our praise, and our thanksgiving to God - is the most powerful weapon in our arsenal. So please, join with Minnesota Family Council in prayer now and throughout the rest of the legislative session.

United for Life Pro-Life Advocacy Day - February 28, 2023

Join us for our pro-life advocacy day, United for Life! This first-ever event will bring together pro-life organizations and individuals from across the state to make one common voice heard at the Capitol in support for life and the unborn!

ou can find more information and get your *free* tickets at unitedforlifemn.org.

From Compass Ministry: Bridge Building Workship - February 11

Via Compass Ministry:

When:Saturday, February 11th, 2023, 9:00am - 12:00pm

Where: Grace Church Eden Prairie, Room 216

9:00a-12:00p | Workshop (FREE)

12:00p-1:00p | Lunch/Q&A ($10)

“Bridge Building for Unity in Community - Effectively Engaging and Persuading your School Board and Others in Leadership for Positive Change”

Many Christians are feeling called to step out in faith to address leaders regarding concerns they have within our public schools. Some desire to take this step of obedience but do not feel equipped, or would like to learn more, about how to do this thoughtfully, from a biblical perspective and in a way that brings honor to God. If this is you, join us on February 11th at Grace Church.

In this timely workshop, Clint Elliott, attorney and longtime Compass partner, will help you develop tools to more effectively engage and persuade your School Board and others in leadership for positive change. Click below to learn more and register.

Watch the Stories of Women with Abortion Regret

Minnesota Family Institute has partnered with Silent No More to bring the stories of women who regret their abortions to a wide audience. We're able to share the full versions of these women's powerful stories, which you can see below.

• Deb's Story
• Denise's Story
• Colleen's Story (full)

Click the "Learn More" button to see more information about abortion regret and the 30-second versions of these stories.

Get the Parent Resource Guide

Responding to the transgender trend with truth and compassion starts with the Parent Resource Guide. Get your copy HERE today and invite a friend to do the same! Click to order your copy today:

Thank you for sharing Minnesota Family Council’s vision for strong families, communities, and culture through Christ. As we rise to meet challenges at the state and federal level, we need your support now more than ever. Click here to give now. 

John Helmberger, CEO

Minnesota Family Council and Institute

Two Ways to Give

Support our grassroots policy and elections efforts through Minnesota Family Council (MFC). Support our education and outreach efforts with a tax-deductible contribution to Minnesota Family Institute (MFI).

Contact Us

Minnesota Family Council & Institute

 [email protected] | 612-789-8811 | mfc.org