“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap” (Galatians 6:9).
There are many smaller projects that can have a big impact in the life arena. They can be used in a variety of ways or used to support bigger projects/activities. Here are some ideas that you can use as a Life Advocate, use with your Life Team, or share with the churches your Life Chapter supports.
Sharing LFL materials:
- Place Life Quotes and Life Thoughts in your congregation’s weekly bulletin and/or monthly newsletter.
- Distribute our monthly Life News bulletin insert.
- Link to lutheransforlife.org on your congregation’s website.
- Share links to LFL’s materials featured on our “Store” page or at cph.org.
- Host a coffee hour after church to share life-affirming information and LFL materials.
- Take a moment to review the materials you may have on display. It may be time to refresh!
If you have the funds, consider purchasing new materials for the display. If you have a set of fetal models, consider displaying them. Life-affirming display materials (bookmarks, feet pins, fetal models, posters, etc.) are available at https://pro.life.- If you don’t have a designated area for life-affirming materials and your church has a spot available, consider putting materials out or having a rotating display.
Baptismal reminders:
- Send cards or letters to families who had a baby baptized the previous year.
- Recognize the previous year’s baptisms at a worship service.
- Partner with other groups in your congregation to put on events or share life-affirming information with these groups to support their ministry.
Ideas for Mother’s Day and Father’s Day:
- Give a flower to mothers and find a small, life-affirming item to give to fathers.
- Host a cake and punch reception or ice cream social after service.
- Sponsor breakfast or a luncheon.
- Encourage Sunday school teachers to have students create something special for their mothers and fathers.
- Collect diapers and wipes between Mother’s Day and Father’s Day to donate to your local pregnancy resource center.
Ask the children in the congregation to decorate cards to send to homebound members, those hospitalized, and others who may need a pick me up. (You can use resources your church already has on hand. There may be extra materials from other projects to utilize so no money has to be spent. Get creative!)
Share “In Remembrance” ideas with those grieving the death of a loved one. Here are some ideas:
- Cook their favorite meal, watch their favorite movie, or listen to their favorite song.
- Plant a tree or flowers in their memory.
- Make a quilt, pillow, or teddy bear out of their clothes.
- Paint memory rocks with images that remind you of them.
- Write down memories and place in a memory jar.
- Join or start a grief support group.
- Start a book club and read life-affirming books. Another option would be to discuss current articles on life issues.
- Create For Life bookmarks to share with your congregation or give out to those in the community. These could be colored by children in the congregation.
- Schedule a tour of your local pregnancy resource center to learn more about what they do and the help they offer.
- If you are unable to financially support life-affirming organizations in your community, see if there are other ways you can support them. Volunteer, if they have the need. Find out specific things you can pray for.
- Many groups go caroling at Christmas time, but Easter is another wonderful time to visit homebound members with a hymn sing.
May these ideas be inspirational and spark creativity for your group to plan activities to bless your congregation and community.