2016 Summer Newsletter - First Coast Women`s Services

Summer 2016
“ Now choose life so that you and your children may live …” Deuteronomy 30:19
First Coast Women’s Services
24th Annual Life Banquet
With guest speaker
Brian Fisher
Author, speaker and business leader Brian Fisher is president and co-founder
of Human Coalition, a non-profit outreach that uses new and emerging
compassionate strategies to save the lives of innocent, unborn babies
and their families from abortion. An executive with successful experience
managing mid-sized and large firms in the financial, marketing and non-profit
sectors, he is the author of four books and numerous articles. Brian and his
wife, Jessica, have two sons.
Thursday, October 27, 2016
7 pm to 9 pm
Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront Hotel
This event is by reservation only.
To register, please visit our website: www.fcws.org or call Romy at 549-6100. There is no cost to attend this event,
however an opportunity will be extended to make a financial gift that will support the ministry.
Mission Statement: Empowering women to make informed choices about their pregnancy.
Mandarin Center
11215 San Jose Blvd.
Jacksonville, FL 32223
(904) 262-6300
Baker County
368 South 5th St.
Macclenny, FL 32063
(904) 259-2585
Beaches
224 N. Third St.
Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250
(904) 246-7378
Mobile Center (904) 945-FREE (3733)
Clay County
105 Old Jennings Rd.
Orange Park, FL 32065
(904) 213-9374
The Battle Rages
News from Judy Weber, CEO
I recently went to see the movie The Free State of Jones based on the true story of
Newton Knight. This man was so discouraged by the death and carnage of the Civil War that he
became a deserter from the Confederate Army and gathered other like-minded men and families,
both black and white, to live in the Mississippi swamp. It is a gripping tale, containing much
brutality, particularly against the freed slaves.
Many comparisons can be drawn between the battle for recognition of the rights of African Americans and the
rights of the unborn in America. Both groups were considered as non-persons with no rights. Yet we know that all
human beings, born and unborn, are created by the Lord and He has a plan and a purpose for each one. Certainly some
progress has been made in the battle for racial equality, but the battle for the rights of the unborn is raging and facing
powerful opposition. On June 27th , The Supreme Court issued its strongest defense of abortion rights in a quartercentury. The legislation would have required abortion facilities to have the same basic level of cleanliness, health and
safety requirements as other ambulatory surgical centers (ASC). It would have also required that abortionists have
admitting privileges at hospitals within 30 miles, in the event something goes wrong. (If you want to read the account
of a local anesthesiologist, Dr. Mark Monroe, who had to deal with a botched abortion here in Jacksonville, go to our
website, www.fcws.org, About Us/Real Stories)
Jor-El Godsey, President of Heartbeat, International, has said, In what will surely be remembered as a landmark
decision, the Supreme Court announced its shocking decision to overturn commonsense regulations on abortions in the state of Texas on Monday morning.
We are stunned at this decision —which strikes down a 2013 law requiring Texas’s abortion
clinics to meet minimal standards like widening hallways for gurneys to fit through and gain
admitting privileges to hospitals within 30 miles. These are threadbare requirements, and yet
our nation’s highest court has voted, 5-3, to expose women to dangerous health risks in the
interests of “access” and “choice.” We weep in the aftermath of this wicked dereliction of duty
by our Supreme Court. But, we appeal to a higher Court whose Judge never errs, and who
Himself is the Just and the Justifier of those who believe.
Encouraged, no doubt, by the Supreme Court’s decision, a federal judge in Florida blocked legislation, signed
into law by Governor Rick Scott earlier this year, that would have placed restrictions on abortion clinics in Florida.
U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle stopped key portions of the law hours before it was scheduled to take effect. Planned
Parenthood challenged the portion of the law that would prohibit state funds from going to any organization that
performs abortions. Judge Hinkle stated that previous federal rulings have made it clear that the government cannot
indirectly try to stop an activity that is legally allowed, such as abortion. The Florida law, however, also requires doctors
who perform abortions to have admitting privileges at a nearby hospital. That part of the law was not challenged and
will close all the abortion clinics in Jacksonville, if enforced, because none of those abortion doctors have admitting
privileges. Please keep this issue in your prayers.
It is clear that we are engaged in a difficult battle, but we are not discouraged. Our Lord Jesus is the creator,
sustainer and supporter of life – He is FOR LIFE. Each day in our five FCWS Centers, more than 250 volunteers and
twenty staff extend grace and compassion
to every client the Lord brings to us.
We are enabled by the gifts, and
protected by the prayers, of all of you.
Thank you for your faithful support. The
people of God are an unstoppable force!
Joyfully serving,
Judy
Life News Update
How valuable is the life of a child born “not perfect”?
A letter from a mother to her doctor who advised her to abort.
“Dear Doctor,
A friend recently told me of when her prenatal specialist would see her child during her
sonograms, he would comment, “He’s perfect.” Once her son was born with Down syndrome,
she visited that same doctor. He looked at her little boy and said, ‘I told you. He’s perfect.’
Her story tore me apart. While I was so grateful for my friend’s experience, it filled me with
such sorrow because of what I should have had. I wish you would have been that doctor.
I came to you during the most difficult time in my life. I was terrified, anxious and in complete despair. I didn’t know the truth yet about my baby, and that’s what I desperately needed
from you. But instead of support and encouragement, you suggested we terminate our child. I
told you her name, and you asked us again if we understood how low our quality of life would be with a child with
Down syndrome. You suggested we reconsider our decision to continue the pregnancy. From the first visit, we dreaded
our appointments. The most difficult time in my life was made nearly unbearable because you never told me the truth.
My child was perfect.
I’m not angry. I’m not bitter. I’m really just sad. I’m sad the tiny beating hearts you see every day don’t fill you with
a perpetual awe. I’m sad the intricate details and the miracle of those sweet little fingers and toes, lungs and eyes and
ears don’t always give you pause. I’m sad you were so very wrong to say a baby with Down Syndrome would decrease
our quality of life. And I’m heartbroken you might have said that to a mommy even today. But I’m mostly sad you’ll
never have the privilege of knowing my daughter, Emersyn.
Because, you see, Emersyn has not only added to our quality of life, she’s touched the hearts of thousands. She’s
given us a purpose and a joy that is impossible to express. She’s given us bigger smiles, more laughter and sweeter kisses
than we’ve ever known. She’s opened our eyes to true beauty and pure love.
So my prayer is that no other mommy will have to go through what I did. My prayer is
that you, too, will now see true beauty and pure love with every sonogram.
And my prayer is when you see that next baby with Down Syndrome lovingly tucked in
her mother’s womb, you will look at that mommy and see me and then tell her the truth:
Your child is perfect.”
Join the TEAM!
Next Generation Life Advisory Council
Ages: 18-25
Respecting a person’s innate value given by God is losing ground in America and around the world. Women and men
are deceived into believing they must earn value, resulting in the mistreatment of those who society feels have not
earned their value. The Next Generation Life Advisory Council is
being assembled to reach peers and youth, instilling the importance
of valuing every life. Speaking at youth groups and schools, the Life
Advisory Council hopes to develop a new culture of life. If you
would like to participate in the Council and are ages 18-25, please
contact Eli Baker at (904) 314-7798.
Training Date: Saturday, September 24, 2016
Speaker: Megan Almon - Life Institute
Psalm 78:6
So the next generation would know them,
even the children yet to be born,
and they in turn would tell their children.
Male Client Accepts Christ
Client Testimonies
As father of the baby, he felt it was his responsibility to come with his girlfriend.
He was surprised when a male mentor approached him and invited him to talk.
The young man admitted he felt a little uncomfortable but came back to one of
the counseling rooms. After a few minutes, everyone heard laughter coming from
the room. He shared with the male mentor that he had a rough life, had been shot,
spent time in jail and was recently in a very bad car accident. He jokingly added,
"I know I am alive because of a praying grandmother." When asked about his
faith, he said he had gone to church a few times growing up. When asked if he
would like to know more about "the One who saved him" from all of the things
he had been through and who his grandmother was praying to, he was quiet for a
minute and softly replied, "Yes, I do want to know more." He was wide-eyed and
amazed to learn the good news of the gospel and when John 3:16 says, "For God
so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in
him shall not perish but have eternal life" that it actually included him. He sat
with tears in his eyes and said he had done a lot of bad things in his life but was
now ready to turn his life over to Jesus Christ, the one who loved him enough to die for him. The male mentor
prayed with him. He couldn't wait to share what he had done with his girlfriend so they joined her and told her
about his decision. She was grateful for all that she received by coming to FCWS, confirmation of her pregnancy,
plans for an ultrasound and a boyfriend/father of the baby that now believed in Christ as she does!
Thank you for using your change to make it possible for our
new parents to receive maternity and baby clothes, diapers
and newborn layettes.
All Souls Anglican Church
Bethlehem Lutheran Church
Calvary Worship Center
Cedar Hills Baptist Church
Celebration Church Macclenny
Christ Church PCA
Christ Church PCA East
Christ Church PCA InTown
Christian Faith Center
Christian Family Chapel
Christ’s Church Fleming Island
Christ’s Church Mandarin
Church of Christ Macclenny
Church of the Redeemer Anglican
Church of Our Savior Anglican
Clay Community Church
Crosspointe Church
Destiny People Worship
Eastside Community Church
Family Bible Church
First Assembly of God Macclenny
First Baptist Church Macclenny
First Baptist Church of Maxville
First Baptist Church of Orange Park
First Baptist Church St. George
First Baptist Church South Campus
First Baptist of Atlantic Beach
First Baptist Church Middleburg
First Christian Church of Macclenny
First Christian Church of Orange Park
First Church of God Middleburg
First UMC Macclenny
First Coast Baptist Church
Freedom Christian Fellowship
Freedom Way Church
Fort Caroline UMC
Fruit Cove Baptist Church
Glen Baptist Church
Glen Church
Grace Anglican Church
Grace Baptist Fellowship
Grace Church of Avondale
Grace Covenant Church
Harvest Bible Chapel
Harvest Ministries
Hickory Grove Baptist Church
Hope Community Church
Kernan Blvd. Baptist Church
Lakewood United Methodist Church
Lakeside Community Church
Lawtey Church of God
Mandarin Baptist Church
Macclenny Primitive Baptist
Monument Point Fellowship
Morning Star Family Church
New Life Church of God
Oakleaf Christian Fellowship
Pinewood Presbyterian
Ponte Vedra Presbyterian Church
Promiseland Baptist
Raiford Road Church
Reverb Church
River Christian Church
Russell Baptist Church
San Jose Baptist Church
Sanderson Congregational Holiness
Souls Harbor Church of God
Southpoint Baptist Church
St. Mary’s Catholic Church
St. Paul’s Catholic Church
St. Peter’s Lutheran Church
Sunrise Community Church
Swiss Cove Christian Church
Switzerland Community Church
The Church of the Good Samaritan
United Christian Church & Academy
University Blvd. Nazarene Church
Westminster Presbyterian Church
Westside Baptist Church
Westside Chapel
Whitehouse Baptist Church
Other groups who participated:
Christian Fellowship Temple - Youth Class
First Baptist Jacksonville - Women’s Ministry
First Baptist Jacksonville - SS Class
Guerry Funeral Home
Healthy Baker Group
Hibernia Baptist - SS Classes
Mandarin UMC - Bible Study Group
Missed Mother’s Day - It’s okay
sign up to participate in the Fall!
Please contact Romy at 549-6100
or email rmedrano@fcwsprc.org
Annual Life Banquet
Banquet Underwriting Sponsorship
$25,000 Life Partner
$10,000 Life Saver
$5,000 Life Protector
$2,500 Life Defender
$1,000 Life Champion
$500 Life Guardian
October 27, 2016
“Hereby perceive we the Love of God, because he laid down his Life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.” I John 3:16
Please consider a life-changing role in our Celebration of Life Banquet by becoming a Sponsor!
Because of the sponsorships and gifts received at our Life Banquet last year;

2,149 women were counseled on life-saving alternatives to abortion

771 babies were saved

436 individuals were presented the gospel

203 families received life transforming education through our HOPE program

17 women received post abortive healing as they participated in the Bible study Forgiven and Set Free
and 21 babies were memorialized.

9 women received grief support from a miscarriage, still birth or early infant loss.
For online giving go to www.fcws.org or mail your check to 11215 San Jose Blvd. Jacksonville, FL 32223. For additional
information on sponsorships please contact Nancy Kelley, Director of Development at 549-6101 or email nkelley@fcwsprc.org.
“How you can help…”
Be A Sponsor!
Sponsors receive:
 A table for 10 with VIP seating
 Invitation to our pre-banquet reception with guest speaker
 Name recognition at event and on banquet materials
Be a Table Host
Invite up to 10 guests to sit at your table(s)
 Pick up invitations at your local center or send
electronic invitation through e-mail
 Register your guest(s) by host name or church
Advertise the Banquet
Help with Invitations and Decorating
Help with Check-in

Assemble invitations and table folders

Check in guests the night of the banquet

Decorate tables the morning of the event

Be an Ambassador, greet guests and answer questions


Invite people who are interested in our mission
 Advertise the banquet in your church bulletin,
Sunday School Class or Bible Study Group
Summer 2016
First Coast Women’s Services
11215 San Jose Blvd.
Jacksonville, FL 32223
Visit Us at www.fcws.org
Heartbeats
NONPROFIT ORG
U.S.POSTAGE
PAID
Jacksonville, FL
Permit No. 2655
Mark your calendars: Visit www.fcws.org for more details!
Sept. 9 & 10, 2016
October 27, 2016
January 15, 2017
Volunteer Training
Annual Life Banquet with Brian Fisher
Sanctity of Human Life Sunday
Top Needs
 Position for Mobile Center Driver
and Maintenance Coordinator
 Volunteers for Mobile Center
both Male and Female Volunteers
needed
Hope
A special thank you to Drummond
Press for printing our newsletter!
and Healing
A Ministry of First Coast Women’s Services
Pregnancy and Infant Loss Support
The Hope & Healing Ministry offers mentoring
and support to those who have lost a baby
through miscarriage, stillbirth or early infant
death. Mentoring is offered to grandparents as
well. The ministry also offers mentoring to those
who are pregnant and have received an adverse
diagnosis for their baby. If you would like to have
a mentor support you in your grief journey,
please leave a voicemail at (904)549-6114 or email
hopeandhealing@fcwsprc.org. Someone will get
back to you as soon as possible.
If you have had a loss and would like to become
a mentor , please contact Cathy Kleine at
(904)651-8523.
Board of Directors
Ken Atlee
Marla Newman Budde
Jeffrey Cox, Treasurer
Bob Hendricks
John Hugghins
Leila LeVan, Secretary
Diane Peed
Foster Shepherd
Bonnie Sleiman
Ellsworth Summers
Keith Townsend, Vice Chairman
Julie Van Voorhis, Chairman
Dave Wilbert
Cheryl B. Williams
John R. Williams Jr.
Judy Weber, CEO