CHURCH

CAPTAINS
GUIDEBOOK
Dear Church Captain,

CareNet recently found in a survey, more than 4 in 10 women who have had an abortion were
churchgoers when they ended a pregnancy. FFurther it found that two-thirds (65 percent) of
Americans say church members judge single women who are pregnant and fewer than half (41
percent) believe churches are prepared to help with decisions about unwanted pregnancies.1 The
results of this survey are shocking and sadly, we know there are others like this. Abortion is a Christian
problem. Its a problem in every church in America, so we must do something NOW.

We are thrilled you have joined the Students for Life of America (SFLA) mission as a Church Captain.
Thank you so much for joining our mission to abolish abortion. Our Church Captain program is
designed to empower your church with education and resources to build a more vibrant culture of life
at your church.

We know its not an easy task to engage church members and grow a Respect Life group within your
church. To help you, our team has designed and can send you (free of charge) a Ministry-in-a-Box
(MIB) each month. Each MIB contains a varying theme that will be prepared with what you need to
host successful events to engage your church and grow your Respect Life ministry group.

You are uniquely gifted with the opportunity to be a first responder to women facing unplanned or
difficult pregnancies and can be a voice for life to empower them to choose life. So, we hope you will
use this Guide Book as a starting point for how to get started transforming your church and your
community by starting or revitalizing your church Respect Life group or committee.

Our Church Captain team at Students for Life of America is here to come alongside your work and
mission at your church to bring more life-affirming resources to your community. We believe that
together we can abolish abortion.

For Life,

Kristan Hawkins
President, Students for Life of America
Contact Us.
Students for Life of America
4755 Jefferson Davis Highway
Fredericksburg, VA 22408
(540) 834-4600
churchcaptains@studentsforlife.org
www.studentsforlife.org
https://www.care-net.org/churches- blog/new-survey-women-go-silently-from-church-to-abortion-clinic
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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Getting Started ........................................................................................................ 3

Leadership and Group Structure ............................................................................. 4
Interest Meeting ...................................................................................................... 6
Plan Your Year .......................................................................................................... 7
Event Ideas ............................................................................................................... 8
Activism Ideas........................................................................................................... 9
Resources for Your Group ........................................................................................ 10
Local Partnerships .................................................................................................... 11
Church Captains Ministry-in-a-Box .......................................................................... 12
Facts about Abortion ............................................................................................... 13
Fetal Development .................................................................................................. 14
The Costs of Raising a Child ..................................................................................... 15
Our Community Resources....................................................................................... 16

THE CANDLE THAT GIVES LIGHT TO OTHER MUST ITSELF

BE CONSUMED,
THUS WE ALSO HAVE TO ACT.

WE OURSELVES ARE CONSUMED

TO GIVE A GOOD EXAMPLE

TO OTHERS.
- Sr. CHARLES BORROMED

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 GETTING STARTED
Write a short paragraph explaining what you want the Respect Life group to become, and share it with
your group. Use it as a reference as you plan events and measure your success. Each event you do should
be directed towards accomplishing your mission as a group and working towards bringing your vision into
fruition. You can update your vision and mission annually as the group changes.

CREATING YOUR VISION STATEMENT

Vision provides answers to the questions What is it that our group is going to accomplish? What are our
long- term goals? Establishing a common vision is important so that you can keep your group on track and
everyone on the same page. You do not want your group to become disillusioned because the group is not
what members expected it to be.

The following questions can help you develop a vision:

What do we want to accomplish short term and long term?
Where do we want to be a year from now?
How do we want to impact our church community?
What kinds of activities are appropriate for our group?

Sample Vision Statement:

St. Jude Respect Life will make St. Jude Church a safe place for women facing unplanned pregnancies.

CREATING YOUR MISSION STATEMENT

As you are planning your vision, write out a mission statement. The mission statement explains to your
group and your community why you exist and how your group aims to achieve your vision.

Sample Mission Statements:

St. Jude Respect Life is transforming our parish so members know the reality of abortion and how to
engage to end it, and how to help those in the midst of crisis to choose life.

ORDER YOUR RESOURCES

Order your Monthly Ministry-in-a-Box from the SFLA Team by submitting a request through:
https://goo.gl/forms/gnli5X4oQcHgqWkA2
Download, Customize, and Print Flyers for your Events!
SFLA offers several flyers that your group can customize and print to your needs. Visit:
http://studentsforlife.org/resources/organize-an-event/ to find flyers that you can print and
use in your church community!
Get One-on-One Support from your SFLA Team. Students for Life of America has an expert
team of professionals to help your church pro-life group, wherever you live! Our team is
available to you! Let us know if you have questions.
Contact churchcaptains@studentsforlife.org.

When the time comes, as it surely will, when we face that awesome moment, the final
judgment, Ive often thought, as Fulton Sheen wrote, that it is a terrible moment of loneliness.
You have no advocates, you are there alone standing before God -- and a terror will rip your
soul like nothing you can imagine. But I really think that those in the pro-life movement will not
be alone. I think therell be a chorus of voices that have never been heard in this world but are
heard beautifully and clearly in the next world -- and they will plead for everyone who has been
in this movement. They will say to God, Spare him, because he loved us! - Congressman Henry
Hyde

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LEADERSHIP AND GROUP STRUCTURE

YOUR CORE TEAM

Your Core Team will consist of the most active members of your Respect Life group. They will lead your
group by coordinating meetings, developing effective strategies, planning events, and keeping your group
focused on your vision and mission. Your Core Team members will likely include:

DIRECTOR

Responsible for bringing the group together and on task. Serves as the main leader of the group who
recognizes the passions in others and encourages outreaches that fit their interests
Provides vision and direction, short-term and long-term
Oversees all other officers and helps them carry out their duties
Delegates tasks among officers and members
Runs meetings
Is the public face of the group
Ensures all tasks are completed - If someone else drops the ball, the Directors responsibility is to
pick up the slack
Sees that at least one core team member meets individually with potential members
Motivates other members
Sends regular updates to SFLA Church Captains team at churchcaptains@studentsforlife.org; we love
to hear how youre doing!

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR

Assists the Director in managing core team members and other members
Fills in for Director when needed
Helps plan events
Meets every new attendee at meetings
Helps Director develop strategies and new ideas
Manages committees

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LEADERSHIP AND GROUP STRUCTURE
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (CONT.)
Develops budget
Solicits Church Ministry Activities Funds
Pays bills
Keeps track of all banking information
Contacts and encourages inconsistent members to attend and participate in events and meetings
Backs up all picture and files in multiple places

OTHER LEADERSHIP POSITIONS

Depending on the size and involvement of your group, you may need to create other leadership positions
to better delegate the many responsibilities of your group. These leadership positions can also be set up in
a committee structure to engage more than one individual in the group. Potential positions may include:

COMMUNITY LIAISON

Responsible for working with the larger pro-life community for needs that the Church group might
be able to help with. This might include working with the Knights of Columbus or Right to Life
organizations to organize events or even helping a Students for Life group to attend the March for
Life or the Walk for Life.

SOCIAL MEDIA DIRECTOR

Responsible for posting your events and pictures to social media platforms to engage with your
church and community

PREGNANCY/FAMILY RESOURCES DIRECTOR

Finds out the needs of local pregnancy resource centers and helps organize events and activities.
They work with pregnant and parenting church members and help meet material needs

POST-ABORTION RESOURCES DIRECTOR

Promotes and connects church with local post-abortion healing programs and counselors. (Those are
often hosted through Rachels Vineyard, Project Rachel, your local diocese, or local pregnancy
resource centers.)

EVANGELISM DIRECTOR

Posts flyers on church bulletin boards, submits text for the bulletin, and submit announcements to
the pastor to be read at services Spiritual Advisor
Usually a pastor or deacon who can provide spiritual support and renewal to the group Social Events
Coordinator

Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I
appointed you a prophet to the nations.
Jeremiah 1:5

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 HOLDING AN INTEREST MEETING
Choose a date and time that is most convenient for your church community members to attend. It is a great
idea to have some food provided (nothing fancy needed, snacks will do just fine). You should promote this
meeting at least a week in advance and have it announced at each service the week of the meeting. Posting
flyers with the information around your church is another good way to draw people in to attend.
In preparation for your interest meeting, create an agenda for yourself and the other leaders who will
attend to keep the meeting organized and running on time.

SAMPLE MEETING AGENDA

I. INTRODUCTION
Introduce yourself and others who are helping start the Respect Life group.
Have each person say their name and why they are interested in the Respect Life group.
Pass around a clipboard for everyone in attendance sign in with their name, email address,
and phone number . (Have them indicate if call or text message is the best form of contact).

II. VISION AND MISSION

Explain your vision for the group and what you would like to accomplish as a church ministry group.
What events and activities would you like to do to accomplish this?
Ask for different event and campaign ideas from attendees.

III. DETERMINE INTERESTS

Poll the meeting attendees on the best time to meet and what interests them the most.
Make sure your official meeting time as a group is convenient for as many as possible.
Take this time to ask the potential members when they would prefer to meet and how often.
(Once per month is suggested.)
Ask the attendees for their areas of interest. Do you have attendees that are more interested
in apologetics (defending their pro-life beliefs), end of life issues, education awareness, or
pregnancy resources?
Make a note of what your attendees say they are most interested in, so you can be sure to
include them when you host or plan an event. They are more likely to help and attend if you give
them opportunities to lead new outreaches and projects of things they are interested in.

IV. Q&A
Set aside some time for people to ask questions about the group.

V. PLAN AHEAD
Set a date and time for your next meeting and decide on your first event. Keep in mind you might have
to get permission for events from your pastor, so leave plenty of time to speak to your pastor.

VI. SOCIAL TIME

Eat and socialize. Make time to get to know the people who came. This is the most effective way to
retain engaged members.

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 PLAN YOUR YEAR
1. Use your churchs calendar, group calendar, or
another calendar to mark the following dates:
All major holidays
Church or community events
2. Fill in all national pro-life events and campaigns,
such as:
Respect Life/Life Chain Sunday October 1st
National Day of Silent Solidarity October
18th
Fall and Spring 40 Days for Life Campaign
Fall and Spring
National March for Life January
Local March for Life
Students for Life National Conference (so you
can work with the youth group at your church
to promote). January
Students for Life Regional Leadership Summit
(so you can work with the youth group at your
church to promote). Fall and Spring
Pro-Life T-shirt Day (wear pro-life shirts to
your church service!) April 21st
National Pro-Life Chalk Day March 2nd
National Community Baby Shower Day
October 26th and October 27th
National Adoption Day November 18th
Rescue those being led away to death.
Proverbs 24:11-12
Students for Life of America 2017
Infant and Pregnancy Loss Awareness Day
October 15th
National Foster Care Month - May
3. Now that you have an idea of what your year
will look like, go ahead and mark your meeting times
on your calendar so that everyone can plan ahead.
4. Next, plan recruitment events for the beginning,
middle, and end of the year. Find out if your church
has a ministry fair and reserve a spot. You could also
have a tabling display or event specifically aimed at
recruiting new members. Plan to attend community
events at your church that you can reach people at
as well!
5. Most importantly, set goals for events. We
recommend that your group has a least one event
per month. This can include a flyering campaign, a
baby item drive or baby shower, a fetal development
display, outreach for post-abortion healing, or
education around end of life issues and resources.
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 EVENT & ACTIVISM IDEAS
The following events are ways you can start to engage your community. Remember to get permission from
your pastor, if necessary.

Order and host the Monthly Ministry-in-a-
Box
Contact the Church Captains Director for details
churchcaptains@studentsforlife.org
Host a Christmas Giving Tree
Material needs drive or you can adopt families in need
and collect items they need
Run awareness campaigns
Flyers, bulletin inserts/blurbs, and announcements
Table after church services with resources
and education
Volunteer at church events as a group to be
visible and supportive of community efforts
Host a Life Chain outside of your Church or
along a busy street
Attend your local March for Life
Support the youth group to attend local
pro-life events or the National March for Life
Get the youth group involved to help with
Pro-Life Sidewalk Chalk Day to chalk positive
and loving messages outside the entrances of
your church
Write letters to your local political leaders
in support of life issues
Write letters of support for clients at local
pregancy resource centers
Hold a Candlelight Vigil for all of those
that have been killed since Roe v. Wade and
Doe v. Bolton
Put together a Cemetery of the
Innocents Display on your church grounds
Start sidewalk counseling at a local
abortion facility
Peacefully Protest your local abortion
facility
Bring a pro-life speaker or multiple
speakers to host a pro-life panel at your
church
Attend local pro-life rallies and prayer vigils
Look for local pro-life conferences,
which are often sponsored by Diocese Respect
Life Offices or local pro-life organizations
Educate your church about the truth of
Planned Parenthood

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 EVENT & ACTIVISM IDEAS (CONT.)

Fundraise to sponsor local pro-life Write an editorial for your church

efforts bulletin.

Invite your local Students for Life of
America Regional Coordinator or National
Team Member to speak at a respect life
meeting or youth group meeting. Email
churchcaptains@studentsforlife.org to
get connected.
Hold a Diaper or Material Needs Drive to
help local pregnant women and families
in need.
Organize a pro-life Get Out the Vote
campaign.

Place bulletin inserts with various Organize rallies in your community.

resources and facts about pro-life issues.
Join your local Pro-Life Future Chapter
Get permission to have a Pro-Life for events and outreaches. To find your
Corner on the church bulletin boards local chapter, contact churchcaptains@
where you can promote local resources studentsforlife.org
and place facts/statistics in a Did you
know campaign?, prayer requests,
volunteer opportunities, and event
information.

SUGGESTION
Plan events as a group so that you can see who is interested in what types of events. If a member
seems engaged in an idea, allow them to run with it! It is also helpful to have your schedule of
these events approved as far in advance as necessary to better advertise your group activities to
your church community.

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 RESOURCES FOR YOUR GROUP
As a Church Captain, you will gain access to all available Church Captain program resources. Resources are
free (or charge per item). Email the SFLA Church Captains Director at churchcaptains@studentsforlife.org to
place an order for your group.

TOPIC CARDS
SFLA topic cards for all the tough questions. You can request any number of the topic cards to hand out at
events and counter demonstrations, use for tabling, and distribute throughout your church.

What about the Life and Health of the Mother?

Post-Abortion Healing
Abortion Pill Reversal
Human Development Card (Fetal Development)
What about Fetal Abnormalities?
Abortion and Sexual Assault
What does Planned Parenthood have Planned for You?
Dispelling the Myths about Safe Sex
Does Overpopulation Justify Abortion?
Has Legal Abortion Really Helped Women?
RU486 Abortion Pill Information Card
Know Your Roe and Doe
Abortion and Foster Care
Abortion Procedures / Violence of Abortion
Whats so wrong with the pill?
Five Pillars of Pro-Life Activism

DROP CARDS
These drop cards are great to leave in the bathrooms and around the church.

Plan B Awareness
Pregnant? Need help?
Abortion Pill Reversal

BROCHURES

Abortion and Breast Cancer

Abortion and Preterm Birth
Abortion and Mental Health

GUIDEBOOKS

Church Captain Guidebook

Middle School, High School, Homeschool, and College Guidebooks (to distribute to pro-life youth in
your church)
Youth Ministers Guidebook (this is a helpful tool for your churchs youth minister to practically
discuss pro-life values to the youth group)

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 LOCAL PARTNERSHIPS

We know there is strength when we unite as a movement and we encourage your church to attend local
pro-life events and connect with the local pro-life organizations in your area!

IN YOUR CHURCH
Ask other groups within your church to partner with you on projects or events. You may reach out to:
Youth and/or Young Adult Outreach
Mothers group
Knights of Columbus

IN YOUR COMMUNITY
In your community, you probably have several local organizations that provide life-affirming resources and
support. Take time to survey your community to identify what organizations may be available to support.
These organizations may include:
Pregnancy Resource Center(s)
Maternity Homes
Adoption Agencies
Organizations that help bring materials to children in Foster Care

You may also have local pro-life groups who would be excited to partner with you! Look for:
40 Days for Life campaigns
State and County Right to Life groups
Silent No More
Students for Life
Pro-Life Future

SUGGESTION
Make a list of partnership opportunities in your church and community. Include the name of the
group (or organization), their group or leaders contact information, and the type of outreach
that they provide. Reach out to each group or organization to learn more, ask about event
opportunities, or meet up.

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CHURCH CAPTAIN MINISTRY-IN-A-BOX
As a Church Captain, you will have the opportunity to receive free resources from Students for Life of
America to advance your mission in your church community. Each month, the Church Captain program
will offer a themed box of materials that you are able to use at your church to reach those in need of
compassionate resources and to educate and bring your community together in solidarity with the pro-life
movement. These boxes will include such items as:

Sample Bulletin Inserts

Flyers
Event or Activity Recommendations
Social Media Images

The Ministry-in-a-Box resource will be available all year. Boxes can be ordered for an entire year or simply
by month depending on the interests of your group. There is no requirement for how big your group or
church is to receive one. Heres how you order your Ministry-in-a-Box:

Email churchcaptains@studentsforlife.org or fill out the form:

https://goo.gl/forms/gnli5X4oQcHgqWkA2
Select the month
Provide your email address, phone number, and mailing address.

Contact the Church Captains Program Coordinator, at churchcaptains@studentsforlife.org, for more

information.

SAMPLE MINISTRY-IN-A-BOX

Month: November
Theme: Adoption Awareness Month
Contents: Information about hosting or promotion an
Adoption Fair, ways to engage your community about
adoption, and ways you can help share the testimonies
of those who adoption has impacted.

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 FACTS ABOUT ABORTION
America averages approximately one million abortions per year, approximately 2,740 a day, which is almost
two babies a minute.

45% of women obtaining abortions in America When abortion occurs*:

are under the age of 25.
66% of all abortions occur before the 9th week
54% of women identify as Christian at the time of pregnancy.
of their abortion.
14.5% are performed between the 9th and 10th
24% Catholic week of pregnancy.

17% Mainline Protestant
13% Evangelical Protestant
73.5% of all abortions occur for a personal or
socioeconomic reasons (i.e. the child
is unwanted or inconvenient, financial
difficulties, relationship complications,
interference with personal goals such as
school or career.)
1.5% of abortions occur because of rape or
incest.
12% of abortions occur because of potential
health problems regarding the mother.
13% regarding potential fetal health problems.
59% of women who have abortions are
already mothers (i.e. have had at least
one previous birth).
51% of abortion patients were using a
contraception method the month they
became pregnant.
8.3% happen between the 11th and 12th week
of pregnancy.
6.2% happen between the 13th and 16th week.
of pregnancy.
3.8% occur between the 16th and 20th week of
pregnancy.
1.3% of all abortions happen after the 20th
week of pregnancy.
Many women who obtain abortions have had
abortions already. 47% of all abortion patients
have had abortions previously. Of these women:
59% are obtaining their second
25% are obtaining their third
15% are obtaining their fourth or more
abortion

*Abortion is federally legal through the entire pregnancy (until the day of birth).

SOURCES
Guttmacher Institute. (2017, January). Induced Abortion in the United States. Retrieved from ht-
tps://www.guttmacher.org/fact- sheet/induced-abortion-united-states
Guttmacher Institute. (2005, March). Reasons U.S. Women have Abortions: Quantitative and
Qualitative Perspectives. Retrieved from https://www.guttmacher.org/journals/psrh/2005/rea-
sons-us-women-have-abortions-quantitative-and-qualitative-perspectives
Jones et al. (2006, November). Repeat Abortion in the United States. Retrieved from https://www.
guttmacher.org/sites/default/files/pdfs/pubs/2006/11/21/or29.pdf

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 FETAL DEVELOPMENT
FIRST TRIMESTER
BY FOUR WEEKS POST CONCEPTION, a
babys heart beats 80 times per minute.
28 DAYS: Arms and legs are budding. *Most
women dont realize that they are pregnant
until they are approximately four weeks (28
days).
42 DAYS: Skeleton is formed. Brain coordinates
movement of muscles and organs.
43 DAYS: Brain waves can be recorded.
8 1/2 WEEKS: Fingerprints are being engraved.
Eyelids and palms of hands are sensitive to
touch.
9 WEEKS: Child will bend fingers around an
object placed in the palm. Thumb sucking
occurs. Fingernails are now forming.
10 WEEKS: Body is sensitive to touch. Child
squints, swallows, puckers up brow, and
frowns.
12 WEEKS: Child can kick, turn feet, curl and
fan toes, make a fist, move thumbs, bend
wrists, turn head, open mouth and press
lips tightly together. *Most abortions are
performed before or during this time.
SECOND TRIMESTER
4 MONTHS: Child can grasp with hands, swim,
and turn somersaults.
5 MONTHS: Sleeping habits appear, but a
slammed door will provoke activity. Child
responds to sounds in frequencies too high or
low for adults to hear.
6 MONTHS: Fine hair grows on eyebrows and
head. Babies born at this age have survived.
THIRD TRIMESTER
7 MONTHS: Eyelids open and close; eyes
look around. Mothers voice is heard and
recognized.
9 MONTHS: Child triggers labor and birth
occurs. Of 45 generations of cell divisions
before adulthood, 41 have taken place.

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 THE COST OF RAISING A CHILD

UNDERSTANDING THE COSTS

According to U.S. Department of Agriculture, the projected cost of raising a child 0-2 years old is $12,940
per year. In 2015, the USDA reported that the cost of raising a child (from birth to age 17) is approximately
$233,610.

Explaining the costs of parenthood can help motivate your church to donate to your local pregnancy
resource center (PRC), to contribute to gifts for pregnant women in your church family, or to support a
similar project hosted by your group.
The total costs of raising a child are often divided like this:
29% ($67,746.90) Housing
18% ($42,049.80) Food
16% ($37,377.60) Childcare and Education
15% ($35,041.50) Transportation
9% ($21,024.90) Health Care
7% ($16,352.70) Sports, Recreation, and Other Costs
6% ($14,016.60) Clothing

MEETING THESE NEEDS

As a church group, you can help meet these needs by supporting individuals, families, or local
organizations. Here are some ideas for group projects or campaigns:
Coordinate a Family Pantry in your church including such items as baby food, diapers, childrens toys,
grocery gift cards.
Host a community baby shower each year for new or expecting church members.
Collect donations (e.g. monetary or material) for your local pregnancy resource center.

LEARN MORE
U.S. Department of Agriculture, (2017, January). Families Projected to Spend an Average of
$233,610 Raising a Child Born in 2015. Retrieved from https://www.usda.gov/media/press-relea-
ses/2017/01/09/families- projected-spend-average-233610-raising-child-born-2015

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OUR COMMUNITY RESOURCES
By finding all the awesome resources in your local area, you
will be able to better serve those in need at your church.
Use the questions below to put together a resource page or
pamphlet that you can display and pass out to your church
members.

What are the names, locations, and services offered of

the Pregnancy Resource Centers around your church?
Check out https://optionline.org/center-locator/ for
help with this.

What are the names and contact information for adop-

tion agencies?

What is the contact information and dates for the nea-

rest post-abortion healing programs and retreats?
Have you contacted your local Pro-Life Future Chapter?
Contact us to learn more about PLF, our young adult
groups, and get connected.

What is the information for local material needs resour-

ces for families (i.e. Gabriel House, Food Banks, Diaper
Banks, etc.)

Have you connected with local Respect Life Offices and

Groups? Often, they have lists of these resources and
more.

Is there a Sidewalk Advocates for Life community group

that you can join in sidewalk counseling?

Are there faith based hospice groups and pro-life end of

life resource organizations?

Perinatal Hospice Programs near me website: http://

www.perinatalhospice.org/list-of-programs.html.

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