A new report shows a huge drop in abortions in Missouri. Concerned Women for America if Kansas State Director, Bev Ehlen, “This is very encouraging news!”
Read the details here.
Time-sensitive – Comments Deadline is Wednesday, January 15
The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) released the revised proposed rule, 5 CSR 20-100.295 Missouri School Improvement Program 6 (MSIP 6), for public comment on December 16, 2019. If enacted, the proposed rules changes will diminish local control and centralize the management of our public school districts.
DESE’s MSIP 6 webpage describes the difference between its current standards (MSIP 5) and the proposed standards: “The most recent generation of MSIP (MSIP 5) focuses on student performance [emphasis added] metrics – output measures. The next generation will continue to emphasize standards for student performance but will also emphasize leading indicators – inputs in economic terms – that will ensure healthy school systems and the continuous improvement process.”
In other words, DESE is effectively proposing standards that will diminish local control and centralize school district management at the department.
Take Action:
Make your voice heard by providing your comments concerning the proposed rule change. Click here to enter your comments. The public comment period deadline is 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 15. You may use the sample language below or respond in your own words. You can read the entire proposed rule available on the website to consider other standards for comment.
The number of responses DESE receives is VERY important. As a reminder, the first proposed rule requiring schools to teach gender diversity was withdrawn because DESE received almost 1500 responses opposing the proposed change.
Sample comments:
DESE’s proposed MSIP standards change Missouri’s school district accreditation standards to effectively centralize authority over districts at the state level in violation of Missouri law. That is, several proposed standards limit the discretion of local school boards to manage districts and determine personnel needs by requiring boards to structure their purpose and personnel organization in specific ways in order to be accredited.
OR
The proposed MSIP 6 standards create a double standard in which local districts are held accountable for compliance with state statutes, but DESE evaluators are not accountable for standards that are themselves incompliant with Missouri statutes. Furthermore, word choice used in several standards, for example, stakeholders (which is not defined in Missouri statute and may include non-resident representatives of advocacy organizations) rather than taxpayer (which would require representation of residents), allows DESE evaluators to determine the definition of terms; thereby increasing its power to control the influences affecting policies districts will be compelled to implement to score well on MSIP 6 evaluations.
OR
The proposed MSIP standards should be reviewed for alignment with Missouri law and ensure the protection of local school board authority.
Thank you.
Bev Ehlen
State Director
Time-sensitive – calls needed by Friday, December 6.
The City of St. Louis is considering passing a ban on therapy for a minor who is not comfortable with same-sex attraction or has gender identity issues.
Here are the facts:
- BB152 has been filed by St. Louis Alderwoman, Christine Ingrassia.
- BB152 prohibits medical and mental healthcare providers from providing “conversion therapy,” also known as reparative therapy, ex-gay therapy, or sexual orientation and gender identity change efforts to a minor.
- BB152 was heard in the Health and Human Services Committee on Wednesday, November 13, where several spoke in support and opposition of the bill. The committee unanimously voted that same morning to pass it out of committee and onto the full Board of Aldermen.
- BB152 could be brought up for perfection and final vote in the regular Friday meeting of the full Board of Aldermen on Friday, December 6.
Immediate Action Needed
Please contact the members of the St. Louis Board of Aldermen (see list below) regarding the proposed ban on “conversion reparative” therapy for minors in the city of St. Louis. Ask them to vote no on BB152. Please be kind and respectful in your correspondence.
Please pass this information on to others you know who would be interested in this issue.
Thank you.
Bev Ehlen
State Director
Concerned Women for America of Missouri
St. Louis Board of Aldermen
Sharon Tyus, Ward 1
(314) 622-3287
https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/departments/aldermen/ward-1/
Lisa Middlebrook, Ward 2
(314) 622-3287
https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/departments/aldermen/ward-2/
Brandon Bosley, Ward 3
(314) 622-3287
https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/departments/aldermen/ward-3/
Samuel L Moore, Ward 4
(314) 622-3287
https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/departments/aldermen/ward-4/
Tammika Hubbard, Ward 5
(314) 622-3287
https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/departments/aldermen/ward-5/
Christine Ingrassia (Sponsor of BB152), Ward 6
(314) 622-3287
https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/departments/aldermen/ward-6/
Jack Coatar, Ward 7
(314) 622-3287
https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/departments/aldermen/ward-7/
Annie Rice (Co-sponsor of BB152), Ward 8
(314) 622-3287
https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/departments/aldermen/ward-8/
Dan Guenther, Ward 9
(314) 622-3287
https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/departments/aldermen/ward-9/
Joseph Vollmer, Ward 10
(314) 622-3287
https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/departments/aldermen/ward-10/
Sarah Martin, Ward 11
(314) 622-3287
https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/departments/aldermen/ward-11/
Larry Arnowitz, Chairman, Ward 12
(314) 622-3287
https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/departments/aldermen/ward-12/
Beth Murphy, Ward 13
(314) 622-32874
https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/departments/aldermen/ward-13/
Carol Howard, Ward 14
(314) 622-3287
https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/departments/aldermen/ward-14/
Megan E. Green (Co-sponsor of BB152), Ward 15
(314) 622-3287
https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/departments/aldermen/ward-15/
Tom Oldenburg, Ward 16
(314) 622-3287
https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/departments/aldermen/ward-16/
Joseph D. Roddy, Ward 17
(314) 622-3287
https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/departments/aldermen/ward-17/
Jesse Todd (Co-sponsor of BB152), Ward 18
(314) 622-3287
https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/departments/aldermen/ward-18/
Marlene E Davis
(314) 622-3287
https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/departments/aldermen/ward-19/
Cara Spencer, Ward 20
(314) 622-3287
https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/departments/aldermen/ward-20/
John Collins-Muhammad, Ward 21
(314) 622-3287
https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/departments/aldermen/ward-21/
Jeffrey L Boyd, Ward 22
(314) 622-3287
https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/departments/aldermen/ward-22/
Joseph Vaccaro, Ward 23
(314) 622-3287
https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/departments/aldermen/ward-23/
Bret Narayan, Ward 24
(314) 622-3287
https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/departments/aldermen/ward-24/
Shane Cohn, Ward 25
(314) 622-3287
https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/departments/aldermen/ward-25/
Shameem Clark Hubbard, Ward 26
(314) 622-3287
https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/departments/aldermen/ward-26/
Pam Boyd, Ward 27
(314) 622-3287
https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/departments/aldermen/ward-27/
Heather Navarro, Ward 28
(314) 622-3287
https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/departments/aldermen/ward-28/
CWA of Missouri is disappointed that Health and Human Services advances the therapy ban. Read more here:
Backers, foes of banning gay conversion therapy square off at St. Louis City Hall
Recommended article by CWA of Missouri: Federal judge denies Missouri’s request to unblock 20-week abortion ban
Recommended article by CWA of Missouri: Missouri abortion law critics won’t seek signatures for vote
Concerned Women for America of Missouri is grateful that Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft takes his oath of office seriously and follows all of the election procedures provided in the Missouri Constitution.
Are you ready to take your knowledge and put it into action? If so, a CWA Prayer/Action Chapter is the perfect place to do so.
“What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works?” James 2:14
First: Find out what a Prayer/Action Chapter is as well as what a typical one looks like.
Second: Click here to find a Prayer/Action Chapter in your area and learn more.
State Panel issues order-abortions can continue at Planned Parenthood in St. Louis.
CWA of Missouri recommends this article: Abortions can continue at Planned Parenthood in St. Louis under order from state panel
Commissioner Sreenivasa Rao Dandamudi granted the stay Planned Parenthood requested to be able to continue to do abortions. The Missouri Administrative Hearing Commission will meet on August 1 to make a final decision on licensing of Planned Parenthood-STL to do abortions.
Recommended article by CWA of Missouri: License dispute over Missouri’s last abortion clinic heads to state commission
CWA of Missouri is happy to see that Judge Stelzer will end his injunction that allows Planned Parenthood in St. Louis to continue to do abortions even without a current license by the state on Friday, June 28. The Missouri Administrative Hearing Commission, which handles bureaucratic disputes, will review the case. However, that hearing is set for Aug. 1.
Recommended article by CWA of Missouri: Fate of Missouri’s only abortion clinic in hands of judge after state denies license
CWA of Missouri supports the decision of the Department of Health and Senior Services to deny license to do abortions at the Planned Parenthood facility on Forest Park Blvd. The facility failed to fulfill what the department required. Judge Stelzer however, is keeping his injunction in place which will allow the Planned Parenthood facility to continue to do abortions.
Recommended article by CWA of Missouri: Missouri denies Planned Parenthood new license to administer abortions
CWA of Missouri has always supported the principle that an abortion clinic should have the same health and safety standards of other ambulatory health/surgery facilities.
Missouri’s 100th General Assembly, First Regular Session, ended on Friday, May 17.
It was a very busy legislative session, and Concerned Women for America (CWA) of Missouri was active at the State Capitol representing your voice every week during the session. I want to thank CWA of Missouri’s legislative team, Alissa Johnson and Vicki Leuther, for accompanying me every week of the session advocating for public policy that will benefit the family and instill Biblical values in our culture.
As Christians, we have the Truth – the Bible – to tell us what is right and wrong. The Bible sets the standard – it is our guide. CWA of Missouri is active at the Capitol to interject God’s Biblical truths into public policy.
Pro-Life Victory!
The biggest news of the session was the passage of HB126, the Missouri Stands for the Unborn Act sponsored by Rep. Nick Schroer (R-O’Fallon). HB 126 passed the Senate on May 16, the House on May 17, and was signed into law by Gov. Mike Parson (Republican) on May 24! HB126 prohibits abortions after eight weeks and contains a prohibition of discriminatory abortions. It also requires both parents to be notified when a minor is seeking an abortion, expands the tax credits for crisis pregnancy centers, puts in state statute the “Late-Term Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act,” and establishes Missouri as a sanctuary of life – banning abortions except for medical emergency when Roe v Wade is overturned.
We are proud to be the eighth state this year to pass stringent abortion bans. Thanks be to God!
Here are other bills CWA of Missouri either actively worked on or watched during this session.
HB138, “Simon’s Law,” sponsored by Rep. Bill Kidd (R-Independence), requires one parent’s or guardian’s permission before a Do Not Resuscitate order is issued for a minor. HB138 was Truly Agreed and Finally Passed on May 13, having passed both the House and the Senate. CWA of Missouri supported the bill.
SCR3, sponsored by Sen. Ed Emery (R-Lamar), declares pornography a public health crisis. SCR3 passed the Senate in March. After a three-week delay of being assigned to a committee by the Speaker, SCR3 was assigned to the House Judiciary Committee. It passed the Judiciary Committee and then the Rules Committee and was placed on the House calendar but was not brought up for debate and vote before the end of the session. CWA of Missouri supported the bill.
HCR20, sponsored by Rep. Ken Wilson (R-Smithville), declares pornography a public health crisis. HCR20 passed two House committees but wasn’t put on the House Calendar for debate and vote. CWA of Missouri supported the bill.
SB382, sponsored by Sen. Ed Emery (R-Lamar), establishes the Safer Internet for Children Act. SB382 was heard and passed in Senate Committee. This is the first year for the bill. It will be filed next session again, and hopefully, make it through both the Senate and the House and to the Governor’s desk! CWA of Missouri supported the bill.
HB188, sponsored by Rep. Holly Rehder (R-Sikeston), would create a statewide Prescription Drug Monitoring Program. HB188 passed the House and was voted “do pass out” of Senate Committee. A threatened filibuster by the Conservative Caucus in the Senate kept it on the Senate Calendar without coming to a vote in the Senate. CWA of Missouri opposed the bill.
HB350, sponsored by Rep. Tom Hannegan (R-St. Charles), adds Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity to the Missouri Non-Discrimination Act. HB350 was heard in the House Committee on May 8. Thankfully it was too late in the session for the bill to move forward. CWA of Missouri opposed the bill.
HB728, sponsored by Rep. Hardy Billington (R-Poplar Bluff), requires the name of the real party in interest to be named in civil actions involving the First Amendment. “Real party in interest” means no more anonymous lawsuits when it comes to religious liberty. HB728 passed the House and was heard in the Senate committee but was never brought up for a vote by the chairman. CWA of Missouri supported the bill.
HB577, sponsored by Rep. Dean Dohrman (R-Sedalia), requires public schools to display the national motto prominently in each school building. HB577 was heard in House committee on April 30, but the chairman never brought it up for a vote. Hopefully, it will be in the next session! CWA of Missouri supported the bill.
SCR15, sponsored by Sen. Eric Burlison (R-Springfield), creates procedures for the appointment of commissioners to a convention called under Article V of the U.S. Constitution. SCR15 was heard and passed out of Senate committee and placed on the Senate Calendar but was never brought up for a debate and vote in the full Senate. CWA of Missouri is opposed to the calling of an Article V convention for proposing amendments to the U.S. Constitution. We were watching this and speaking with members of the Missouri General Assembly (MOGA) regarding the concerns in calling for such a convention. The MOGA did pass its call (SCR4) in 2017, but it has a five-year sunset clause, so we are working the issue hoping to kill any renewal of the call as the sunset provision approaches (2022.)
HB1006, sponsored by Rep. Holly Rehder (R-Sikeston), the bill prohibits public bodies from entering into certain contracts with companies/corporations who are active in the Boycott, Divest, and Sanction (BDS) movement against Israel. HB1006 passed the House on May 13 and then was referred to the Senate, but the session ended before any action was taken in the Senate. CWA of Missouri supported the bill.
HB592, sponsored by Rep. Curtis Trent (R-Springfield), creates new provisions related to student data privacy. HB592 passed the first House committee but got stuck in the Rules Committee and never went anywhere. CWA of Missouri supported the bill.
HB267, sponsored by Rep. Ben Baker (R-Joplin), allows school districts to offer elective social studies courses on the Hebrew Scriptures and the New Testament. HB267 passed the House and made it through the Senate committee but was not placed on the Senate calendar. CWA of Missouri supported the bill.
For a complete list of all the bills for the 2019 session, go to house.mo.gov and select the Legislation tab. You can search by subject or sponsor name. Click here for the bill list for the House and here for the Senate bill list.
Moving forward: We will now concentrate on holding meetings across Missouri educating Missourians on our core issues. If you would like us to come to speak at a meeting or host a meeting in your area, do not hesitate to contact me at 314-608-0168.
Thank you!
Bev Ehlen
State Director
CWA of Missouri
CWA of Missouri has traditionally presented gifts to the members of the Missouri General Assembly to celebrate Easter and Constitution Day.
This Easter we will be presenting Lee Strobel’s book, The Case for Easter: A Journalist Investigates Evidence for the Resurrection. Lee Strobel writes the “investigation” into Christ’s death answers three crucial questions seekers ask: Was Jesus’ death a sham? Was his tomb really empty? Was he seen alive after his death on the cross? Strobel’s award-winning skills as a legal journalist will persuade even the most hard-boiled skeptics to reconsider Jesus’ death and resurrection.
The gifts will be delivered to each member of the Missouri General Assembly at the State Capitol on Wednesday, April 17. A Resurrection Day card bearing the sponsor’s name and address will accompany the book along with chocolates.
______________________________
We are asking for $10 to sponsor your state representative or state senator. Please send a check to the address below by Friday, April 12, written out to “CWA” with “MO Easter Project” in the memo line. If you have any questions, feel free to contact Ginger Yoak at 636-561-3145 or [email protected]
Click here to view and print flyer.
On Wednesday, February 26, the Missouri House of Representatives passed HB126, the Missouri Stands for the Unborn Act, by a vote of 117 – 39. Thanks be to God! HB126, also known as the “Heartbeat Bill,” would prohibit abortions once the fetal heartbeat is detected. HB126, sponsored by Rep. Nick Schroer (R-O’Fallon), was perfected on Tuesday, February 26. During the perfection process, several more measures were adopted into the bill, and HB126 became what has been called “the strongest pro-life bill ever attempted in the United States.”
This bill specifies the following:
- If there is any change in federal law or court decisions that allows abortion, it is the intent of the state of Missouri that abortion shall not be permitted in the state under any circumstances. If a total ban on abortion is not possible, abortions shall be limited to women who are less than eight weeks gestational age, with a required fetal heartbeat or brain function test, except in cases of medical emergency. This has become known as the “trigger law” which would go into effect when Roe v. Wade is overturned.
- If the state is prohibited from adopting the fetal heartbeat standard, abortions shall be limited to women less than 14 weeks gestational age. And, if that is not possible, Missouri will adopt a pain-capable standard, and abortions will not be permitted past 18 weeks gestational age.
- Prohibits selective abortions due to sex, race, or a diagnosis or potential diagnosis of Down Syndrome.
- Requires that for a minor to obtain an abortion, she must have consent of one parent and the physician must make a reasonable effort to notify the other custodial parent prior to performing the procedure.
- Requires that any referral for an abortion from a provider out-of-state be accompanied by all Missouri informed consent materials, either presented in person or mailed in within a reasonable amount of time.
- Increases the amount of medical malpractice insurance that an abortion provider must carry.
The bill will now go to the Senate for consideration. We call upon our pro-life Senate to take up HB 126 as passed in the House, pass it and send it to the Governor’s desk.
Please join us in prayer! We call upon our God to confuse the enemy and defeat any filibuster that the Democrats are planning in the Senate. We ask for wisdom and guidance for the two of us as we interact with many at the capitol today on this issue and others. Thank you.
Go here for the passed version on HB126
Go here for the summary of the passed version of HB126
Go here for the vote of the passed version of HB126.
Thank you.
Bev Ehlen
State Director
CWA of Missouri
[email protected]
Gina Allen
Pro Life Coordinator
CWA of Missouri
[email protected]
It was another busy week at the Capitol. There were some great bills filed, some great pro-life bills heard in committee, and terrific interaction between the members of our legislative team and members of the Missouri General Assembly.
Sex Trafficking/Pornography
We are excited to announce that Sen. Ed Emery (R-District 31) has filed the Safer Internet for Children Act (SB382) in the Senate and Rep. Ken Wilson (R-District 12) has filed the Safer Internet for Children Act (HB885) in the House. This act will mandate that any Internet Provider Service that wants to do business in Missouri must provide a filter that blocks pornography. The subscriber will be able to create a password so any adults in the home will have access to blocked sites but minors in the home will not be able to find it or have porn find them via the internet.
We are looking forward to working with these two members of the Missouri General Assembly on this important issue. The pornification of the culture has so many ramifications – sex trafficking, child on child sex abuse, promiscuity and breakup of marriages. We must curb this horrific plague of pornography starting now!
Pro-life
Hearings on the two Pain Capable bills and the Heartbeat bill were held in the Children and Families Committee on Tuesday morning. The hearing room was packed. The pro-life presence was strong and positive as the sponsors of the bills presented and witnesses testified.
- You can access the Heartbeat bill, HB 126 sponsored by Rep. Nick Schroer (R-District 107) here.
- You can access the Pain Capable Bill, HB 339, sponsored by Rep. Adam Schnelting (R-District 104) here.
- You can access the Pain Capable Bill, HB 680, sponsored by Rep. Mary Elizabeth Coleman (R-District 97) here.
Education
The Student Data Privacy Bill (HB 592) sponsored by Rep. Curtis Trent (R-District 133) was heard in the Special Committee for Career Readiness on Wednesday, February 13. There were some great testimonies by students and parents alike. The members of the committee were engaged with the witnesses. Please pray we have favor with leadership and that this bill will pass through the House quickly and make it over to the Senate quickly. There will be strong opposition from those companies such as Google which profit so very much off their data mining. You can access HB 592 here.
The Narcotics Control Act (Prescription Drug Monitoring Program)
The Narcotics Control Act, HB188, the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) sponsored by Rep. Holly Rehder (R-District 148) was passed by the House on Monday afternoon. It now goes to the Senate. One of our main reasons for opposing this bill is that PDMPs do not curtail the opioid epidemic like the proponents would want you to believe. Also, HB188 has obvious problems such as it does not require the doctor or pharmacist to check the database BEFORE prescribing or filling prescription, the bill covers all the drugs in Schedule II, II and IV which covers many more than opioids-stimulants such as Ritalyn, anti-depressants and sleep aids such as Ambian. We think the public doesn’t realize that many of them will be in such a database as they take a Schedule II, III or IV drug even if they don’t take pain killers. And the department may share data with public and private entities. You can access HB188 here.
Wednesday Breakfast Bible Study
While it’s not easy to be in the Capitol at 6:30 a.m. on Wednesdays with hot breakfast for the Wednesday Breakfast Bible study, we are blessed to do that for the fourteen to eighteen members of the MOGA who come at 7:00 a.m. to break open God’s Word.
Please pray for the members of our Legislative Team – Alissa Johnson, Vicki Leuther and Bev Ehlen. Please pray for them to have the energy to keep up with all that is going on at our State Capitol, for them to have favor with the members of the Missouri General Assembly (MOGA) and the leadership of the MOGA and our Governor. They would especially want you to pray for opportunities to share the Gospel one on one with any individual who is open to hearing it. As we stand for Truth on the issues of the day, sometimes it is perceived that we don’t care that we hurt some individuals. Salt hurts open wounds, and bright light hurts the eyes. We hope to be salt and light but in such a way that those who see and hear us see the love and compassion of Jesus.
Thank you.
Bev Ehlen
State Director
CWA of Missouri
Dear Friend,
The Narcotics Control Act (HB188) sponsored by Rep. Holly Rehder (R-Sikeston) would implement a statewide Prescription Data Base Program (PDMP).
Concerned Women for America (CWA) has as one of its concerns the prevalence of drug and substance abuse in our country. While The Narcotics Control Act sounds good on the surface, CWA of Missouri have two major concerns with HB 188.
- “Doctor shopping” would not be prevented. Supporters of HB 188 say the PDMP is designed to stop the “doctor shopping” that is symptomatic of opioid abuse. However, HB188 does not require physicians to check the database before they prescribe an opioid. HB188 also does not require that a pharmacist check the database before filling a prescription for opioids.
- Data privacy could be at risk. The database created by HB188 would contain the information of patients who get prescriptions not only for opioids but also for stimulants like Ritalyn, sleeping aids such as Ambian, and anti-depressants. HB188 captures any prescription for Schedule II, III or IV drugs. The database would be accessible by anyone in the office to whom the physician gave permission, not just licensed medical professionals. Additionally, the database created by HB188 can be made available to other public and private entities who can use the data for statistical, research, or educational purposes. Would “big pharma” take that data to fine-tune their marketing? This type of excessive data gathering is an invasion of privacy.
Take action now!
Knowing the facts about the database that HB188 would create, and why it would not work any better than it has in the other states, while risking the privacy of Missourians who take Schedule II, III or IV prescriptions, we are asking you to contact your state representative and ask him/her to vote no on Third Read (the final vote during this process) on HB188. Be sure to let them know that you are a member of Concerned Women for America of Missouri.
This vote could come as early as TODAY, Monday, February 11, at 4:00 p.m.
Click here if you don’t know who your state representative is. Enter your address and you will be linked to the information for your state representative, state senator and other elected officials
You’ll want to check the list of votes for the perfection vote on HB188 held in the House on Wednesday, February 6. There were 43 representatives who did vote no on HB188 at that time. If yours was one of them, you will want to thank your state representative for voting no and encourage them to vote no on Third Read.
Please pray HB 188 would be thwarted.
Thank you,
Bev Ehlen
State Director
CWA of Missouri
[email protected]
mo.cwfa.org
Things are really moving at the State Capitol! CWA of Missouri sponsored several events last week – some to inform and some to inform and encourage. On Tuesday, Heidi Olson, a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner who works for a large children’s hospital, joined me at the capitol to make personal visits with members of the Missouri General Assembly (MOGA). She shared about the growing epidemic on child on child sexual assault. Her information is grim, but it requires action. We are gaining much support for the resolution declaring pornography as a public health crisis and the legislation that we are drafting regarding new internet protections for minors. We hosted a sandwich supper that evening where Ms. Olson made her formal presentation to a group of about fifteen office holders and staff.
On Wednesday morning, CWA of Missouri provided hot breakfast for the Wednesday morning Bible Study led by State Rep. Dan Stacy (R-District 031). It was encouraging for CWA of Missouri to see 23 individuals, mostly lawmakers, attending Bible Study at 7:00 a.m.
We continue to meet the new members of the MOGA as we can during the day. Jill Noble, CWA of Missouri’s Greater Kansas City Area Director and Education Coordinator, came to the capitol on Wednesday afternoon. We met with three senators who are on the Senate Education Committee to discuss choice in education.
Wednesday was Human Trafficking Awareness Day at the capitol with many ministries and organizations that work on the trafficking issue having displays in the third-floor rotunda and a rally in the afternoon in which we participated.
That evening was our Liberty in Law Dinner with Bill Federer as the featured speaker. We had three state representatives who are fighting religious freedom issues in their districts speak on their experiences before Mr. Federer took the mic. It was a very well attended event – over 75 in attendance and one third of them being members of the MOGA!
On Thursday morning, Bill Federer spoke to the office holders and members of staff at the capitol, and we provided breakfast for the attendees. CWA of Missouri was encouraged as there were between 10-14 (some had to leave for committee meetings) in attendance.
CWA of Missouri Legislative Liaisons Alissa Johnson and Heather Sparks, Jill Noble, and myself attended the Legislative Collaboration Day training that the Attorney General’s Task Force on Human Trafficking sponsored from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Thursday. There is much to be done to rein in the scourge of human trafficking. Much has already been done, and we are excited about being involved with this diverse group of individuals and organizations who have been on the front lines with the victims of sex trafficking and are putting together meaningful legislation.
CWA of Missouri leaders – Alissa Johnson, Legislative Liaison Vicki Leuther, Jill Noble, Records Correspondent and Prayer/Action Chapter Leader Diana Kaufman and I attended the Educational Policy Conference (EPC) held in St. Louis, Thursday night through Saturday afternoon. This was the 30th year that the Constitutional Coalition has provided this opportunity for activists across the country to gather in St. Louis and hear from the very best speakers/authors/presenters. The big names on the program this year were Eric Metaxas, Bill Federer, Coach Joe Kennedy, Michele Bachman and Tucker Carlson. Our CWA of Missouri team is really excited about implementing the ideas and actions we heard about at the EPC.
Please pray for us. We are a small number of volunteers who find many opportunities for CWA of Missouri to make a difference in at our state capitol and across Missouri. Pray that God will grant us favor, defeat the enemies before we show up and that Missouri can set an example of providing public policy that protects the morals of the young people, makes marriage and therefore the family stronger and will be Christlike as we are doing so.
Interested in getting more involved? Click here to find out how to make a difference in your state! Click here to find out how to make a difference in your community! Click here to donate.
Bev Ehlen
State Director
CWA of Missouri
[email protected]
Dear Friend,
We are excited to continue our Encourage-A-Legislator (EAL) program into 2019!
I often say that our EAL program is the most important program we have. When it is fully implemented, each member of our Missouri General Assembly will be lifted up in prayer each Monday that they are in session and receive an encouraging post card a day or so later! It is not an expression of political or public policy views. It is a program for encouragement and prayer for our state legislators. The goal is to simply uplift the legislator and to remind him or her that they are being prayed for regularly.
This is how it works: You commit to adopting a legislator and praying for him or her each Monday during the legislative session (January – May), and then once a month for the remainder of the year (June through December.) After praying for your adopted office holder, you will mail the CWA of Missouri provided postcard, pre-printed with a meaningful quote and a corresponding Scripture verse. Simply write a few encouraging words on the card or just sign it, add a postcard stamp and mail the card.
As CWA of Missouri’s EAL Coordinator, Ginger Yoak is committed to continuing to oversee this wonderful ministry. She desires to not only encourage our legislators but to also encourage YOU!
Ginger’s message to our volunteers: “I am honored to oversee this program. We have received wonderful feedback from legislators. Many have responded to your prayers and encouraging postcards over the years with words of appreciation. Your efforts encourage and build bridges. We hear back from both conservative legislators as well as those who do not typically agree with CWA. As a part of this effort, I know you too will be energized and blessed!”
Are you interested? Now more than ever our leaders need our prayers and encouragement.
Prayer moves the hand of God in the affairs of this nation! In fact, we are commanded to pray for those in authority. “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving be made for all people – for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good and pleases God our Savior …” (1 Timothy 2:1-2).
We are looking for your commitment today! Please reply by calling Ginger Yoak at (636) 561-3145 or e-mail her at [email protected]. She will explain the program to you and enlist you as an Encourager! You will receive your postcards and instructions just prior to the opening of the 2019 Missouri legislative session in early January.
Also, visit our webpage to find out how you can become involved in CWA of Missouri. You are needed!
Bev Ehlen
State Director
CWA of Missouri
PO Box 1352
St. Peters, MO 63376
[email protected]
mo.cwfa.org
Facebook: Concerned Women for America of Missouri
