North Dakota

Dear Friend,

We are excited to continue our Encourage-A-Legislator (EAL) program into 2019!

Our EAL program is one of CWA of North Dakota’s most valued programs. EAL is a program of encouragement and prayer for our state legislators. It is not an expression of political or public policy views. 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 daily during the 2019 legislative session beginning in January. Each week you will send your assigned legislator a CWA provided postcard pre-printed with a Scripture verse. Simply express appreciation for the legislator’s service and note your prayers for him or her. Finally, add a postcard stamp and mail the card.

As CWA of North Dakota’s EAL Coordinator, Karen Anderson, is committed to continuing to oversee this wonderful ministry. She desires to not only encourage our legislators but to also encourage YOU!

Karen’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 me at 701-331-9792 or email [email protected]. Be sure to specify the number of legislators you would like to adopt, your name, address and email address. You will receive your postcards and instructions just prior to the opening of the 2019 North Dakota legislative session early in January.   

Linda Thorson
State Director
CWA of North Dakota
PO Box 213
Park River, ND 58227
[email protected]
nd.cwfa.org
Facebook:  North Dakota Concerned Women for America

Dear friend,

As you know, we are at a breaking point in history where the rule of law and civil discourse are being threatened by some politicians and radical activists who insist on getting their way, no matter what. Some are actually inciting that violence to be directed at those with whom they disagree.

It is up to you and me to stand up to this mob mentality by praying against these malicious tactics and voting this November.  Will it be mob rule or the rule of law?!

There are three simple steps that can have a significant impact on our state and nation’s future. Please join us in carrying them out. 

#1 Pray
As a Christian organization, we are first and foremost committed to prayer. As November 6th approaches, will you join us in praying for our state and nation? Please join us by setting a time daily to pray for this next election. Will you do that? Set an alarm on your phone, your computer, put a sticky note on your mirror, whatever works.

# 2 Encourage
As a Christian organization, we are committed to educating and encouraging others to vote. Will you join us in this? Encourage friends and family through Facebook, Twitter, email, etc.

#3 Vote
It is our duty, as citizens and as Christians, to participate in the process by both praying and voting. The institution of government was ordained by God as seen in Romans 13:1-4.

Take a look at the candidates:

Voted NO on Justice Kavanaugh: Sen. Heidi Heitkamp (D-North Dakota), “After doing my due diligence and now that the record is apparently closed, I will vote against his confirmation.”

Supported Justice Kavanaugh: Rep. Kevin Cramer (R-North Dakota), “The Supreme Court now has an eminently qualified and constitutionally-minded addition to its bench. North Dakota and our country as a whole will benefit greatly from this confirmation.”

Did you know . . . in North Dakota, any resident may apply for absentee ballot and vote by mail if they cannot get to the polls on Election Day?  Early voting is also available, but start and end times vary by county. For more information go to vip.sos.nd.gov/PortalList.aspx.

Voter Guides:

• iVoterGuide.org
• votesmart.org

Two push cards to freely print and distribute:

• https://concernedwomen.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/NDearlyGOTVCard.pdf
• https://concernedwomen.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Push-Card-ND.pdf (This one is great for distributing in churches!)

Party Platform Comparison (print double-sided 14” X 8 ½”)

Together we will impact our state and nation’s future – Pray, Encourage, and Vote!

Linda Thorson
State Director
CWA of North Dakota
[email protected]
nd.cwfa.org

Penny Nance, CEO and President of Concerned Women for America (CWA) will be on the Point of View with Chris Berg on KVLY, KX 4, Fargo. Tune in tonight at 6:30, October 18, livestream.  

“Last night, I called on Women’s Organizations to step up and speak out for the women that have been re-victimized because of Senator Heitkamp’s pursuit of political power. Fortunately, Concerned Women for America is speaking up for the women that are being re-victimized during this traumatic time. The CEO of Concerned Women for America – Penny Nance will join us tonight on Point of View.” – Chris Berg

Politicizing sexual assault exploits women that have already been exploited! As the state director of the largest public policy women’s organization in our state, I am horrified to watch sexual abuse used as a political weapon. Women should not be used as pawns in the hands of those craving political control. 

Linda Thorson
State Director
CWA of North Dakota
[email protected]
nd.cwfa.org
 

Concerned Women for America of North Dakota is opposed to Measure 1

Vote “NO” on Measure 1.  Don’t be fooled by the poorly written “anti-corruption” measure.    This measure inserts sweeping new language into the state constitution and creates an ethics commission that could investigate claims made against lobbyists, public officials, candidates, and even churches and charities.  Doesn’t sound that bad?  Read on.

There are good reasons Concerned Women for America is opposed to Measure 1:

• Measure 1 would force all churches and charities to disclose every donor if the organization used $200 or more for influencing “government action”. Section 1 of the measure directs the legislature to institute laws requiring the “disclosure of the ultimate and true source of funds spent in any medium, in an amount greater than two hundred dollars, adjusted for inflation, to influence any statewide election, election for the legislative assembly, statewide ballot-issue election, or to lobby or otherwise influence state government action.”

In other words, Measure 1 requires churches and charities to disclose publically the names of the contributors, regardless of the size of the contribution, for merely engaging in the public square (this includes inside or outside of the church building).  In fact, if a pastor talks about the importance of life, he would be attempting to influence government action, and therefore, the names of contributors could then be made public.  Imagine all of the Scripture passages that could never be taught.  Further, engaging or “influencing government action” prevents those in church leadership from mentioning the effects of a proposed measure on a broad range of issues such as the sanctity of life, private school and home school education, or sanctity of marriage without the result of public disclosure of the name of everyone that has made a contribution to the church!

• If passed, this constitutional mandate will effectively discourage participation in advocacy groups, like Concerned Women for America. For example, if Measure One is passed into law, our volunteer CWA leaders traveling hours to Bismarck will be required to report the spending of their own money for fuel, meals and lodging if the costs are $200 or higher! Volunteers will be required to report their expenses, even if there is no reimbursement of their costs by Concerned Women for America.  This poorly written measure has no exception to the reporting requirement so that any individual spending their own money to travel in order to express their views about a piece of public policy or a campaign to a political official or candidate must report their travel expenses.

• This is poorly written and potentially violates individual rights to free speech. On September 25, North Dakotans for Sound Government (NDSG) and the American Civil Liberties Union of North Dakota held a press conference to present reasons voters should oppose Measure 1.  At the news conference in Fargo, Geoff Simon, the chairman of NDSG and executive director of the Western Dakota Energy Association, agreed with the ACLU that the measure is poorly written and very likely unconstitutional.

“We already have an open, honest and transparent process,” he said. “I’ve characterized it as a solution in search of a problem.  To me, it’s one of those feel-good things where they think they’re doing something, but it will create all kinds of havoc if it should pass.”

Heather Smith of the North Dakota ACLU said the measure isn’t just about lobbyists and lawmakers. “As citizens, we have an obligation to become informed about public issues, to express our own opinions and interests. Measure 1 has the potential to limit this,” Smith said.  “Our First Amendment rights are too important to let this constitutional mandate pass.”

Campaign finance records show those behind this North Dakota Measure are largely out-of-state groups, Represent.Us, a Massachusetts-based group, Voters Right to Know in California and End Citizens United from Washington, D.C.

A Call to Action:

• Vote “No“ on Measure 1.
• Pass along this important message to your friends and family tell them to mark their calendar to vote on November 6, 2018.

A Call to Prayer: 

• Pray for all voters throughout our state. May God give all the wisdom needed to vote in the way that honors Him.
• “The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways, but the folly of fools is deception.“ Proverbs 14:8

Read for yourself the specifics of Measure 1:

• Read Official Ballot Language for Measurers Appearing on the Election Ballot November 6, 2018
• ndmeasure1.com
• North Dakota Catholic Conference website
• North Dakota Secretary of State website

Linda Thorson
State Director
CWA of North Dakota
[email protected]
nd.cwfa.org
Concerned Women for America of North Dakota, Facebook Page

The message from conservative women to Sen. Heidi Heitkamp (D-North Dakota) is clear, Support Judge Brett Kavanaugh; he is worthy to be confirmed as the next justice to the U.S. Supreme Court. Judge Kavanaugh has been vetted by the FBI six times during 25 years of public service! Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-California) has kept a confidential letter to herself since July. The timing is no coincidence. This is a shameful political move to postpone the confirmation of Kavanaugh.

Enough. We must ask Sen. Heitkamp, with whom do you stand? Will you speak up against this last-minute ambush to derail a respectable nominee without evidence and against an avalanche of examples of his good character?  If not, what does this say about your opinion of our American way, innocent until proven guilty?

Note my recent letter to the editor posted today in the The Bismarck Tribune, Time to vote on Kavanaugh.

Note Penny’s appearance last night on Fox’s Tucker Carlson Tonight. 

Please join me in prayer: 

1. “If my people, who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”  2 Chronicles 7:14

2. Pray for Judge Brett Kavanaugh, his family, and for our Senators.  Pray for the Women for Kavanaugh Rally taking place on Thursday, September 27, behind the Russell Building in Washington, D.C., at 8:30 a.m.

3. Pray and fast tomorrow before and during the hearing. View Penny’s encouragement to us to do so.

Please take action: 

1. Call Sen. Heitkamp and ask her to support Judge Brett Kavanaugh. Call her at 202- 224-2043 and then email her.  Ask her to vote to confirm Judge Brett Kavanaugh.  Take time to do this now, even if you’ve done it in the past on this issue, she needs to know that as women we still support Kavanaugh.  You can be sure she is getting hammered from the other side. Be sure to let her know that you are a member of Concerned Women for America of North Dakota.
2. Call Sen. Hoeven (R-North Dakota), thank him for his support for Judge Brett Kavanaugh. Call him at 202-224-2551 and then email him.  You can be sure he is getting hammered from the other side. Be sure to let him know that you are a member of Concerned Women for America of North Dakota.
3. Forward this email to friends and family. Ask them to both pray and act.

“Silence in the face of evil is itself evil: God will not hold us guiltless. Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act.”  – Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Linda Thorson
State Director
CWA of North Dakota
[email protected]
nd.cwfa.org

State Directors letter to the editor published in The Bismarck Tribune.

“Prayer is an effort of will.”  ~ Oswald Chambers

What sets CWA apart from other organizations?

Our emphasis on prayer and action at the grassroots.

Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord … and who labors fervently in prayer. The greatest force for change on behalf of our families and country is indeed prayer and the responsibilities that come with our citizenship in a free country. All the resources of God Almighty are at our disposal, and He rules in all the affairs of men, and nothing is too hard for Him.

Stop Now, Pray and Act

Pray: Pray for our U.S. Senators, John Hoeven, and Heidi Heitkamp. Pray that the schemes of those attempting to discredit Kavanaugh would be thwarted. Pray for the Senate as a whole, may Judge Brett Kavanaugh be confirmed.

“The quiet words of the wise are more to be heeded than the shouts of a ruler of fools. Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner destroys much good. As dead flies give perfume a bad smell, so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor. The heart of the wise inclines to the right but the heart of the fool to the left. Even as he walks along the road, the fools lack sense” (Ecclesiastes 9:17- 10:3a).

The Bible tells us, “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds” (2 Corinthians 10:4).

The armor of our warfare hangs on prayer and is activated by prayer.  “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.  With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints” (Ephesians 6:18). 

Act: Even if you’ve already contacted Sen. Heidi Heitkamp (D-North Dakota) and Sen. John Hoeven (R-North Dakota) be sure to both call and email their offices again today.  Be sure to let them know that you are a member of Concerned Women for America of North Dakota.

• Sen Heitkamp: call her office at (202) 224-2043 and then email her. Ask her to vote to confirm Judge Kavanaugh to the U.S. Supreme Court.
• Sen. Hoeven: Call his office at (202) 224-2551 and then email him.  Thank him for his commitment to confirm Judge Kavanaugh.

“Our prayer and God’s mercy are like two buckets in a well; while one ascends, the other descends.” ~ Arthur Hopkins 

Linda Thorson
State Director
CWA of North Dakota
[email protected]
nd.cwfa.org

Facebook: Concerned Women for America, North Dakota
(701) 993-8517

September 6: What’s on Your Mind (at the 35 min. mark) 
September 9: The Schmidt Show

A special thanks to Sen. Myrdal for going to Washington, D.C. to join our Women for Kavanaugh efforts as a state senator and former state director of CWA of North Dakota.