Many of you will be familiar with ARCH - the Abortion Recovery Care Helpline - and the important work it does in supporting women (and men) who have been traumatised by an abortion experience (for more information see https://www.archtrust.org.uk/).
ARCH offers telephone counselling across the UK and is now seeking to set up a monthly post abortion support group here in Nottingham. There are plenty of willing pro-lifers who can help run the group, but to lead it we need to find a suitably qualified counsellor. This will be a paid role. We anticipate that the group will run once a month for up to 10 months of the year, at a local venue.
If you know of someone who might be interested and has a professional qualification in counselling, please ask them to contact Clare Bremner, who runs ARCH, on clare@archtrust.org.uk. I can also answer general questions about the role (07757815625).
Here are some important dates for your pro-life diaries.
SATURDAY 5TH AUGUST: PRO-LIFE PILGRIMAGE TO WALSINGHAM
The annual pilgrimage in reparation for abortion will take place this year in August and will be led by Emeritus Archbishop Kevin MacDonald. Details of the day can be found at https://prolifepilgrimage.org/. As in previous years there will be coach travelling to Walsingham from Nottingham. The cost of seats on the coach has not yet been decided, but if you wish to reserve a seat (or seats), please email Marie on marielangford@live.co.uk.
SATURDAY 2ND SEPTEMBER: UK MARCH FOR LIFE 2023, LONDON
There will also be a coach running from Nottingham to this year's march for life in Westminster. It is high time for us to expose the hypocrisy, lies and cruelty of the injustice that is abortion. Each year since it started, the march for life has been growing in numbers - although you would never know that from media coverage. Last year, there were over 7,000 people who took part. If you have never been, please consider joining us this year. This is our chance, as pro-lifers, to stand up - literally - for the unborn and speak on their behalf, in front of those who make the laws of our country. Let's make our voices heard, and the 2023 march the biggest ever.
For more information, go to https://www.marchforlife.co.uk/. As with the pilgrimage to Walsingham, the exact price of tickets for the Nottingham coach has not yet been agreed; but you can reserve seats by emailing Marie on marielangford@live.co.uk.
22ND-24TH SEPTEMBER: SPUC NATIONAL CONFERENCE, MILTON KEYNES
The Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC) is the oldest pro-life campaigning and educational organisation in the world. SPUC seeks to make abortion unthinkable in our society. In September, SPUC will be holding a national conference for the first time since before the pandemic. This is a fantastic opportunity to meet fellow pro-lifers, and to become more informed on the debate around the sanctity of life. The keynote speaker at this year's conference will be Rev. Calvin Robinson, who grew up and was educated in Mansfield. Non-members are welcome to attend the conference. More details (cost, full lineup of speakers, venue) to follow. In the meantime, there are local branches of SPUC which meet regularly in Melton, Lincoln, Kettering, Oakham and Nottingham, and new members are welcome. If you are interested, let me know and I can put you in touch with the right person.
FINALLY... our first pro-life retreat takes place on Saturday (10th June) from 10am until 3pm, at St Paul's, Lenton. Thanks to all who have signed up. If you haven't yet, but want to be involved, we might be able to find you a place - but time is running out! Let me know asap.
Thank you for defending the unborn!
John Edwards
Pro-life coordinator
T: 07757 815 625
E: pro-life@dioceseofnottingham.uk
Nottingham Roman Catholic Diocese
Company Number: 7151646 / Charity Number: 1134449
Postal Address: 1 Castle Quay, Nottingham, NG7 1FW United Kingdom