Contact: Chelsen Vicari, Institute on Religion & Democracy, 540-239-2170, cvicari@TheIRD.org
WASHINGTON, Dec. 19, 2018 /Christian Newswire/ -- United Methodists are invited to gather for a special worship service in celebration of the sanctity of human life on the morning of the annual March for Life.
Event Details:
Who: Taskforce of United Methodists on Abortion & Sexuality
What: Worship service celebrating the sanctity of human life
Where: United Methodist Building, 100 Maryland Ave., Washington, D.C.
When: January 18, 2019, 9:30 a.m. (EST)
IRD will join the Taskforce of United Methodists on Abortion & Sexuality, also known as Lifewatch, for the annual service of worship at 9:30 a.m., Friday, January 18, in the chapel of the United Methodist Building located at 100 Maryland Avenue in Washington, D.C. next to the United States Supreme Court.
Bishop Timothy W. Whitaker, Former Episcopal Leader of the Florida Area of the United Methodist Church and a leading Methodist voice on orthodoxy and life, will lead the service. In 2005, Bishop Whitaker made United Methodist history as the first U.S. bishop in modern times to give a major pro-life address.
Since then, the United Methodist Church, the second largest Protestant denomination in the United States, has made major strides in moving in a more pro-life direction. At the denomination's 2016 General Conference, delegates repealed 40-year-old language affirming the Roe v. Wade court decision that struck down state laws restricting abortion. General Conference delegates also voted to require church boards and agencies to withdraw immediately from an organization that advocates for abortion on demand.
IRD President Mark Tooley commented:
"United Methodism like much of America is trending in a pro-life direction. Lifewatch has for decades been a courageous pro-life witness in the church during often challenging times but its perseverance is being vindicated. Bishop Whitaker's early stance for life within United Methodism was a harbinger for which we are grateful."
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