Madison to hold 40 Days for Life Spring vigil at the Madison Surgery Center
Vigil for Life announced Wednesday that it will hold its first ever 40 Days for Life Spring vigil at the Madison Surgery Center (1 S. Park Street) from February 17 to March 28.
Unlike previous 40 Days campaigns at Planned Parenthood, this vigil will not go overnight. It will begin each morning at 6 a.m. and run until 6 p.m. Signs will be allowed, but are not mandatory for participation.
"The Lord has staved off this abomination for a year now," said VFL's Laura Karlen. "It is our prayer and our hope that 40 Days of continuous prayer in front of the Madison Surgery Center can put a permanent end to these grisly plans."
Nearly 1,000 hour-long prayer shifts will need to be filled. To schedule prayer slots, click here or visit vigilforlife.org. If you encounter technical difficulties, you can contact Steve Karlen at 608-445-2063 to register for hours. A printable flier is available here.
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40 Days for Life at 1 S. Park Street: Rules of the Road
Vigil Purpose: To pray, fast, and peacefully witness to end late-term abortion plans at the Madison Surgery Center and make others aware of these plans.
Vigil Location: Madison Surgery Center (MSC) - 1 S. Park Street Madison, WI 53715 (Map)
Vigil Hours: 6:00 a.m. - Vigil Open (6:00 a.m. hour participants will "open" the vigil)****
6:00 p.m. - Vigil Close (5:00 p.m. hour participants will "close" the vigil)****
****Those who will "open" or "close" the vigil should read the "Vigil Open/Close Instructions" in the binder in the Official Vigil Bag****
YOU MUST BE PUNCTUAL FOR YOUR VIGIL HOUR, ALLOWING FOR PARKING TIME, FOR THIS VIGIL TO WORK!
Parking: There is free 2-hour parking available at Braxton Place off Park Street (northbound: Braxton Place will be the right-hand turn right on Park Street before the Madison Surgery Center; southbound: Braxton Place will be the first left-hand turn from Park Street after the Madison Surgery Center). If this parking is filled, free parking is available at St. James Catholic Church (1204 St. James Court: by foot/car, from Regent, turn left onto Brooks St. and right onto St. James Court).
Meeting Place: Participants should gather at the corner of Park St. and Braxton Pl. The prayer warriors can then move to another place along Park Street or Regent Street in front of the MSC during their shift if they desire, but should meet at Park and Braxton to hand off the Official Vigil Bag and signs. Stay on the sidewalk and do not block entrances or pedestrian traffic.
Official Vigil Bag: This bag contains a binder with sign-in forms, copies of the statement of peace and contact information, literature to hand-out (optional), tissues and few other items. One person per vigil hour should carry the Official Vigil Bag. Please do not add items to the Official Vigil Bag that ill make it heavy.
Signing In: Please sign in for your vigil hour by initialing next to your name on the vigil schedule print-outs stored in the binder in the Official Vigil Bag.
Statement of Peace: All participants must sign a Statement of Peace for the Spring 2010 vigil. Copies will be available in the Official Vigil Bag or online at vigilforlife.org.
Weather: This vigil is taking place during winter conditions. Dress more warmly than you expect is necessary. Feel free to warm up in your car. We are also welcome to warm up or use the restrooms at Faith Community Bible Church across Regent from the MSC. If severe weather makes driving to your vigil hour impossible, please contact vigil coordinator Steve Karlen at (608) 445-2063.
Contact Information: You should call (not e-mail) Steve Karlen at (608) 445-2063 immediately for the following reasons:
1. You will not be on-time. It is important that you are punctual. If you will not be, please call.
2. You cannot make your vigil hour for any reason.
3. You feel uncomfortable for any reason. There is also an Incident Log in the Official Vigil Bag to record any incidents.
Police Information: You have a right to hold vigil outside of the MSC. If you feel like others are preventing you from doing so or are threatening, contact vigil coordinator Steve Karlen right away at (608) 445-2063. You may also call our police contact, Sgt. Schmitz. Sgt. Schmitz's cell phone number is (608) 209-8722. The non-emergency dispatcher number is (608) 266-4275. As always, obey all law enforcement personnel. The MSC security person might make odd requests which are not legally binding. If you are confused about your rights and obligations, do not hesitate to call Steve Karlen or the MPD to clarify.
Signs: There are two (2) official 40 Days for Life/Vigil for Life signs available for your use that may be worn or carried. If you choose not to wear/carry these signs, please keep them nearby during your shift. You may not leave them unattended. The purpose of these signs is to identify the vigil and to witness as to why we are present.
Literature: If you so choose, there is literature in the Official Vigil Bag that is suitable to give out to pedestrians or Madison Surgery Center employees as they come in and leave from the building. As always, be courteous and do not bock entrances, exits, the road, or the sidewalk.
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