Let us prepare ourselves in prayer for the start of 40 Days for Life (in 3 days!), asking for the Holy Spirit to inspire and strengthen us!
Let us pray,
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your faithful and enkindle in them the fire of Your love. Send forth Your Spirit and they shall be created. And You shall renew the face of the earth.
Heal our wounds–our strength renews; On our dryness pour Thy dew, Wash the stains of guilt away.
Come, O Spirit of Counsel, help and guide me in all my ways, that I may always do Thy holy will. Incline my heart to that which is good; turn it away from all that is evil, and direct me by the straight path of Thy commandments to that goal of eternal life for which I long.
Below are the Rules of the Road for 40 Days for Life. There will be a copy of this document in the 40 Days for Life vigil bag on the site at Planned Parenthood. You can also go to www.vigilforlife.org and print out a copy if you wish. Please read this as well as the Field Guide also on the website; both documents will answer many commonly asked questions.
40 Days for Life Fall 2013 Rules of the Road
Vigil Purpose: To pray, fast and peacefully witness to end abortion at Planned Parenthood on Madison’s east side.
Vigil Location: The sidewalks in front of Planned Parenthood (3706 Orin Road, Madison, WI 53704).
Vigll Hours: 24/7 from 8:00 AM Wednesday, September 25, 2013 through 6:00 PM Sunday, November 3, 2013.
Parking: Please note that – especially during daytime hours- parking may be rather limited. Typically people park along either Orin road or the frontage road in the free 2-hour parking zone. To ensure smooth vigil shift transitions, it is often helpful for persons to arrive 5-10 minutes before their scheduled time shift begins. (PLEASE DO NOT PARK IN THE WOMEN’S CARE CENTER PARKING LOT as noted below on page 2.)
Meeting Place: Participants should gather on the sidewalk near the driveway to Planned Parenthood to meet up with the coming and going prayer warriors. This is a mobile vigil, so moving around and walking while praying is acceptable. You must hand off the Official Vigil Bag and vigil signs by the Planned Parenthood driveway. Stay on the sidewalk or terrace (parkway, easement) and do not block the sidewalk.
DO NOT STEP ONTO PLANNED PARENTHOOD’S PRIVATE PROPERTY!
Statements of Peace: Based on advice from the National 40 days for Life Campaign, all participants are required to sign a hardcopy of the new Statement of Peace, even if you have signed one previously. This is because the content has changed slightly and because, starting Fall 2012, we began collecting and filing these signed hard copies. (The new Statement of Peace will remain “on file” for you for all future Vigil for Life activities in a permanent Madison Vigil for Life file, until you decide to revoke it.) There will be blank sign-able copies of the Statement of Peace in the Vigil Bag. For those with computer access, a PDF copy can be downloaded from vigilforlife.org. This can be printed, signed, and either placed in the vigil bag folder or sent to the address listed on the bottom. (Please Note: You cannot sign this form electronically or submit a scanned signed copy)
Official Vigil Bag: Contains several items and, in case of rain, can be zipped shut –
1) The Vigil Binder – This 3-ring binder contains the daily sign-in pages and several important documents (Field Guide, contact information, phone directory, maps, …) that should answer most people’s questions. Feel free to check it out.
2) Statement of Peace File – This contains both blank copies to sign as well as a folder in which to place newly signed copies.
3) Handouts – There are a limited amount of approved brochures to give out. These are located in the plastic protective “Handouts” file. Both prayer warriors and sidewalk counselors are free to hand these out if they feel comfortable doing so.
4) An Incident Log – While we do not anticipate any problems, a small notebook is available in case anyone feels it necessary to document any events of concern.
5) Misc Supplies – A small number of lightweight supplies can also be found in the vigil bag or vigil binder (extra pens, tissue, flashlights, umbrella, …).
One person per vigil hour should carry the Vigil Bag. Do not set the bag down unattended. Also, please do not add items to the Official Vigil Bag.
Vigil Signs: There are 2 official signs. PLEASE DO NOT BRING OTHER SIGNS. The first sign says “Pray to End Abortion” and identifies us as prayer warriors with the 40 Days for Life campaign. The second sign advertises “The Option Line” which is a national hotline that offers counseling and resources to abortion-minded men and women. This second sign offers help to the men and women who go into Planned Parenthood without us even needing to open our mouths. These official signs may be worn or carried. If you choose not to wear/carry these signs, please put them in your car during your shift and bring them back out for the incoming prayer warriors. To comply with police instructions, we must not set them down unattended on the ground, lean them against a tree, etc.
Signing-In: Scheduled persons should sign their name (not initials) next to their printed name on the daily sign-in sheet. Visitors are also encouraged to sign in on the daily schedule somewhere within the associated time-slot area in which they are present.
Women’s Care Center: PLEASE DO NOT ACCESS THE WCC & DO NOT PARK IN THE WCC PARKING LOT – even though it is located across from Planned Parenthood.
Here’s why: Although the WCC supports the efforts of Vigil for Life, their role and mission are separate and distinct. The primary role of the WCC is to establish a confidential trusting relationship with women in crisis. Out of respect, we MUST keep our distance.
If, at a separate time, you would like to learn more about the good work that the WCC is doing, please call them at (608) 241-8100. PLEASE DO NOT DROP IN UNANNOUNCED.
Restrooms: If you need to use the restroom, there is a PDQ on the corner of Stoughton Road & Anderson St. and a McDonalds on the corner of Stoughton Road & Kinsman Blvd.
Weather: The vigil site weather can range from pleasant to very hot or cold, and is often marked by strong winds and rain, so dress appropriately. Some keep extra clothing in their trunk “just in case.” If you must take cover from the weather, please pray from your car.
Police Information: We do not expect problems. You have a right to hold vigil outside of Planned Parenthood. If you feel like others are preventing you from doing so, or you feel threatened, proceed to your vehicle or other safe area, then take the appropriate next steps…
For emergencies – call 911.
For non-emergency – police number is (608)-245-3652.
Our police contacts during daytime hours are: Lieutenant Carl Strasburg
Captain Cameron McLay
After 8 PM you can call dispatch at (608)-266-4275
If you ever do make police contact, inform 40 Days for Life Director Bette Weisshaar at (608)-358-5963. Remember that there is also an Incident Log in the Official Vigil Bag to record any incidents of concern. As always, obey all law enforcement personnel.
Contact Information: You should call (not email), Bette Weisshaar at (608)-358- 5963 immediately for the following reasons:
1. You will be significantly late for your scheduled vigil shift
2. You cannot make your vigil hour and are unable to arrange for a substitute.
3. If you can’t reach Bette, call Mary Markielewski at (608) 516-1335.
Major DOs and DON’Ts
DO:
• Pray and fast to end abortion
• Try to arrive 5-10 minutes early to your shift to allow for parking
• Sign in on daily schedule sign-in sheet
• Sign a Statement of Peace
• Have someone carry the Vigil Bag during your shift
• Have someone wear/carry the Vigil Signs during your shift
• Dress appropriately for the weather
• Call Bette Weisshaar if significantly late or unable to show for shift.
DON’T:
Trespass on Planned Parenthood property or park in their lot
Access the Women’s Care Center or park in their lot
Set Vigil Bag or Vigil Signs down unattended
Violate the terms outlined in the Statement of Peace
