“We are called to care for our neighbor with the love and compassion of Jesus Christ by reaching and offering the steadying hand, the safe haven and the gift of Love.” A Child is born in a stable in Bethlehem and Amazing Grace quietly enters our world.
A sandaled carpenter travels the dusty land with the message of a new covenant — of a Father who loves us perfectly in our imperfection. His story tells of two special and essential requirements. The first, is that we love the Source of all Love and Life: and, the second, that we extend to our neighbor this same Love and Life.
Our response to His invitation to care for others is an exciting, yet tender, story of a network – our Nurturing Network. Joyfully and energetically, 10,000 dedicated members across this nation have chosen to live their faith by giving practical support to women experiencing the crisis of an unplanned pregnancy. What we give is a gift of hope…a gift of courage…a gift that tells mothers in need that they may, indeed, follow the whisperings of their heart.
In the seven years since founding this alliance of caring friends, I have rejoiced as the “Word has been made flesh” for over 3,000 of our mothers and their babies. Headquartered in Boise, Idaho, our ministry invites caring individuals to open their hearts and homes — to provide shelter, employment, confidential college transfer, quality medical services, and compassionate counseling. These gifts, with no payment expected, are offered so that every woman may nurture the God-given life of her unborn child — so that she may give her child a future without compromising her own.
How many of last year’s 1.5 million reported abortions were really the result of an exercise of “free choice”? We know through hundreds of hours of direct counseling that many — in fact, most — of these abortions were actually the result of a desperate and unsuccessful search for a meaningful alternative to abortion.
A woman faced with an unplanned pregnancy has needs that are immediate and vital. We have found that she does not need preaching, harsh judgment, or rhetoric. She needs resources and support that are practical. The Nurturing Net-work’s goal is to address every facet of a pregnant woman’s needs, from initial pregnancy testing to delivery of her baby, including information on parenting and adoption. Our Network members, all across the country, are ready to provide hands-on service to our clients on a moment’s notice.
A typical client first learns of The Nurturing Network through a friend of the media and places a toll-free call to our life-line: 1-800-TNN-4MOM. She is given a chance to speak immediately with one of our professionally-trained counselors at our headquarters in Boise, Idaho; we offer guidance and practical assistance leavened with genuine compassion. A detailed evaluation of each client’s specific needs is made and then a comprehensive, individually-tailored plan of assistance is offered.
The Nurturing Network is a non-profit organization funded entirely through private donations from corporations, foundations, churches, and individuals. The thousands of members of The Nurturing Network believe that as extensive as our Network is, more must be done. You may be wondering, very specifically, what type of practical assistance you can offer — how you can help.
Our ministry invites caring individuals like you to open their hearts and homes — to consider ways in which you may be personally called to help. You may feel moved to spread the good news of our life-saving mission so that others will join our Employer, Medical, Counseling, Nurturing Home and Educational Network. You may find that your gift is one of prayer and affirmation for our ministry as you work with the laity and clergy in your faith community.
Finally, you may appreciate the economic reality that we cannot exist on love and prayers alone; you may be able to fund this vital effort through your own donation or by encouraging someone else to contribute to our work. A donation of any size literally helps us to save lives. Our average cost per client last year was $250; and yet, through the generosity of our Members, we are still able to provide services to all of our clients without charge. We are officially recognized as a 501©(3) organization and all donations are tax deductible.
As you consider our Network’s challenge, we ask only this: that you put aside any polarizing rhetoric and discover a vast common ground that can nurture the seeds of mutual understanding. Those who support “choice” can hardly dispute the value of creating another choice; those who support life can hardly reject an alternative made real. We have an opportunity to become peacemakers, to form a common bond when compassionate individuals can offer practical help to mothers who feel alone and afraid.
In our opportunity to build bridges of care across canyons of loneliness, the message of God’s Love is a beautiful symphony played again and again. I continue to be moved — as I know you are — by the graciousness of a Loving Father who not only asks us to dream, but gives us the courage and passion to move forward. Our Network has never been in a stronger position to convert stones of judgment and indifference into the bread of compassion. With each new member, our services have become more comprehensive, our alternative has become more compelling, and “choice” has taken on new meaning.
That God holds our dream in His arms is something of which I feel more sure with each passing day. My personal prayer asks of a Loving Father, a portion of His spirit — that our hearts will be filled with a gratitude so complete that it demands expression in ensuring that His “choice” is available for every woman today.
Mary Cunningham Agee is the Founder and President of the Nurturing Network, an international, charitable organization that has activated over 32,000 volunteer member resources to provide for the urgent and comprehensive practical needs of more than 15,000 women faced with the crisis of an unplanned pregnancy.
This article originally appeared in Lay Witness, a publication of Catholics United for the Faith, Inc., and is used by permission. Join Catholics United for the Faith and enjoy the many benefits of membership.
