The IRCRC offers experienced and knowledgeable presenters on a variety of issues relating to faith and reproductive health. Presentations can be part of a worship service, adult discussion group, forum, workshop, or community outreach program. Inside you will find a list of some of the possibilities. If you have other ideas, please let us know. We are very flexible and are willing to adapt a presentation to meet your needs. |
Download and print a brochure to share with your congregation or organization! Encourage your group's leaders to schedule a speaker, study group, or film discussion. |
 Presentations and sermons—appropriate for worship services or adult discussion/study groups
“The Good News about Religion and Reproductive Rights.” A 20-25 minute talk that explores the dramatic and dangerous erosion of reproductive rights in recent years. The “good news” is that many faith traditions support reproductive rights and many people of faith are now standing up and saying “the religious right does not speak for me.” This talk has been given as a sermon in several worship services.
“The Anti-Choice Movement Wants to Stop Abortions, Right? Don’t Be So Sure.” A 25-minute talk that explores the emerging anti-contraception agenda within the anti-choice movement, despite the fact that most faith groups strongly support family planning.
“How Can People of Faith Best Help Women with Crisis Pregnancies?” This 20-minute presentation explores the principles of RCRC’s All Options Clergy Counseling, a faith-based counseling approach that offers supportive, honest, and unbiased counseling. In contrast, the growing number of “crisis pregnancy centers” (cpcs) use deceitful and disrespectful tactics in order to prevent women from obtaining abortions. An optional 15-minute film about cpcs called “Misguidance” is also available.
“The Truth Shall Make Us Free: Faith-Based Comprehensive Sexuality Education.” A growing number of faith communities are providing comprehensive sex ed programs for the youth of their congregation. Learn about the problems with “abstinence-only” programs, why a comprehensive approach is the most effective, and why there’s no better place to do it than in a faith community. This presentation will explore some of the challenges and benefits of doing sex ed in faith communities, and will include recommended resources. This interactive presentation will last about an hour, and can be expanded to a longer workshop format.
“Pro-Faith, Pro-Family, Pro-Choice: What’s the IRCRC all About?” This 15-minute presentation provides a brief history of the IRCRC, its mission, activities, and goals for the future.
“All in the Same Boat: what do gay rights and reproductive rights have to do with each other?” We will examine the commonalities between the two movements, discover shared values, and explore the emerging concept of “sexual justice.” This 20-minute talk is appropriate for both faith and secular groups.
“Jewish Views about Abortion.” The issue of abortion in Jewish life is complex and multi-faceted. Jewish law addresses the legal status of an embryo/fetus, the time of ensoulment, and conditions under which abortion may take place. An understanding of Jewish belief helps us to appreciate the concept of religious freedom as it relates to the rights of individuals to make decisions about their reproductive health. This 20-minute talk is appropriate for Jewish and other religious groups, as well as secular groups.
“Faith in Action for Healthy Families.” Learn about our “Healthy Families” advocacy initiative in support of federal and state prevention legislation. You will receive an action kit with information to help your congregation get involved in this important effort. A 20 minute presentation or a longer workshop.
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 Workshops and multi-session studies
"Faith & Choices.” A 4-session program (1-2 hr each) that provides an opportunity to open up dialogue about morality, faith, and reproductive choice. Participants will also explore their own particular faith group’s stance on reproductive health issues. Available for: Conservative Judaism, Episcopal, Presbyterian, Reform Judaism,United Church of Christ, United Methodist, and Unitarian Universalist. Can be adapted to other faith groups.
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 Film Discussions
“Sacred Choices and Abortion: 10 New Things to Think About.” This 57-minute documentary is based on the work of scholar and former Catholic priest Daniel Maguire. In a thought-provoking exploration of scripture and religious heritage and doctrine, the film shows that, contrary to common belief, major religious groups are NOT anti-choice. Scholars from the Christian, Jewish, and Muslim traditions, as well as people whose lives have been forever changed by abortion are featured in ten insightful segments. We will show the film and lead a discussion afterwards. Perfect for an adult or youth study group. Suggested length of session: 1½-2 hours. (You may want to consider extending the session into a multi-week study using the film’s companion book, Sacred Choices: The Right to Contraception and Abortion in Ten World Religions.)
“The Education of Shelby Knox.” This 76-minute film is the true story of one girl’s mission to bring sex education to schools in her ultra-conservative town of Lubbock Texas. Faced with a town filled with religious fervor, sexual ferment, abstinence-only crusaders and teenage pregnancy while dealing with her own conflicting emotions, Shelby’s story reflects much of what’s going on across the nation. Appropriate for both adult and youth audiences.
“The Faithful Struggle for Reproductive Justice.” This 15-minute film includes clips from Dorothy Fadiman’s documentary, From Danger to Dignity, telling the story of the Clergy Consultation Service on Abortion, a nationwide network of clergy who helped women access safe abortion in the years before Roe v Wade. Discussion guide provided.
“Abstinence comes to Albuquerque.” This compelling 30-minute documentary is a case study of abstinence education coming into one public school system and the controversy that ensued. In an added hour-long segment, health experts and educators talk about the effectiveness and impact of abstinence education. |
How to arrange a program for your congregation or group
FREE! There are no speaker fees involved with bringing an IRCRC speaker or program to your congregation, although honorariums are welcome and appreciated. There may be a minimal expense related to cost of materials and/or travel.
To make arrangements for a guest speaker, film showing and discussion leader, or workshop leader, contact:
Indiana Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice (IRCRC)
PO Box 723
Lafayette IN 47902
Tel: 877-441-5797
Fax: 501-644-3168
E-mail: info@ircrc.org |
