2023 Illinois March For Life

March 21, 2023

For many, the day began with a Matins service commemorating Joseph, Guardian of our Lord, at Trinity Lutheran Church in downtown Springfield. The host congregation’s pastor, Rev. Paul Hemenway, served as liturgist. Scripture lessons were read by Southern Illinois District President Timothy Scharr, Northern Illinois District Vice-President Cory Estby, and Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod President Matthew Harrison.

About 280 people attended Matins. They ate light lunches from Subway after the service while they awaited the noon pro-life rally in front of the capitol.

Following the rally, the March for Life stepped off at about 1:15. The crowd was estimated at 3,000 - 4,000 attendees. It took just over half an hour for participants to complete a counter-clockwise circuit around the capitol complex. A few pro-abortion protesters had positioned themselves outside the state library building, across the street from Trinity Lutheran Church, but there was no breach in civility. In fact, some of the pro-abortion protesters accepted the gift of lunch extended by Trinity congregation’s gracious LWML ladies.

Issues, etc. conducted several interviews from Trinity on the day of the Illinois March for Life. The audio recordings can be accessed on demand.

• Dr. Ken Schurb on the LCMS history with the subject of abortion
  

• LCMS President Matthew Harrison and Deaconess Dr. Tiffany Manor on national LCMS pro-life efforts
  

• Pastors Kirk Clayton and Mark Surburg, from southern Illinois, on life issues at the congregational level
  

• Bishop Thomas John Paprocki from the Springfield Diocese, with a Roman Catholic perspective