Pregnancy Care Center holds ‘Line Up for Life’

Contributed photo PREPARING TO LINE UP — Pastor Buck Booker, right, of the State Street Baptist Church in Presque Isle joins in preparing signs for the Pregnancy Care Center’s annual “Line Up for Life” event, held Jan. 24 at the Northeastland Hotel. Nearly 70 people from Houlton to Fort Kent turned out to for a short program and a 45-minute lineup along Main Street to pray for the nation and community, in celebration of Sanctity of Human Life Sunday.

Baby bottle fundraiser now on

PRESQUE ISLE — On Sunday, Jan. 24, the Pregnancy Care Center held their 11th annual “Line Up for Life, an event designed to bring attention to the sanctity of human life, a day set aside by former President Bush to “rededicate ourselves to compassionate service on behalf of the weak and defenseless, and reaffirm our commitment to respect the life and dignity of every human being.”

Sanctity of Human Life Sunday is the Sunday closest to the original Jan. 22 date of the Roe vs. Wade decision legalizing abortion.

“It is important for us not only to believe, but be called to action, said center director Christie Corey. “The Pregnancy Care Center believes every life has immeasurable value and is created in the image of God. We called upon the citizens of The County to join us by holding a positive, life-affirming sign and standing in line along the front of the Northeastland Hotel.”

Corey explained the group prayed silently for the nation, leaders and the community.

“One of my concerns as we honor the sanctity of human life is the woman who is suffering silently with a past abortion,” she said. “I am mindful of the hurt and pain many people have gone through with an abortion. The PCC offers classes to encourage hope and emotional healing to those seeking healing from a past abortion.”

There were two main speakers at the event, Pastor Mitch Ross from the Mars Hill United Baptist Church and Malinda Kierstead from the Presque Isle Full Gospel Assembly.

Kierstead is very familiar to pregnancy care centers as she previously served as a center director in Florida. She shared an inspiring message of how people can make a difference in the battle for life.

Ross shared a brief message. One of his quotes was from Thomas Jefferson: “The care of human life and happiness, and not their destruction, is the first and only object of good government.” He also offered a prayer.

Following the program, close to 70 people marched out of the hotel and stood along the street for 45 minutes in silent prayer. People came from as far south as Houlton and as far north as Fort Kent to be a part of this event honoring life, Corey said.

In conjunction with Sanctity of Human Life Sunday, the center began its annual Baby Bottle Fundraiser.

“This is a simple and fun way for everyone to help raise money,” Corey added. “The center has supplied 71 churches in the County with baby bottles to make available to their members. Each member takes a bottle and works on filling it with their change or dollar bills for the next six weeks.”

The bottles are then returned to the church or the local PCC on Feb. 28. For more information contact the PCC at 764-0022. Donations may also be made through the United Way.

The Pregnancy Care Center has a main office in Presque Isle and satellite offices in Houlton and Fort Kent. Services to women and their families are free and confidential. The Center receives no government funding and relies on three fundraisers a year.