Right to Life Event Includes Memorial for the Unborn

On a chilly January night two days before the 41st anniversary of Roe v. Wade, a crowd of roughly 170 people marched through downtown Holland, Mich. Some carried handmade signs reading “Choose Life,” “Everyone deserves a birthday,” and “A person’s a person, no matter how small.”

The march was organized by Right to Life of Holland Area in conjunction with Value Human Life Week, Jan. 19-25. It was immediately followed by a memorial service for the unborn at Central Avenue Christian Reformed Church.

Susan Urbytes, a member of Central Ave. CRC, has attended the event with her family for the past 12 years. “It is really encouraging to gather with others . . . to remember the millions lost to abortion and to show others we oppose the law of the land,” she said.

The right to life group’s president, Doug Walcott, reported that the abortion rate in Michigan has dropped over 52 percent since its high in 1987. Walcott is a member of Drenthe CRC in Zeeland, Mich. He urged those at the service to commit to pray for women considering abortion or who have recently had an abortion.

Paul Miller, chair of the Right to Life of Michigan board, was the evening’s main speaker. He shared recent legislative progress for the pro-life movement, celebrated the work of crisis pregnancy centers, and encouraged the audience to continue their efforts. The evening also included hymn singing and a children’s message with the theme, “No matter your size, you are precious to God.”

Michigan lawmakers in attendance were Congressman Bill Huizenga, State Sen. Arlan Meekhof, and State Reps. Bob Genetski, Amanda Price, and Roger Victory.

“Despite the positive advances in the pro-life movement, there is no denying the sadness that surrounds the event,” Urbytes said about the service. “I left convicted and hopeful that the events of the evening will stir in me a desire to do more.”