From a sermon preached at the Broad Bay Congregational United Church of Christ
Waldoboro, Maine
January 23, 2022
Rev. Nancy R. Duncan
John 3:1-21

Churches opposing the right to choose an abortion are far more vocal than those who support the right to choose. It is time to break the silence.

In the decision to either choose to end a pregnancy or carry a pregnancy to term, women and their trusted family and friends grapple with life. Not simply the life of the fetus, but life of the mother and the family. Whatever choice is made, it can be life giving.

The place of this choice is holy ground. Too often the church has been silent or absent. Worse yet, churches have heaped shame upon the women and their families with turned backs or open condemnation.

The abortion landscape is packed with loud and angry voices when what we need is quiet, respectful, and open-hearted listening.

Listening to an addict who is pregnant. 

Listening to one in an abusive relationship.

Listening to stories of rape or incest.

Listening to one who just learned that her fetus, will die in utero or at birth.

Listening to one who is mentally or physically ill.

Listening to one whose relationship is on the rocks.

Listening to one who is exhausted and afraid.

Listening.

Listen, knowing that God is in the decision to choose an abortion or to choose against abortion.

Nicodemus went to Jesus in the darkness of night, in secret to ask questions. To understand what it might mean to be born again–to be born again in the Spirit.

All too often women with unwanted pregnancies or problem pregnancies struggle alone in the dark, with no one to bless them as they choose life—whether they are choosing life for a fetus or life for themselves and their families.

God is present in that choice. As access to abortion is becoming increasing difficult and is likely to become more so, we need to be even more attentive.

Many of us carry some ambivalence about abortion but I can’t imagine that most of us want the government making those decisions for us and our families.

We, the church, can provide the metaphorical womb for one another by simply listening and trusting that each of us has the moral agency to make life giving decisions—whether the decision is to carry a fetus to term or to end the pregnancy.

When we hold one another in love and when we listen closely to one another, we build a framework to make holy, life affirming decisions. We provide holy space for another to listen to the wisdom that lies deep within.

When we shame one another, we retreat into the darkness where the shame takes root with bitter consequences. When we hold one another in the light, it is more likely that there will be an experience of rebirth.

We can bring abortion decisions out into the open—naming them as holy, though often difficult decisions, where life is affirmed. 

Let’s create sacred spaces so that the choice to terminate a pregnancy or not to terminate a pregnancy is a life giving holy choice.

May women not carry shame around the decision to end a pregnancy but be left free to engage life and love with new energy and purpose.

May we bless the women who have chosen abortion as we bless the mothers who have born children.

Nicodemous went to Jesus in the darkness.  And found light. And rebirth.

May we be people who shower love upon one another. May we be the people who listen with love and embrace the complexity of choosing life and love. Amen.