I can’t fully express to you how thankful I am for the team at First Image. In an uncertain season, our staff and volunteers have been prayerful, faithful, thoughtful, and courageous. In the last few days, our Pregnancy Center Directors came together and affirmed that the service we provide women facing unsupported pregnancy is essential health care and must continue as long as possible, while keeping in step with the latest recommendations. In fact, right now our Centers are booked solid with ultrasound appointments and our staff and volunteers are working to keep up with the need, even as our staffing levels are reduced. To read more about how First Image is responding, take a look at this update from Larry, our CEO.
I’m writing you to talk specifically about how we intend to proceed with this year’s Steps for Life. Steps for Life is one of the most important events of the year, both in engaging God’s people in our city in a compassionate and redemptive response to the denial of personhood and reality of unsupported pregnancy, and in raising funds that are critical to doing what we do.
We know that holding a physical event, which had nearly 700 attendees last year, is not likely to be viable by May 23rd. But even still, if we can’t be together in person, we are convinced we can be together in spirit and even have some fun along the way! So, my friends, welcome to the launch of Steps for Life Online 2020!
Our theme this year is “Love in Motion,” and we believe we can keep our love moving and active for the people we serve in this challenging season when so many other things are put on hold.
But how?
We’ve been working rapidly to update our website and other key materials to reflect our move to an online event. Here are a few important things to note:
- May 23rd, at 10am, we will be hosting a webcast where you will hear a firsthand story of redemption, learn about the mission of First Image, and celebrate all of the work you’ve done to support the people we serve! Following the webcast, each of us will be putting our love into motion wherever we are and whomever we are with, by taking a walk, running a 5k, or doing some other physical activity (did someone say dance party?) to demonstrate that our love is on the move.
- We have launched a Facebook Group called “Steps for Life Online 2020.” This is where we can share pictures, videos, encouragement and the like both in the lead-up to and on the day of this viritual event. If you aren’t on Facebook, don’t worry, we’ll be communicating in many ways.
- Be on the lookout for those communications we’ll be sending to support you in this change. We’ll be doing some pre-event webcasts along the way, and we’re working on an Online Fundraising Tool Kit that should be out by the end of next week.
- Register or sponsor participants online just like normal. Though we are moving to a virtual Walk & Run, we still encourage everyone who is going to participate in the event to register. It is even more important to get an accurate “headcount,” even if you are going to walk or run on your own at a different time other than on May 23rd.
A Final Note on Joy and Generosity
We know that impact of COVID-19 will be long felt throughout the world and some are affected by it more acutely than others. That impact comes in a variety of ways, one of which is the widespread financial strain inflicted by this pandemic.
Steps for Life is a fundraising event, and we recognize that many in our community will be feeling the financial stress of this season. It is important to us that giving flows from a place of joy and peace and we don’t want anybody to feel an undue obligation to give (2 Corinthians 9:7). We also know that generosity has a unique power to unlock joy and peace in anxious times. So, we want to both encourage generosity toward the vulnerable in this season and acknowledge the significant impact many are feeling.
Let us make this Steps for Life season, where we are putting our Love in Motion, one of radical grace and generosity toward one another in this extraordinary time.
We are so thankful for all of you who make it possible to do life giving work according to the way of Jesus.
Your Fellow Follower,
Luke
Director of Stewardship Development
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