ELGIN, IL (August 16, 2013)—A federal judge last week banned the city of Elgin from enforcing zoning restrictions that would prevent an anti-abortion group from operating its mobile clinic in the parking lots of a local bar and the Elgin Covenant Church.

Since 2010, The Life Center (TLC) has parked its specially equipped RV one day a week throughout the year in the lots with permission. Both locations are near Larkin High School.

The Covenant church has no formal connections with the nonprofit, which offers free ultrasounds, pregnancy tests, prenatal vitamins, and pregnancy information. Pastor Jonathan Wilson noted, “While we certainly celebrate this outcome, the church was never a party to the lawsuit itself.”

In August 2012, Elgin authorities ordered TLC to shut down the mobile clinic pursuant to a recently amended city ordinance that classified it as a temporary land use limited to four days per year.

In his opinion, Judge Samuel Der-Yeghiayan wrote “[It] must be recognized that the City is preventing Life Center from being able to effectively provide pregnant women in the City with needed medical care that could identify issues and save lives of unborn children. Life Center has in fact provided evidence that it has helped a multitude of young women who have used the services at the Mobile Facility.”

 

Windsor Park Seeks Large-Print Red Hymnals

CAROL STREAM, IL (August 16, 2013)—The Windsor Park Covenant Retirement Community is seeking donations of 150 large-print “Red” Covenant hymnals.

“Windsor Park affiliated with CRC in 1999 and has a small percentage of residents with a Covenant background,” says Tom Peterson, the community’s lead chaplain. “We see this as an opportunity to strengthen our connection with the Evangelical Covenant Church.”

Peterson says he hopes to receive donations by Advent. December 1 is the first Sunday of Advent.

Individuals and churches wanting to donate hymnals can email Peterson or call him at (630) 510-4721. “If you have copies you or your church would be willing to donate, we will gladly pay the shipping,” says Peterson.