Thanksgiving blessings from the Family Policy Alliance and Family Policy Foundation family to yours!

There is no doubt, 2022 has been a challenging and turbulent time in our nation. A time when it is easy to be frustrated by failures and losses that the media and our leaders dwell upon. But for us, today is a time to be thankful. We pray you have the opportunity this Thanksgiving to reflect on God’s goodness and the endless blessings our Lord has bestowed on all of us.

FPA and FPF are beyond thankful for the huge steps forward we took for our Mission this year, and the opportunities we now have today and for the coming years. We thank God for the historic overturn of Roe v. Wade, conservatives gaining control of the House of Representatives to serve as goalies blocking the worst of DC’s wokeism, the growing Statesman Academy for elected leaders, and the introduction and facilitation of the new School Board Academy.  We are thankful that abortion is already greatly curtailed in 12 states, and hope to gain several more in the coming year.. We are grateful that we won more school board seats in this election than we have ever seen, even in the blue states.

Most of all, we are thankful to you and the thousands of supporters and allies across the country working to advance God-honoring policies. Without your support, we wouldn’t have the chance to serve the Lord in our Mission as we do. You are the one who makes our work possible in support of the alliances we serve in DC and in forty states. You supported our education programs for elected officials so they can stand with their values in public office. You shaped national policy with campaigns like Save Girls Sports, Help Not Harm, and AfterRoe. We are so grateful to you. Thank you!

Thank you for your prayers, support, advocacy, and willingness to fight for what is right!

Please keep us in your prayers and please consider a special prayer that the impending marriage bill in the Senate is not moved forward. We are both praying and doing all we can, even this weekend, to preserve, protect and honor marriage in America.

God bless you and keep you this Thanksgiving!

Craig DeRoche
President & CEO

This Thanksgiving, I have something I need to say: I’M THANKFUL FOR YOU.

This job isn’t easy, but I am blessed to have a profound source of encouragement – knowing that faithful Wyoming Christians like you are standing with us for His glory.

Your prayers, generous contributions, work to spread the message – however you choose to “Advance Biblical Citizenship” – gives me hope and provides me the fuel I need to keep up the fight for our families.

I cannot begin to describe the gratitude I feel. In Wyoming, we’ve seen a change in the political climate because of your faithfulness in partnering with us to elect godly leaders. We’ve also taken a big step with our recent court victory in Cheyenne, where we fought for parental rights in education. Every victory comes as a result of your partnership.

THANK YOU!

My family and I wish you and yours a Blessed Thanksgiving and a joyous time as you reflect on all the good things the Lord is doing in your life and in those around you. We serve an AWESOME God!

With Thanksgiving for all of you,

Nathan Winters
Executive Director

Happy Thanksgiving!

For everything that needs fixing in our nation today, there remains a whole lot for us to be thankful for.

Today, we are thankful for the amazing network of Believers and friends who take action on critical issues in our Action Center, volunteer, donate and participate in our education courses through Family Policy Alliance and Family Policy Foundation.

In other words—we are thankful for you.

To the secular, far Left thought leaders, this was their year to launch an all-out assault on the families holding firm to God, their marriage, their children and their rights as parents. They expected to close the chapter on the American family by eliminating our religious freedom and erasing gender. They demeaned mothers by reducing them to “birthing vessels” and turned our kids in public schools over to radical sexualization and “critical race theory.”

But, they didn’t expect what happened next.

Parents just like you and me pushed back. We rose up, spoke up and then we showed up in the elections. We made a difference, and we have started something big.

And it is just beginning.

Yes, there is a lot to be thankful for. Thank you, God. Thank you, Jesus. Thank you, Spirit, for your guidance. Thank you for all your help in this most challenging year. We are blessed to have your support and prayers and want to share our support and prayers for you this Thanksgiving.

Many Blessings,

Craig DeRoche
CEO

 

 

 

 

P.S. Speaking of Roe v. Wade and next week, we are also very excited to share with you about a new prolife campaign you made it possible to launch. The big reveal happens next week, but because we are so thankful for you, I wanted to give you a hint this Thanksgiving week. This new campaign will focus on the next chapter in protecting life in America. The seven Supreme Court justices who decided Roe v. Wade had no idea the decision would cost 62 Million American lives and counting. They didn’t know about ultrasounds. And they certainly didn’t know about the incredible prolife movement that would rise up. But now they do.

 

 

 

Dear friends:

I wish I could say that Thanksgiving for our family consists of an early morning in which the turkey goes into the oven at 4 am, cinnamon rolls freshly baked, the kid’s paper turkeys on display, delicious food that we don’t overeat, and perfect portions of dessert. In reality our thanksgiving is actually PJs till lunch time, the kid’s paper turkeys missing feathers or eyeballs (or both), and a pre-cooked ham that takes twenty minutes to heat. We have lots of laughter as we have mishaps in the kitchen or as my husband and kids chaotically run around the house chasing each other, laughing hysterically and constantly poking their fingers in the mashed potatoes. However chaotic and silly it all is, our home is full of love and laughter. And while many things might not be held in perfect tradition one thing has remained consistent: we take turns sharing the things we are thankful for, knowing that we are thankful for them every day – but that Thanksgiving is a day to make sure we say it out loud!

This year, one of the things I’m thankful for is you!

I am deeply and sincerely thankful for you and your support. As our ministry partners, you continue to bless the hearts of all involved with Family Policy Alliance of New Mexico. Your support, whether by prayer, guidance or giving, makes it possible for us to go above and beyond in our efforts to unleash biblical citizenship in New Mexico. Your generous hearts inspire us and drive us to think outside the box and find fresh ways to continue making a difference. Thank you, from the depths of our hearts, for all you do.

We pray that you have a wonderful Thanksgiving! One that allows you to eat too much, snooze on the couch, and be surrounded by love and laughter.

With a thankful heart,

Jodi Hendricks
Executive Director

Thanksgiving is next week. This historic American celebration feels very different than it did 18 months ago.  From riots to political hate, and of course our ever-present COVID virus, we’ve seen our world unravel. Last year, we even heard health experts suggesting that we have family members use something like Zoom to be part of our Thanksgiving celebration, instead of coming over in person. Are you kidding me? And they’re not talking just about high-risk persons, which I could understand. They were talking about any relative or friend.

This year, the attacks on personal liberty have grown to the point where some are calling for the end of freedom and personal liberty. Because of unprecedented spending from Washington, inflation has grown to its highest level in 31 years.

Still, we are called to be a people of thanksgiving.

George Washington issued the first Thanksgiving Proclamation in 1789, just a few years after the Revolutionary War and two years after our Constitution was enacted. The fact that it was proclaimed almost contemporaneously with the founding of our country tells you something of its importance to our founding fathers. In case you’ve never read the Proclamation, I’ve included it below. It is fascinating, particularly given our current circumstances [bold text and brackets are mine].

Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor– and whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness.

Now therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th day of November next to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be– That we may then all unite in rendering unto him our sincere and humble thanks–for his kind care and protection of the People of this Country previous to their becoming a Nation–for the signal and manifold mercies, and the favorable interpositions of his Providence which we experienced in the course and conclusion of the late war–for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty, which we have since enjoyed–for the peaceable and rational manner, in which we have been enabled to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national One now lately instituted–for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed; and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and in general for all the great and various favors which he hath been pleased to confer upon us.

And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech him to pardon our national and other transgressions– to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually–to render our national government a blessing to all the people, by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed–to protect and guide all Sovereigns and Nations (especially such as have shewn kindness unto us) and to bless them with good government, peace, and concord–To promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the [i]ncrease of science among them and us–and generally to grant unto all Mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as he alone knows to be best.

Source: Thanksgiving Proclamation of 1789

What a statement about what our country should be thankful for! Does that sound like us right now? I’m afraid it doesn’t in many respects. But before we start pointing fingers and complaining, keep in mind that Washington had just been through a war, seen many of his men killed for these beliefs, and spawned a fledgling nation that was essentially a big experiment. He knew what mattered: that God was the source of his nation’s thanksgiving.

When I compare my situation to that of Washington’s, I have much to be thankful for, including being able to live in this nation birthed over 200 years ago. Our duty is to make sure we preserve that nation and what it stood for. To protect our ability to gather with our families and celebrate holidays. To worship and conduct business according to our religious beliefs. To protect all life, given that it’s a gift from God.

Preserving this nation gives rise to the thankfulness Washington expressed. It is both a strong foundation and a delicate thing that can be lost. Let’s make sure that never happens.

With Thanksgiving for all of you,

Nathan Winters
Executive Director

 

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances;
for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

The American way of life was interrupted this year. The damage for some is understandably beyond repair. The loss of loved ones, the loss of job security, and the loss of trust in our institutions. Yet, God through the Apostle Paul, reminds us to rejoice, pray, and to give thanks in all circumstances – including life in 2020.

I believe this unprecedented and unpredictable year has caused many to consider with gratitude what in previous years we took for granted. Today, these simple relationships and interactions have become much more complex due to restrictions and mandates:

I want to encourage you this Thanksgiving to appreciate and value your church family and those that labor among you in the Lord. It was not long ago when church doors were locked, and lawsuits were being filed. Let us never take the worship experience for granted – even in New Jersey – especially now.

Furthermore, instead of being upset with seemingly endless threats of business shutdowns and ten-person capacity limits on holiday gatherings, let us be grateful that we live in a state that has over 860,000 small businesses and with hundreds of thousands of homes that can hold ten people or more for a family meal. In many other nations, such economic activity and personal large living space is rare. Let us never take our economic freedom and the right to own property for granted – even in New Jersey – especially now.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Shawn Hyland
Director of Advocacy

 

“Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise.
Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.” –Psalm 100:4

Dear Friends:

On behalf of my family and Family Policy Alliance of Wyoming, I want to wish you a joyful and happy Thanksgiving!

In 1869, when Wyoming was still a territory of the Union, Governor J.A. Campbell issued a proclamation of Thanksgiving throughout the Territory of Wyoming.

In the proclamation Governor Campbell recommended that “on that day, all secular pursuits be suspended throughout the whole extent of the territory; and that our people assemble together at their places of public worship or in the privacy of their own homes and render thanks and praise to Almighty God, the giver of all good.”

He went on to describe the state of the state in that year and then closed with these words: “It is meet and proper that we render humble and heart-felt thanks to Him from whom all good gifts come.”

Family Policy Alliance of Wyoming® officially began this year. What a year to start! Amid a tumultuous election season and COVID-19 and all of its responses, this will be a never-forgotten moment in the history of our state. I want to stop for a moment and thank you for your prayers and partnership which make our ministry possible. Together, we are helping our fellow Wyomingites live as good citizens of both heaven and earth: biblically faithful, civically responsible, culturally influential.

As we enter this holiday season, may we heed Governor Campbell’s words and the words of Scripture by offering thanks to our Lord and extending His love and blessings to those in need.

God bless you and your family,

Nathan, Christie, Liberty, Zayden, and Bryzon

“Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise!
Give thanks to him; bless his name!” –Psalm 100:4

Dear Friends—

On behalf of my family and Family Policy Alliance of New Mexico, I want to wish you a joyous and happy Thanksgiving!

In 1913, before it was proclaimed a national holiday, New Mexico’s first Governor, William McDonald, proclaimed Thanksgiving Day in our state and offered the following words:

“I urge upon all that this day be observed as one of prayer and praise to God for the many blessings enjoyed by our people. At the same time may we not forget the poor and needy, making the day what its name implies for all.”

 During these particularly challenging times, may we all heed Governor McDonald’s words by offering thanks to God and extending His love and blessings to all in need.

Thank you for your prayers and support!

God bless,

Vince, Tiffany, Brooklyn, and Gavin

 

 

Dear Friends,

Is this Thanksgiving a difficult one for you and your family?

Have you been personally impacted by COVID-19, lost a family member, wondered if your job, business or ministry will survive, how and where your child or grandchild will continue school, or how our nation will weather the challenges that appear to be before us – even as recounts, legal challenges and runoffs continue in this year’s election?

Have you wondered where God has been this year, and if you can truly be thankful this Thanksgiving?

As I reflect on this year, I have been stretched beyond what I could possibly have imagined, including the loss of my beloved father. I have also witnessed and heard of others’ suffering – more than at any point previously in my life.  Without a doubt, it has been a hard year.

We’ve probably all heard at least one person say, “I can’t wait for 2020 to be over.” I can certainly relate, and hope 2021 will be a “better year.”

But in thinking about Thanksgiving this year, and about what 2021 may hold for us as believers, I’ve realized a few things the Lord has been impressing on my heart this year, that might just be an encouragement for you, too.

First, to be thankful for the time we have, being mindful of not wishing time away because this year has been difficult. We aren’t promised tomorrow, nor do we know what tomorrow will bring. Yet, we know the One who holds the future in the palm of His hand, and has told us not to worry about tomorrow (Matthew 6:34).

I’m also cherishing the blessings of the present more. During my dad’s illness, that meant enjoying as many beautiful Colorado afternoons together as possible, and special visits from close friends and family. For others, that might be a birthday, anniversary, promotion, graduation, wedding or birth. If we don’t know how many tomorrows we have – or what those tomorrows will bring – we should live fully in each moment, thankful for each breath and time with those we love.

Second, to be thankful that difficulty brings the Lord’s graciousness into greater focus. So many times, I’ve known in a general way that the Lord is working in my life or in circumstances around me. But in 2020, there’s been nothing vague about it. I’ve experienced miracles I doubt I would have seen or marveled over if things hadn’t been so challenging. But miracles that I know are gifts from my Heavenly Father (Romans 8:28, James 1:17).

Third, to be thankful for His presence. This year, the two qualities that have struck me most about our Lord are His goodness and His faithfulness. And those have become more apparent to me because I have felt His presence in a new and incredibly precious way. If 2021 is a “better year,” I pray I never lose sight of 2020 and who God has shown Himself to be – and that I must continually draw near to Him (James 4:8).

And even as I write these words for Thanksgiving, I’m also thinking about the beginning of Advent in a few days – and how the long wait for Immanuel, who is “God with us,” takes on even greater significance this year.

Finally, a few of my favorite verses come to mind from Psalm 27, written by David – who certainly experienced many a difficult year both before and after he became king of Israel. In verses 13 and 14, he declares: “I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.”

And that’s my prayer for you and our nation this Thanksgiving, that we will be confident and strong in the Lord, taking heart, waiting for Him—and thankful for His presence with us, which is more than enough. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!

From my heart to yours,


Sonja Swiatkiewicz
Family Policy Alliance

Here’s Why I Thank You

At Family Policy Alliance®, we talk a lot about our vision of a nation where God is honored, religious freedom flourishes, families thrive and life is cherished.

But without you, that would just be a lot of talk.

I’m thankful for you because – in a variety of ways – you help turn that vision into reality. Let me count the ways:

1. You act.

We know that politicians are far more likely to listen when they hear from their constituents. That’s why we put great emphasis on helping you speak up to your elected officials. And how you have responded! So far in 2019, you’ve sent well over half a million messages through our online Action Center – plus countless thousands of phone calls – helping bring about some stunning victories!

2. You give.

Your sacrificial giving to protect life, to uphold religious freedom and to help families thrive not only makes all of our work possible, but it is such an inspiration. Every dollar you give is deeply appreciated and carefully used to advance this critical mission.

3. You pray.

It’s your most powerful weapon in the cultural chaos of this moment. Thank you for your prayers – for Family Policy Alliance and for our nation.

4. You share.

Thank you for multiplying the impact and the reach of Family Policy Alliance by regularly sharing information and action alerts with your circle of influence. That simple act makes such a difference!

This year, your actions, donations, prayers and sharing have yielded a harvest of good results. Here’s just a taste of what you helped accomplish:

You helped religious freedom flourish by defeating dangerous legislation in several states – and your outpouring of nearly 60,000 messages to the halls of power in D.C. helped to stop the catastrophic so-called Equality Act. And in this month’s elections, your support was pivotal in electing candidates who are committed to protecting religious freedom.

You helped families thrive by advancing various pro-family policies around the country – from New Jersey to Idaho. Just as important, you stopped a host of anti-family schemes such as the poorly named Equal Rights Amendment, and your tens of thousands of messages stopped in its tracks a big push to legalize prostitution in our nation’s capital.

You helped cherish life by passing major pro-life legislation – from Georgia to North Dakota and beyond. You also protected the elderly and infirm by stopping assisted suicide in several states. And you helped bring about the biggest 2019 public policy miracle of all – the against-all-odds defeat of a radical pro-abortion bill in New Mexico that seemed impossible to stop.

And there’s so much more – from the scores of trained Statesmen Academy alums serving in legislative bodies to the major, behind-the-scenes preparation for next year’s monumental elections.

Your support, in all of the ways I mentioned above, has been instrumental.

And that’s why I thank you.

Sincerely,

Paul Weber
President and CEO