Clergy group celebrates 100 years of Planned Parenthood
The Progressive Clergy Network of Montana hosted a masquerade celebration and film tribute Thursday to celebrate the 100th year anniversary of the founding of Planned Parenthood.
More than 35 community members and faith leaders gathered at the Celtic Cowboy’s Dark Horse Hall to revel in Planned Parenthood’s achievements in providing quality health care for thousands of Montanans.
The celebration was born out of the idea that the majority of the population does not realize that the founding of Planned Parenthood and the creation of the birth control pill would not have happened without the courageous support of clergy and faith leaders, organizers said.
According to its website, Planned Parenthood is one of the nation’s leading providers of high-quality, affordable health care and the nation’s largest provider of sex education. It has 57 independent local affiliates that operate about 650 health centers nationwide.
The organization has come under criticism for providing abortions, with some saying it is the largest abortion provider in the United States. Supporters say abortion services are provided to less than 3 percent of its customers. It also provided 270,000 Pap tests and more than 360,000 breast exams in a single year.
The Electric City event included speeches by Great Falls faith leaders, one of whom recounted her experiences with female peers before Roe v. Wade and another who found a receipt for an abortion in her mother’s archives after her passing.
Another clergy member spoke about his journey of transitioning from female to male and whose process toward sexual reassignment surgery began with Planned Parenthood.
The speeches ended with remarks from a local community member who has used Planned Parenthood health and birth control services for many years.
The celebration also featured the debut screening of a locally made film, “100 Years of Caring,” by the Rev. Tim Ljunggren of Great Falls.
The film delves into the journey of Planned Parenthood, from its historic beginnings with archival footage to interviews with members of the peer education group Teen Council, which meets once a week in Great Falls.
“Inarguably, faith and religion are significant aspects of the lives of many Montanans. It is with this in mind that we, as members of the Progressive Clergy Network of Montana, stand proudly in support of choice and inclusivity,” said the Rev. Susan Otey of Great Falls. “We aim to show that Montana clergy do, in fact, stand by these values, for they hold true to the teachings of Jesus in treating our neighbor with love, dignity and respect.”
The Progressive Clergy Network of Montana is a multidenominational, statewide network of progressive clergy.
It is a faith-led organization that educates, advocates and supports other clergy in the movement for progressive issues in Montana.
It was created in response to the Colorado Springs Planned Parenthood, San Bernardino, and Orlando night club shootings, culminating in faith-led rallies. It includes more than 50 members statewide spanning a variety of religions and denominations.
More online
Go to: progressiveclergynetworkmt.com.