Mission Month - Choices Islington
Last Sunday we heard from Sophie, Director of Choices, about the importance of discussing unplanned pregnancies and their impact on people and families.
Choices is a compassionate and constructive Christian response to unexpected pregnancy and abortion, offering counselling and practical support for whatever choice women (or men) make following a pregnancy crisis.
As a church, we’ve partnered with Choices for over 12 years and believe in the amazing work that this organisation is doing. The organisation runs one of their key services, the Boutique, here in Kings House – offering pre-loved baby clothes and equipment to those who need them.
Here is a story from just one of the many people impacted by Choices:
"I am so grateful to Choices for providing a non-judgemental, supportive space and invaluable help working through the complicated feelings I had in finding out I was pregnant. I found out I was unexpectedly pregnant at five weeks. Shocked, scared, and feeling I neither wanted to have a baby nor a termination, I reached out to Choices.
I was quickly booked for a one-hour online session with one of their counsellors. She immediately made me feel at ease. I was able to talk openly and frankly, without fear of judgement, about how overwhelmed I felt, and about the concerns I had both around having a baby and a termination. The support helped me to clarify my confusion.
After our first session, I received notes laying out my thoughts/feelings and gains/losses as I had described them. I cannot tell you how invaluable it was to receive this and see my feelings and many fears written in a clear structure. It helped to simplify the decision at a time of feeling so confused. We subsequently had two more sessions to further explore the crippling fear and stuckness I felt about making this decision. Both were so helpful.
I came to the service because I didn't know where else to turn. I felt lonely, afraid and guilty for not knowing what I wanted. Choices and their wonderful counsellors provided me with a safe space and the support I needed to work through a complex maze of heavy feelings and reach a decision about my pregnancy. I am beyond grateful to the team at Choices!"
So how can you get involved?
Volunteer
Choices need volunteers to help set up the Boutique on a Wednesday from 9am at King’s House. This could even be for an hour or so before work. They’d also love two more volunteers on a Friday to help with receiving and sorting donations for Boutique between 10am and 12pm.
If you’re interested then please get in touch and/or drop in on Friday Feb 23 from 10am-12pm to meet Marianne, the Boutique Manager, and see how it all works in person.
Support Financially
With International Women’s Day and Mother’s Day both about a month away, why not send a beautiful hand-designed card to a woman you love and want to champion, or to your mother, a mother, or a mother figure in your life? Choices’ very own Marianne Hanbury, Boutique Manager, is designing cards this year and by purchasing them, you’ll be championing your loved ones while supporting others who might be struggling at this moment. Please get your cards from the card shop (keep checking back for updated designs): https://www.choicesislington.org/choicescardshop
Signpost
As Sophie said, 1 in 3 women have an abortion and at least 1 in 4 pregnancies are unplanned. This is an issue that affects us all in one way or another, whether or not we are aware that someone close to us is going through it. So let’s be aware, and not be afraid to support those who might feel they are facing a crisis. Do share Choices’ details with anyone who might need the support – info@choicesislington.org or https://www.choicesislington.org/.
Pray
Please be praying for the work of Choices and for the clients that they see.
If you have any questions or thoughts or are impacted by this topic then please get in touch – we’d love to speak with you.