Open-Air Drug Market

Shootings and homicides are often just the fruit of the tree called crime. The roots are usually in drugs. Dr. William Morehouse has been helping people for 35 years at Grace Family Medicine on Arnett Boulevard. But how he and his wife Susan need help to save their neighborhood from the drug dealers right outside their front door.

"Is there a real safety issue here," I asked him.

"The patients certainly think that there is. They're very worried when they get out of their car and they see people like that and they have to walk past them or through them," Morehouse answered. "You battle it and you fight it and you say no not here. We've got patients coming in, we've got little kids; and they go away and then they come back," Susan said.

Empty bags of marijuana litter the sidewalk in front of the clinic. We showed them to Rochester Police Officer Ben Caruso.

"Why this quantity? Is is so they can't get into trouble," I asked him.

 "Well the folks out here are dealing in the hand-to-hand stuff. It's a difficult arrest," Caruso answered. "As fast as they're arrested on this charge, they'll be released on it just as quickly."

So how can a small inner-city medical clinic fight back against drug dealers? What is at stake if they lose?

Kevin Doran for WHEC-TV, Channel 8 News, Rochester, NY, November 12, 2013

Gun Buyback a Great Success!

We thought you all would like to hear the results of the Gun Buyback last Saturday. We brought in 243 guns - more than 1/2 were hand guns and of those 150 only 10 were legally registered, in other words 140 illegal handguns! Also one assault rifle was brought in with its magazines of ammo. At least two young men bringing in their guns that were definitely coming from off the streets. One young man said he was making some changes in his life and didn't want to be involved with guns anymore. Wow! It was an amazing day for us all. The Rochester Police Department says this is the biggest single gun buyback ever in Rochester. Thank you to those who brought in food for the officers and people who brought in guns. It was much appreciated!

Click here to read the full article in the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle.

Gun Buyback Prayer Walk

Community prayer walk promotes peace

By: Joangel Concepcion | WHEC.com (Click here for video version)
   
Enough is enough. That's what the Rochester community is saying after a week of violence in the city. Residents took their mission to the streets Saturday morning in hopes of reaching Rochester's youth.

Six people have been shot, two of them killed, and it's only the seventh day in September. This recent spike in violence began last Sunday when a man was shot on Resolute Street. On Wednesday two people were shot on Pullman Avenue. One of them died. The very next day there was another double shooting near Saratoga Avenue and Lyell Avenue. One person was wounded, the other killed. Friday night a man was shot in the back on Chili Avenue and Hobart Street.

Some local residents are demanding an end to the violence. They took to the streets Saturday morning to promote peace and change. The walk was not only to promote peace, but it was to help get guns out of the wrong hands. Rochester Police Chief James Sheppard says this is what he's been hoping for, getting the community together to help.

“Everything helps. Every little bit helps. The Rochester Police Department can't do it alone and  it's obvious we can't do it alone. Anyone who wants to help us, we're going to embrace their support. We're going to work with anyone who wants to work with us. At the end of the day we're going to get this done. I have tremendous faith,” said Chief Sheppard.

Chief Sheppard joined members of the community, including members of local churches, walking through neighborhoods and praying together, hoping for a better future. The Chief says it has been a rough few months and he's hoping this initiative will make teenagers think twice about going down the wrong path.

Supporters also promoted the city's gun buyback program. They are hoping the push will get guns off of the streets. One of the supporters knows firsthand about the recent violence His brother was the victim in Friday night's shooting on Chili Avenue. He says no family should go through what his family is going through.

“It touched home. With my neighborhood, it's been in my neighborhood, but now it's at my back door. So it's very important for me to get out here and spread the word that these young kids need to give these guns up because these kids don't know what they're doing. They have no idea the damage and destruction they are causing,” said Ray Bradley.

The next gun buyback will be at the end of this month. The Rochester Police Department is taking all guns in exchange for debit and gift cards, no questions asked. They are also collecting all ammunition. For more information on the buyback program, click here.

EO Volunteer Men Bless HBI

Saturday morning at 8 am a crew of 7 gifted and talented men gathered at His Branches for prayer, followed by a very structured work day - they were there to install 30 new custom insulated windows in our 3 upstairs offices suites to replace the original, leaky, rattling, wooden windows we've been living with for years. Old and drafty in the winter, hot in the summer, but at least they kept the birds out...

Our experienced crew chief had estimated that the job could be done in one full Saturday, but others were doubtful and thought it would take at least two full days. Well, this gang pulled together in such a remarkably efficient way that all 30 windows were installed, rubbish cleaned up, and old windows hauled away before 3 pm! Is that a praise report, or what? Our faithful staff and clients will be offering their own thanks as the years go by when they're warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Special thanks go out to all who made this project such a success.

TWISY Event Rocks!

RYO hosted another wonderfully successful youth-led and run all-ages TWISY music Event this Friday night at their space on Warwick Ave. The weather was perfect and all the preparations were in place when the first guests started arriving at 4. By suppertime, the space was packed with people, young and old, enjoying the live music, refreshments, and wholesome social atmosphere. By 8 pm as the sun was going down, it all wrapped up. Thanks to all who poured themselves into creating such a great evening for all of us! Let's hope and pray that this is just the start of what will prove to be a very encouraging year ahead. Yes, TWISY - The World Is Still Young!

Mount Olivet Mass Choir

As our Block Party was reaching a climax Saturday afternoon, the Mount Olivet Mass Choir showed up in force with keyboards, backup musicians, choir leader, and their pastor singing along with them.

What a wonderful way to close out a community celebration of God's goodness, promises, hope, and provision for the future.

SOHL Day of Prayer

Sunday, Jan. 22nd is National Sanctity of Human Life Sunday (SOHL). Embracing Options is offering FREE bulletin inserts for your congregation. Please click here to read our SOLS Invitation. It contains a letter for your pastor, document "What is SOHL Sunday?" and an order form to order them to share with your church family. Please contact our office at (585) 235-0690 and let us know how many FREE inserts you want for your congregation.

7th Annual SOHL (Sanctity of Human Life) Day of Prayer, Friday January 20th from 12:30 to 4:30 pm (3:45 p.m. we will be a Memorial Service held for the little ones lost to abortion) at Embracing Options, 350 Arnett Boulevard, Rochester, NY 14619. Light refreshments and coffee will be provided.

Invited: All Pro-Lifers in the Rochester area who either stand on the front lines daily against abortion or if you have a heart for the sanctity of human life. We ask Pastors to come pray with and over us to bless us for the upcoming year of this battle against abortion and its ravages on our community. Contact Althea Pitts-Swails at (585) 235-0690 if you'd like to attend or share a brief message of encouragement for all the staff and volunteers in the local pro-life community.

Merry Christmas!

Greetings from the Morehouses! 

We deeply appreciate all your support and look forward to serving together with you in the coming year.

Click here to read our holiday letter.

SOHL Commemoration Events

Sunday, Jan. 23rd is National Sanctity of Human Life Sunday (SOHL). Embracing Options is offering FREE bulletin inserts for your congregation. Please see the attached file. It contains a letter for your pastor, document "What is SOHL Sunday?" and an order form to order them to share with your church family. Please contact our office at (585) 235-0690 and let us know how many FREE inserts you want for your congregation. 

6th Annual SOHL (Sanctity of Human Life) Day of Prayer, Friday January 21st from Noon to 5 pm (4 p.m. will be a Memorial Service held for the dear little ones lost to abortion) at Embracing Options, 350 Arnett Boulevard, Rochester, NY 14619. Light refreshments and coffee will be provided.

Invited: All Pro-Lifers in the Rochester area who either stand on the front lines daily against abortion or if you have a heart for the sanctity of human life. We ask Pastors to come pray with and over us to bless us for the upcoming year of this battle against abortion and its ravages on our community. Contact Sandi Clawson at (585) 235-0690 if you'd like to attend or share a brief message of encouragement for all the staff and volunteers in the local pro-life community.

"New Normal" on Abortion

Americans More "Pro-Life"
For second year straight, "pro-life" and "pro-choice" closely matched
by Lydia Saad

PRINCETON, NJ -- The conservative shift in Americans' views on abortion that Gallup first recorded a year ago has carried over into 2010. Slightly more Americans call themselves "pro-life" than "pro-choice," 47% vs. 45%, according to a May 3-6 Gallup poll. This is nearly identical to the 47% to 46% division found last July following a more strongly pro-life advantage of 51% to 42% last May.

While the two-percentage-point gap in current abortion views is not significant, it represents the third consecutive time Gallup has found more Americans taking the pro-life than pro-choice position on this measure since May 2009, suggesting a real change in public opinion. By contrast, in nearly all readings on this question since 1995, and each survey from 2003 to 2008, more Americans called themselves pro-choice than pro-life.

Click here to read the Gallup Poll's full report.

New Vision in 2010

As 2009 comes to a close, we’re anticipating the new plans the Lord has for us to fulfill. This past summer, in response to the growing need at His Branches, we pulled together a development committee that includes Board members, some staff, and others willing to donate their time. We recognize the urgency to establish ourselves on a solid financial base with community support to keep our doors open during these times of deep economic stress. Meeting monthly, the Lord has blessed us with expanded opportunities and relationships with individuals and with local community action groups who can help.

In July we met with the Ad Council of Rochester to “write our vision on a tablet” (Habakkuk 2:2-3) and clarify what we’re called to do. The Strategic Round Table met for 3 hours to generate ideas and identify the challenges we face. With the help of 10 marketing professionals who volunteered their time, we prioritized a lot of great ideas. We learned the importance of website optimization, how to tailor our message, and how to recruit administrative staff that can help us reach our goals. We all came away energized and encouraged. Our upcoming fund raising banquet on May 13th is one of the ideas we are moving on. More to come on that!

Our heart is to reach the people of Rochester for Christ by shining His Love openly through medical and crisis pregnancy care. There are a few groups that are talking with us about opening other crisis pregnancy offices similar to or in conjunction with Embracing Options. We would like to expand in our support of these groups. The spiritual hunger and physical needs are obvious but our resources are limited. Please help us to continue this work of mercy in our community.

Click here to read the December print version of The Grapevine.

The Manhattan Declaration

A Call of Christian Conscience

Christians, when they have lived up to the highest ideals of their faith, have defended the weak and vulnerable and worked tirelessly to protect and strengthen vital institutions of civil society, beginning with the family.

We are Orthodox, Catholic, and evangelical Christians who have united at this hour to reaffirm fundamental truths about justice and the common good, and to call upon our fellow citizens, believers and non-believers alike, to join us in defending them. These truths are:

1. the sanctity of human life
2. the dignity of marriage as the conjugal union of husband and wife
3. the rights of conscience and religious liberty.

Inasmuch as these truths are foundational to human dignity and the well-being of society, they are inviolable and non-negotiable. Because they are increasingly under assault from powerful forces in our culture, we are compelled today to speak out forcefully in their defense, and to commit ourselves to honoring them fully no matter what pressures are brought upon us and our institutions to abandon or compromise them. We make this commitment not as partisans of any political group but as followers of Jesus Christ, the crucified and risen Lord, who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

Download a summary of the Manhattan Declaration.
Download the full text of the Manhattan Declaration.

Oscar Romero - 3/24/80

Oscar Romero: Bishop of the Poor

In 1980, in the midst of a U.S. funded war the UN Truth Commission called genocidal, the soon-to-be-assassinated Archbishop Oscar Romero promised history that life, not death, would have the last word. "I do not believe in death without resurrection," he said. "If they kill me, I will be resurrected in the Salvadoran people."

On this 29th anniversary of his death, the people will march through the streets carrying that promise printed on thousands of banners. Mothers will make pupusas (thick tortillas with beans) at 5 am, pack them, and prepare the children for a two-to-four hour ride or walk to the city to remember the gentle man they called Monseñor.

Oscar Romero gave his last homily on March 24. Moments before a sharpshooter felled him, reflecting on scripture, he said, "One must not love oneself so much, as to avoid getting involved in the risks of life that history demands of us, and those that fend off danger will lose their lives."

Click here to read a profoundly thoughtful prayer offered at Romero's memorial service that has become an indelible part of the heritage this brave and humble man left to us.

America at the Crossroads

Dear Friends,

I write to you today with contrasting and conflicting emotions. We have just seen the inauguration of the nation's first black President, and many of us, even those who didn't vote for him, are celebrating that historic moment. Given the scourge of slavery and the suffering of African Americans through most of the past 400 years, our ancestors would never have believed that a black man would someday be elected to the most powerful and influential position on earth. That is, indeed, a political achievement that is unprecedented in the history of this great nation. I congratulate President Barack Obama on his victory and his inauguration. Shirley and I are praying for him, the First Lady, and their children.

At the same time, I am deeply saddened and profoundly troubled by many of the policies and positions that the new president has pledged to support. He has taken dead-aim at the institution of the family and the moral principles on which it is based...

Click here to read Dr. James Dobson's entire commentary on the times in which we live in the February issue of Family Action News.

Change Has Come

Yesterday America's voters went to the polls and chose leaders for our future. Many of us have been praying earnestly for God's hand to be upon our land through our democratic process. Today the results are in, and we would like to congratulate all who have won election to office and wish them well in their endeavors. We are particularly holding up our new President-elect, Barack Obama, and his running mate and transition team as they prepare to pick up the reigns of our country in these unusually challenging times. While we may disagree with the stands they have taken on some issues, especially the critical ones of abortion and homosexuality, we pledge our full prayer support for them as they seek to bring healing and restore stability, both at home and abroad.

Click on the picture above to view Senator Obama's encouraging acceptance speech, and click here for a link to the website of his transition team.

God bless you!

Focus on the Epicenter

Here are two thought-provoking articles for your reflection as we enter times of national political change and global unrest:

1. Dr. James Dobson's current newsletter from Focus Action.
2. The Introduction and Chapter 1 of Joel Rosenberg's recent book, Epicenter.

Both are dense but well worth the read.

Abortion 2008

MSNBC and Newsweek have both run very interesting articles on the relationship between the abortion issue and the candidates in this year's upcoming presidential election. Click on the following links to read each article:

MSNBC - How McCain, Obama will change abortion policy
Newsweek - ProLife Catholics For Obama

Faith and Elections

His Branches does not endorse specific candidates in the electoral process or exercise strong political advocacy, preferring rather to demonstrate Christ's love through community-building and relationship-restoring acts of kindness and service. Along with the Pew Foundation and many others, however, we do believe that people of faith should exercise wisdom and discernment at the polls. In this regard, the online Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life is a well-researched resource for the upcoming elections. Please click on their logo, above, and visit their site periodically in the weeks to come as you prepare to enter the voting booth.

IFA Candidate Comparison

Intercessors for America has also prepared a thorough one-page comparison of the stands of both major candidates for President, which is available here as a PDF file for review and duplication.

SOHL Day of Prayer

Embracing Options will be hosting its 2nd Annual SOHL (Sanctity of Human Life) Day of Prayer on Friday, January 18th, from noon to 5 pm in our conference room at 350 Arnett Boulevard, Rochester, NY 14619. Light refreshments and coffee will be provided.

Invited: All Pro-Lifers in the Rochester area who either stand on the front lines daily against abortion or if you have a heart for the sanctity of human life. We ask Pastors to come pray with and over us to bless us for the upcoming year of this battle against abortion and its ravages on our community. Contact Sandi Clawson at: (525) 235-0690 if you'd like to attend or share a brief message of encouragement for all the staff and volunteers in the local pro-life community.