Abigail Skelton

In this new post-Roe era, Morning Star is committed to strengthening our outreach and support to women considering abortion. Through our new marketing initiative, Morning Star is reaching and providing appointments to more women who have never been to Morning Star before. Via our client services team, we are optimizing our impact and increasing our clinic hours—offering more ultrasound appointments than ever before!

Educating Our Clients

Morning Star counselors are a voice of comfort as they educate mothers on the importance of having an ultrasound. As a result of continued in-depth training, our counselors are equipped with the right conversation tools to assure women that Morning Star will provide the care, information and important medical services they need before they make an abortion decision. We only have one chance to educate a woman on the importance of gathering information before she makes a decision about her pregnancy.

Typically, our callers are panicked and upset. After speaking with our counselors, they understand their next logical step: scheduling an appointment to verify the pregnancy, confirm it is viable and find out how far along they are.

Sue, one of Morning Star’s counselors, started her day off with a phone call from a girl in tears. “Jenny” had just started a new job and found out she was pregnant. Her health insurance wouldn’t start for a few months and she didn’t think she could afford to have her baby unless she received support—both during and after her pregnancy.

Sue was able to calm Jenny and assure her that she had time; she didn’t have to make a decision immediately. Sue explained why it was important to schedule a medical pregnancy services appointment—including a no-cost ultrasound—at Morning Star. Sue also told Jenny she would be given information for other parenting support, including community referrals, Morning Star’s educational workshops and assistance with baby supplies. Jenny made an appointment that very day.

Give now to provide a voice of comfort to a woman like Jenny, who is alone and panicked when she calls Morning Star.

Advancing Our Ultrasound Program

Over the last months, Morning Star’s client outreach has had a huge impact and has led to new opportunities for growth. With an increasing number of new moms coming to Morning Star, we are advancing our ultrasound program to ensure that every new mom has the support she needs to choose Life.

We know that ultrasounds change minds… and 4D ultrasound machines have an even bigger influence on the decision a mom and dad are making, especially when they are convinced their baby is “just tissue” or a “clump of cells.” Thanks to fundraising efforts by the Knights of Columbus, Morning Star now has three new 4D ultrasound machines at our Harrisburg and Middletown clinics. On a 4D ultrasound, moms and dads can see a live video of their baby moving: stretching, sucking their thumb and closing their eyes. This fourth dimension further shows parents the reality of life growing within.

When we moved to our new Harrisburg clinic in 2020, we were excited to have a second ultrasound exam room that would allow us to grow into the future. The future is NOW. As of October 1, we are thrilled to announce that we have hired a third sonographer and are now running two ultrasound machines during most operating hours. That means that Morning Star can now provide an additional 38 ultrasound appointments each week. We need your help to provide this Life-saving medical care to every new parent who walks through our doors. To ensure that new parents like “Shayla” and “Dwayne” have a chance to see their baby.

Shayla hadn’t been dating Dwayne very long when she came to Morning Star with an unplanned pregnancy. During her counseling appointment, Shayla said she was willing to keep all her options open, but she had to have Dwayne’s full support if she was going to continue with the pregnancy. With the uncertainty of their relationship on her mind, Shayla was encouraged to bring him to her next appointment.

Dwayne came to Morning Star, though he was very unsure whether he wanted to be a father. However, when he saw his baby on the monitor during Shayla’s ultrasound exam, Dwayne was shocked that “it was a baby.” Later, staring at the ultrasound picture in his hands, Dwayne told the counselor that seeing his baby and the heartbeat had a tremendous impact on him. He felt they had to have this baby and he would do whatever was needed to support Shayla. As Dwayne was leaving Morning Star he turned to the counselor and said, “Thank you for all the things you do here.”

Your donation of $33.45 a month will provide care—including Life-saving ultrasounds—to a couple like Shayla and Dwayne.

Expanding Our Reach

Your support of our mission and ministry provided Shayla and Dwayne with the care they needed to choose Life for their baby. And we are counting on your support to continue to provide these Life-saving services to the increasing number of new clients coming through our doors.

By December 31, Morning Star must raise $146,500 to support the 365 new clients we expect to see by the end of this year. Morning Star’s marketing strategy for reaching women at risk for abortion in our community is working. Our continuous, in-depth training for counselors is equipping them with the right words to support and educate women considering abortion. Increasing our staff and ultrasound appointments ensures that we can see every woman who reaches out to us for help. In order to continue and expand this work, Morning Star’s annual budget needs to grow.

This Christmas, you can support couples like Shayla and Dwayne with a one-time gift of $401.37 or a monthly gift of $33.45. Or if you’re able, you can make a donation of $802.74 to help two women, like Jenny, who are alone and panicked when they call Morning Star.

Your tax-deductible donation ultimately provides the support a mother needs to have her baby. One mom told our counselor Briana, “I love being his mom. It’s the best thing that ever happened to me.” Every baby is a gift from God and you are a part of this miracle.

May God bless you and your family this Christmas season.

November 29 is #GivingTuesday—a global movement inspiring millions of people to come together to support the causes they believe in. On #GivingTuesday, we need your help to reach 30 new moms and provide them with

counseling,
an ultrasound by a registered diagnostic medical sonographer (RDMS),
STI testing by a registered nurse (RN),
baby supplies, and
educational classes.

By providing a woman considering abortion with these no-cost, Life-affirming services, she has the education and support she needs to choose Life for her baby.

It costs Morning Star $401.37 to reach and support one mom considering abortion. Our goal on #GivingTuesday is $12,041.10 to support 30 new moms—and save 30 lives!

Through Morning Star’s new marketing outreach, we are seeing an increase in new clients coming through our doors and are providing more pregnancy tests to women considering abortion. The stories below show how YOU are supporting the moms and babies who come to Morning Star.

Laura’s Story

“Laura” already had one abortion, with complications, and was considering a second abortion when she came to Morning Star. During her ultrasound examination, our sonographer determined she was nine weeks pregnant, and showed Laura a 4D image of her baby. Laura watched the movement of her baby, took in the details of her baby’s face and body, and began to cry. Laura was beside herself that she had aborted her first child, who had also been nine weeks old. She had not received an ultrasound with her first pregnancy and therefore had not seen the baby she was aborting.

Medical abortions (the abortion pill) accounted for over 16,349 abortions in Pennsylvania in 2020. The abortion industry wants women to believe that abortion is healthcare you can receive in the privacy of your own home. They have even gone so far as to actually mail abortion pills directly to women’s homes—without them ever having to see a doctor, ever having to have an ultrasound, ever having to ensure that there is danger of ectopic pregnancy.

Women desperate to find a solution to an unplanned pregnancy are in danger. Help us to reach, educate and support women like Laura—to save their hearts and the lives of their children. Donate Now

Libby’s Story

“Libby” was pregnant. Her parents and friends told her a baby would ruin her life at this stage. Libby’s boyfriend told her he’d pay for an abortion, but he wasn’t going to be a dad. Libby scheduled the abortion, but kept moving the appointment back. Not sleeping, filled with anxiety, Libby came to Morning Star for help.

Over the course of several weeks, Libby met with her counselor to talk through what parenting would look like for her and identified the support she would need. Libby also had an ultrasound at each appointment and saw her baby grow and develop. Week after week, Morning Star’s staff built a relationship with Libby and in the end—Libby decided to carry her baby!

2,582 babies were lost to abortion in our community in 2020. In the current political environment, it is vital for Morning Star to reach women at risk for abortion, women like Libby, and provide them with Life-affirming services—empowering them to choose Life for their babies. Donate Now

Amanda’s Story

“Amanda” hadn’t realized she was pregnant when she went through some health complications that required medical treatment. After finding out she was pregnant several weeks later, Amanda believed the treatments had affected her baby. She wanted an abortion because she felt she was not equipped to raise a child with special needs.

After scheduling her abortion, a friend recommended she go to Morning Star beforehand, to get a free ultrasound and talk to a counselor. During Amanda’s appointment, Morning Star’s sonographer was able to show and assure Amanda that her baby was healthy and fine! Amanda started crying when she realized how close she had come to aborting her baby if she had not come to Morning Star first.

Thanks to the Knights of Columbus, Morning Star received three new 4D ultrasound machines this fall. These machines provide a fourth dimension of time: a live video. Mothers and fathers are able to see their baby smile, wave and suck his thumb, and the 4D ultrasounds provide greater detail of the baby, so our medical team are able to detect malformations more easily.

It costs $401.37 to reach and support one mom. Can you help an “Amanda” and save her baby? Donate Now

Tia and Jordan’s Story

“Tia” and “Jordan” came to Morning Star because they wanted to confirm how far along Tia was in her pregnancy. They explained to our counselor that they had made up their minds—if the fetus didn’t have “things yet,” like arms and legs, they were getting an abortion.

At seven weeks pregnant, Tia and Jordan not only saw “things,” like tiny arms and legs, they also saw the heartbeat! Tia’s immediate response was “It’s a baby!” Jordan was equally astonished by the baby he was seeing at seven weeks. Thanks to an ultrasound, Tia and Jordan chose Life for their baby!

How do you save a baby and the heart of a mom considering abortion? Provide her with an ultrasound. Donate Now

Maven’s Story

“Maven” was pregnant. Her boyfriend was physically abusive. Maven came to Morning Star for help because she had no where else to turn and didn’t know what her next steps should be. Over the course of several appointments, our counselors helped her identify those people in her life that could support her as well as providing her with contacts and referrals to get her in a safe environment with the emotional support she needed. Morning Star was also able to enroll her in our educational classes and provide her with baby clothes, formula, diapers and sundries for after the baby was born.

With the support of several Morning Star counseling sessions, Maven was able to have her baby and provide a healthy environment for herself and her child. “What I loved so much about Morning Star’s counselors is that no one ever made me feel worthless.”

Through our new marketing outreach, Morning Star is reaching more women at risk for abortion. YOU can be there for moms like Maven who have nowhere else to turn. Donate Now

Charlene and Jeremy’s Story

“Jeremy” already had two full-grown children from a previous marriage. He and his new girlfriend, Charlene, were facing an unexpected pregnancy. Charlene wasn’t sure she wanted to be a mom at this stage of her life. Jeremy worked all the time and wasn’t around much. In addition, he had been very quiet since she told him the news, so she didn’t know what he was thinking.

Charlene and Jeremy decided to come to Morning Star to find out her options, including abortion and what that would entail. While Charlene was talking to a counselor, Jeremy had the opportunity to discuss his situation with his own counselor and Nurse Clinic Manager, Steve. Through the counseling session Jeremy divulged to Steve that he didn’t want Charlene to have an abortion, but felt it wasn’t his right to tell her what to do. Steve and Jeremy talked about what parenting would look like for the couple and the support he could give her. Jeremy was encouraged to talk with Charlene about his thoughts and feelings. Once Jeremy assured Charlene she was not alone in this situation, he would support her and their baby, Charlene chose Life for their little one!

85% of mothers who have an abortion say they would have chosen Life if the father supported them in their pregnancy. Your gift will help a father find his voice and support the mother of his child. Donate Now

Your gift of $401.37—just $33.45 a month—helps Morning Star reach, educate and support one woman searching for abortion.

Dear Morning Star Families,

There are times in our lives that we become more acutely aware of the spiritual battle that is taking place around us. Now is one of those times. In this post-Roe era, the reaction from our opposition has greatly intensified. We are faced with challenges that many of us never anticipated.

In April, our online business listing, Google My Business (GMB), removed Morning Star’s three clinic locations from their search engines. After weeks of our team trying to reinstate all of our locations, GMB slowly restored first our Middletown location and then our Harrisburg location. It wasn’t until September that our New Cumberland office was once again publicly listed. Even though our locations are now showing on GMB, we are still battling the description they have placed underneath Morning Star’s name—they are not allowing us to be categorized as a medical clinic.

Yelp has even resorted to labeling us as a fake clinic which may not have any licensed medical staff. Yelp has a consumer notice on pregnancy centers’ business profiles, including Morning Star’s:

Consumer Notice
This is a Crisis Pregnancy Center. Crisis Pregnancy Centers typically provide limited medical services and may not have licensed medical professionals onsite.

You can imagine our outrage: Morning Star is a medical clinic with licensed medical professionals. Our medical director, Dr. Mary Elizabeth Higgins, OB-GYN, oversees our medical staff. Our radiologists read our ultrasound scans, our registered diagnostic medical sonographers (RDMS) provide the ultrasound exams, and our nurses counsel and provide medical services, including STI testing and treatment. Yet we have no power to set the record straight with these big internet conglomerates!

Women desperately need the medical services that Morning Star provides—services they won’t get at Planned Parenthood or any abortion clinic. In Pennsylvania, there is no legal requirement for an ultrasound prior to an abortion. Currently, an ultrasound is the prerogative of the abortion provider.

However, the medical community and the FDA acknowledge that an ultrasound is necessary to accurately date a pregnancy, to diagnose viability and to identify the risk of ectopic pregnancy.

In August, Facebook removed Heartbeat International’s Abortion Pill Reversal Network account. Women did not have access to information on this powerful social media site about abortion pill reversal (APR), although this was later restored. Morning Star is part of the Heartbeat International APR Network. Women are referred to Morning Star when they have taken the first abortion pill and want to reverse the process and save their baby.

With the current political environment and the ever-changing algorithms of search engines, the game has changed for pregnancy centers. To just maintain the status quo we have to do more. That’s why we need YOUR help to continue to reach the women searching for abortion.

DONATE NOW TO HELP REACH WOMEN SEARCHING FOR ABORTION!

Google, Planned Parenthood and even some in our government are trying to cripple pregnancy centers across the country. Morning Star does not have the multi-million-dollar budget of Planned Parenthood to reach women facing unplanned pregnancies. In this environment, it is vital to reach them through a new, ambitious digital marketing strategy.With the expertise of an outside media agency, Morning Star’s social media initiative is reaching abortion-minded women, ages 18-24, through Instagram, Snapchat and Facebook. Our advertisements are appearing on their phones based on their website and app usage, their keyword searches, as well as their geographic location. And Morning Star ads are now appearing at the top of the search engine results pages.

In July, we kicked off this advertising strategy and are already seeing an uptick in our client statistics. Comparing the month of August 2022 to pre-COVID numbers in August 2019, Morning Star saw an increase of 42 new clients come through our doors and provided 25 more pregnancy tests to women who were considering an abortion!

This year, as of mid-September, we have seen 859 new clients—clients who have never been to Morning Star. By the end of the calendar year, our goal is to reach and support 365 more new clients, bringing us to our pre-COVID statistics. The cost to reach these clients and provide them with Life-affirming services is $146,500.

YOUR gift of $401.37 will help us support one new client through our new marketing initiative and provide her with options counseling, an ultrasound, STI testing, baby supplies and educational classes.

Perhaps this fall, you can help us reach two new clients with a donation of $802.74. Or maybe you can partner with us to reach three new clients with a donation of $1,204.11.

Last year, thanks to YOUR support, 523 moms chose Life for their babies. This year, as of September 30, 451 women have chosen Life. Help us to reach, educate and support women searching for abortion—to save even more hearts and lives in 2022.

God bless you for your unwavering support of Life.

31,018.

That is the number of babies’ lives lost to abortion in Pennsylvania in 2019.*

In our community, that is 2,007 babies lost to abortion in 2019.

Changed hearts and changed minds…

When “Lizzie” and “Anthony” entered Morning Star’s doors, they had already made the decision that if the ultrasound confirmed Lizzie was ten weeks pregnant or less, she would use the abortion pill (RU-486) to end her pregnancy.

After checking in at the reception area, Lizzie and Anthony were brought into a counseling room to talk with a patient advocate about their situation. They were very upfront with their Morning Star counselor and said the decision was already made—Lizzie would take the abortion pill if she was ten weeks pregnant or less. If she was further along in her pregnancy and it was too late to take the abortion pill, they were not sure what they were going to do.

Our counselor educated the couple about chemical abortion and the possible risks and complications for Lizzie. She asked if they had any family support, how their relationship was going under the stress of an unplanned pregnancy, and what obstacles they were facing that might keep them from continuing with the pregnancy. She then opened the discussion to other options, including parenting and adoption.

After wrapping up their counseling session, Lizzie and Anthony went into the examination room for their ultrasound. The young couple repeated their intent yet again: If the baby was ten weeks or less, they were having an abortion.

When Lizzie and Anthony saw their baby’s beating heart, their faces changed. As Morning Star’s sonographer explained the development of their baby and pointed out his little arms and legs, the baby began to move. The ultrasound revealed that the baby was seven weeks old. Lizzie was shocked to see the little life growing inside her. Even though the baby was less than ten weeks old, Anthony and Lizzie agreed that they could not proceed with an abortion. At that moment, they chose LIFE for their baby.

As Morning Star is approaching our 50^th anniversary, we have established deep roots in our community. We have built relationships with our mothers and fathers, and we know how vital it is to provide programs and services so that couples like Lizzie and Anthony will choose Life.

Each day, with YOUR support, Morning Star provides:

Confidential Counseling
Pregnancy Testing
Ultrasound Examinations
STI Testing and Treatment
Pregnancy Education
Fatherhood Program
Relationship and Sexual Health Education
Parenting Education Classes
Baby Clothing and Supplies
Post Abortion Recovery Classes

As we’ve proven over the years, our doors always remain open and we continue to see an increase in the number of clients we serve. In fact, looking at our client history, we anticipate seeing at least 224 new clients this holiday season. By the end of this year, Morning Star will have supported over 1,450 individuals—a 20% increase from 2020! It costs Morning Star $447.49 to provide a new mom like Lizzie with Life-affirming services and programs. In order to support these 224 moms and dads we have to reach a goal of $100,237.76 by the end of this year.

This Christmas you can support individuals and couples like Lizzie and Anthony with a one-time gift of $447.49 or you can become a Circle of Friends supporter with a monthly gift of $37.29. Your donation will give the support they need to choose Life, helping reduce the lives lost to abortion in South Central PA.

At Morning Star we see our open doors touch lives and hearts. We see women and men in the midst of crisis experience joy and gratitude after choosing Life. And here, we see the incredible power of Jesus Christ to actually change lives.

YOU are a part of their story. YOUR gift makes that choice possible.

^{*PA Dept of Health’s 2019 Abortion Statistics Report}

#GivingTuesday is November 30!

Your gift provides the health services and programs a mom needs to choose Life. By partnering with Morning Star on #GivingTuesday, you can help us reach our goal of $13,424.70 to support 30 of the 224 new moms we anticipate seeing this holiday season!

What better gift is there this holiday season than the Gift of Life? #GiveHope.

The stories below show how YOU help Morning Star support the moms who come through our doors. So they are not overwhelmed. So they do not feel alone. So they know there are resources and services to help them find a way to have their babies… to make a choice for Life.

“Natalie” is pregnant. She is dealing with severe anxiety and panic attacks. She is in a domestic-violence situation with the father of her baby. She is dependent on her boyfriend because she can’t hold onto a steady job due to other mental illnesses.

Natalie feels alone. She sees no way out of her situation and feels she cannot have her baby.

Natalie came to Morning Star and received a confidential counseling appointment. Our patient advocate immediately identified and discussed the obstacles Natalie faced that prevented her from having her baby. Our counselor was able to provide referrals for both domestic violence and mental health counseling, alternative housing options, and techniques to help with her anxiety.

The counselor discussed the development of her baby as her pregnancy progressed and the option of adoption, as well as parenting. Morning Star counselors continued to check in with Natalie to make sure she was safe and to provide additional counseling. After several weeks of talking with our counselors, Natalie took advantage of the additional community resources she needed to help with the mental challenges she faced and her abusive living situation.

Finding the help she needed, Natalie felt she was #NotAlone…and chose Life for her baby.

Together, we can make sure moms like Natalie are not alone. Your gift will provide her with the health services and programs she needs to choose Life.

“Rene” is in her twenties. She has two young children from two previous relationships. Both fathers are in jail. She has minimal family support. Rene is now facing another unplanned pregnancy with a different man. Rene is strongly considering abortion. Her relationship with the father of the baby is non-existent. She feels she can’t parent three young children by herself. She doesn’t think she can afford three kids.

Rene is overwhelmed and she feels alone.

After discussing her situation with a Morning Star counselor, Rene was taken into the ultrasound and examination room. As she lay quietly on the table and looked at the image of her baby on the screen, our sonographer explained the development that had already taken place. Rene was 12 weeks pregnant and her baby’s fingerprints had begun to form, the baby was “practicing” breathing and facial expressions, and he was able to swallow and feel and respond to skin stimulation.

Rene returned to the counseling room and told her counselor that seeing her baby “completely changed her mind 100%.” Rene was #NotAlone…and she chose Life!

Your support provides the ultrasounds that change the minds and save the hearts of so many moms like Rene.

“Missy” faces an unplanned pregnancy as a teenager. Her parents kicked her out of their house and she is living with a friend. Even if she keeps her baby, she has no idea how to care for one. She feels her best option is to have an abortion.

Missy feels alone.

Missy came to Morning Star for a medical pregnancy services appointment. Morning Star confirmed her pregnancy, gave her an STI test, and provided her with an ultrasound. Missy expressed her fears that she had no idea how to care for a baby. Morning Star counselors educated Missy on her pregnancy and offered parenting education classes.

Missy attended our Safe Sleep Class to learn how to safely put her baby to sleep. During the class, another mom shared that she had lost a child to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). She urged all of the moms to listen and learn from the class. Missy was grateful for the education and received a brand new Pack ‘n Play so she had a safe place for her baby to sleep. The class also gave her an opportunity to bond with the other moms as they shared stories of parenting.

Missy was supported throughout her pregnancy with the education she desperately needed. Missy felt she was #NotAlone and could parent her baby…and Missy chose Life!

Your gift ensures moms like Missy are #NotAlone.

“Trish” has a two-year-old. She has no family to speak of. She is living with the father of the baby. It is an abusive relationship. She worries that she won’t be able to clothe and feed her child if she leaves.

Trish feels scared and alone.

Trish first came to Morning Star because she faced an unplanned pregnancy and was considering abortion. She received Morning Star’s medical and counseling services at that time, and ultimately chose Life for her baby.

During those appointments, Trish received agency referrals for domestic abuse situations. She also learned that Morning Star provided materials assistance to parents in need, including baby clothing, blankets, and supplies like formula, diapers, shampoo and baby wash. When Trish decided to take the next step and remove herself and her baby from the abusive situation, she knew which agencies to reach out to.

And, even though it was over two years since she had been to Morning Star, Trish knew she could come for the baby clothing and supplies she would desperately need. Trish felt she was #NotAlone. She and her child would be OK.

Trish chose Life with your support. And with your help again, Trish and her baby were supported with materials assistance as she moved forward to create a better life for herself and her baby.

“Dana” just began her career. She’s been dating “Alex” for a little over a year. They live separately and they both have big career dreams. Dana is pregnant and the only thing Alex will tell her is, “I support you in whatever you decide.”

Dana thinks she can’t have this baby on her own and she will have to sacrifice her career dreams.

Dana feels alone.

Dana and Alex came to Morning Star for a medical pregnancy services appointment. While Dana was speaking with a counselor, Steve, Morning Star’s Nurse Clinic Manager and head of the Fatherhood Program, sat down separately to talk with Alex.

They discussed Alex’s career and his goals in life, finances, how a baby would impact those things, and his relationship with Dana. As the discussion progressed, Alex said he would rather Dana have the baby, but he didn’t know what to do for her and ultimately it was her choice. Steve explained how crucial it was for Dana to know Alex supports her in having their child. He gave Alex specific strategies on how to support Dana both physically and emotionally, and encouraged Alex to talk with Dana so she wouldn’t feel alone in this decision.

After speaking with Steve, Alex sat with Dana and told her that he would support her in having their baby—she didn’t have to do it by herself, they would figure it out together. Dana felt relieved and felt she was #NotAlone. Dana chose Life for their baby!

Your support provides the programs Dana and Alex need to empower them to choose Life.

You Are a Part of This Miracle