By Steve Steiner

Managing editor

ssteiner@elkintribune.com

As trite an expression as it may be, the adage of Christians having the faith of a mustard seed was appropriate Monday as at least two-to-three (if not more) area churches participated in the Red Envelope Project; an exercise conducted nationwide as well as internationally.

The project consisted of people filling out the back of red-colored envelopes, writing:

“This envelope represents one child who died in abortion. It is empty because that life was unable to offer anything to the world. Responsibility begins with conception.”

The envelopes would then be addressed to President Obama.

At Elkin Valley Baptist Church, several tables set up in one of the fellowship hall rooms were filled with people — mostly women — busy writing that message. At one table sat Rita Mounce and Rita Hall, both of Elkin, and Joy McCoy of Hamptonville. The three of them had been at their task since 9 a.m. McCoy, said one of the two Ritas, had developed a blister from all her writing.

“There are 500 envelopes in each box,” said McCoy. “We’re on our third box.”

However, the women were far from finished.

“We have 1,500 more to do,” said Mounce.

Participating in this project was very important, the women agreed.

“I think it’s time we take a stand as Christian people,” McCoy said. “Our tax money is being used for things we consider inappropriate.”

At another table sat four members of the Underwood family, from Jonesville: Tammy Underwood and her children, Samuel, 15, Destiny, 16, and Grace, 5.

For the two older Underwood children, participating had a particular significance.

“About a month ago, our youth pastor did a study on abortion and adoption and why adoption is so much better,” said 16-year-old Destiny Underwood.

According to the mother, the Red Envelope Project was not the only effort the Underwoods have made in their stance against abortion.

“We participate in 40 Days for Life,” said Tammy Underwood. “We go to abortion clinics, hold signs and pray that the girls (going to the abortiion clinics) will change their minds. Sometimes, they do.”

Just as they said the 40 Days for Life had stopped some abortions, there was no doubt in their hearts and minds that the Red Envelope Project would be effective.

“It won’t fall on deaf ears,” said Tammy Underwood. “There will be people who will read this.”

The Underwoods said they planned on staying and writing until the last of the envelopes were completed. Their husband and father, Tammy Underwood said, would be joining them as soon as he got off from work.

Also signing envelopes after she had gotten off from work was Helen Bryant, who sat at the same table as the Underwoods. Bryant, who attends Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church and works at Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church, had hurried to Elkin Valley Baptist Church to participate; it was the third church she had showed up at to sign envelopes.

“I don’t believe the majority of people in this country are for abortions,” she said. “the people have to stand up and make their voice continuous.”

Several people referred to Lifeline Pregnancy Counseling, a 501 (C) (3) faith-based service with an office in Elkin, as a factor in their decision to participate.

“I was not aware of the percentage of abortions done (by those who live) in the tri-county, about 10 percent” said McCoy.

The tri-county region she referred to consisted of Wilkes, Surry and Yadkin counties.

Although the agency itself was not involved, it was aware of the project

“We’re not an organization that gets involved with anything political,” said executive director Sharon Kelly. “However, it (the project) is a good idea.”

On Tuesday, Aggie Stevenson, who was one of the people who spearheaded the project at Elkin Valley Baptist, was more than satisfied.

“I was absolutely pleased at the way it went,” she said. “We started at 9 a.m and stopped at 9 p.m.”

There were also surprises — good ones — she hadn’t counted on happening.

At the start, they had begun with about $300 in stamps. As the day progressed, Stevenson said, people would come in with more stamps, or they would leave money in a bowl; every so often, someone would take the money and buy more stamps.

“It was like the story about the widow’s oil, it never ran out,” said Stevenson.

Another surprise also involved numbers.

“We were concerned at first we would not have enough people to sign envelopes,” she said. “After we saw the number of people who signed up, we wondered whether we would have enough envelopes for people to address.”

The answer turned out to be yes on both counts, thanks in good measure by Kathie McDaniels of Graphics Printing, 1544 N. Bridge St., who donated thousands of envelopes, according to an employee of the firm.

A third and final surprise — more of a blessing as far as Stevenson was concerned — was the dedication of the volunteers.

“We were supposed to stop at 8 p.m., but when that time arrived, no one left,:” she said. “Everyone stayed until 9 p.m., when we finished addressing the last envelopes.”

About the Red

Envelope Project

Christ Otto (whose first name is pronounced with the “short I sound,” as in Chris), has been involved for nearly 20 years in the ministry. The idea came to him while he was praying, as a way to protest President Obama’s pro-abortion policies. It began as an email request to 120 of his ministry friends and supporters. In turn, his friends and supporters sent it to their friends.

To learn more, visit: www.redenvelope.org

Editor’s note: Phone calls to Sharon Dooley, director of development at Planned Parenthood in Winston-Salem, were not returned.