.png)
It takes a Village
Church Village Network
When someone is facing an unexpected pregnancy or another difficult reproductive experience, they may not know where to turn. Fear of judgment, shame, uncertainty, or simply not knowing what resources are available can cause people to carry difficult circumstances alone or feel like circumstances have made the decision for them.
The Church Village Network brings churches and Options together to build a stronger village of support, so that when someone needs help, we can walk alongside them together.
Why a Church Village?
People don't experience unexpected pregnancy in isolation. Their circumstances may involve relationships, family, finances, faith, work, school, parenting, mental and emotional wellbeing, and questions about the future.
And while Options can provide specialized support and resources, we can't be someone's whole village. That's where the church comes in. A church can offer something deeply important: relationship and belonging.
It can be the place where someone knows they can come honestly, ask for help, receive prayer, find practical support, and continue to be part of a community.
When we work together, there is a stronger network of support around the person—not just one organization trying to meet every need.
Your church’s starting point.
When a church community joins our village of support, we’ll offer a training time for their appointed Point Person.The Point Person is the bridge between your church and Options. They don’t need to be an expert—they just need to know where to turn.
Through the orientation, they’ll learn:
-
Who Options is and how we support people
-
What programs and resources are available
-
How to connect someone with Options when they need support
-
How to share Options resources and opportunities with their church
-
How to stay connected and build the village together
Each Point Person will be who we communicate all essential services and updates with. They will be invited to join our internal communications for volunteers.
Women and Men in Our Churches Are Already Living This Story
Unexpected pregnancy and abortion are not issues happening somewhere “out there.” They are already part of our churches, our families and our communities. Roughly one in three women in Canada will have an abortion in her lifetime and nearly half of pregnancies in Canada are unplanned. This means women in our congregations have experienced abortion, may face an unexpected pregnancy, or may be quietly carrying a story they have never felt safe enough to share.
These can be difficult conversations. There is a complicated history between the church and women's reproductive lives, and many people carry experiences of shame or judgment.There is also a history of pregnancy centres that has contributed to mistrust. We recognize that reality, and we want to move forward by building trust through transparency, listening and practical support.
We believe churches have an important role to play in creating a culture where every woman facing an unexpected pregnancy knows: my church will welcome me, walk with me and help me. That can change how someone experiences a pregnancy decision.
Women do not choose abortion lightly. Sometimes a woman may want to continue her pregnancy but cannot see how parenting could be possible given her circumstances.
Knowing that there is a village around her—a church community willing to offer friendship, practical help, meals, childcare, baby supplies or financial support—can help her see possibilities that felt out of reach.
For some, it may make parenting or placing a child for adoption feel possible.
And for women who choose abortion, that same welcome matters. We can hold our convictions about the sanctity of life while continuing to offer love, gentleness and belonging. Her story does not disqualify her from the church.
The church can also be a place where she finds space to process her experience and, when needed, pursue healing.
We also want to remember the men. An unexpected pregnancy affects more than one person, and men can carry their own fear, grief, responsibility and uncertainty. Supporting them well is part of supporting the families around them.
This is the work we want to do together through the Church Village Network: connecting the resources and experience of Options with the people, relationships and practical support already present in local churches. And that support doesn't end with a pregnancy decision. We want to see churches become places where families can continue to find community and support as they navigate parenting and the years that follow.