Situated on the 2500 block of North Front Street with a commanding view of the Susquehanna River, Morning Star Pregnancy Services is strategically located in Uptown Harrisburg, just four blocks away from the Governor’s Mansion and two miles away from the State Capitol. I met Stephanie Diecidue, Director of Advancement, and saw first-hand what this organization does for the unborn and their moms. Every aspect of this medical facility feels intentionally designed to make their clients feel safe, cared for, and welcomed without judgment. Read those last three words again.
Morning Star has been in our community for 53 years providing Life-affirming support to moms facing unplanned pregnancies.
“For all to make courageous, life-giving choices.” That’s their vision statement. And they’re going about it the right way. Trained patient advocates carefully guide each client that walks through their doors through their pregnancy appointment with compassion, as their staff and medical team provide options counseling, pregnancy testing, ultrasounds, STD testing and treatment, and support services after their babies are born, because…
There is no way to sugar-coat it: most clients that come to Morning Star are carrying babies they did not plan for and may not want. Patient advocates are providing these mothers with information on all three options:
1. Parenting,
2. Placing their baby for adoption, or
3. Abortion
It is important to note that this faith-based pregnancy clinic does not provide abortions, nor will they refer women to a facility that does. They simply lay out the facts. At an initial pregnancy appointment, nearly every mother receives an ultrasound. Morning Star’s Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (RDMS) provide these ultrasounds to date the pregnancy, make sure it’s not ectopic, and to verify the pregnancy is viable. This is also an opportunity for the mom (and dad) to see the development of their baby and have the opportunity to bond with their baby. In 2024, Morning Star’s three RDMSs provided 1,119 ultrasounds. The result? 511 moms at risk for abortion chose to keep their babies! That’s a tenth of the population of Hummelstown and past the maximum legal capacity of Living Water’s worship room.
Morning Star's three sonographers: Ann, Lori and Chas, provided 1,119 ultrasounds in 2024.
And it doesn’t end at the ultrasound. If a mom chooses to keep her baby, Morning Star’s patient advocates will provide her with the community resources (other non-profits or government agencies) she needs to be supported during and after pregnancy, given her specific situation. In addition, Morning Star will provide family support services, including nine-week parenting classes for moms and dads as well as baby clothing and supplies.
All of Morning Star’s services are free of cost. Morning Star is licensed in the state of Pennsylvania under their medical director, Dr. Mary Elizabeth Higgins. RDMSs provide all of the ultrasounds, radiologists read all of the ultrasound scans, and they have registered nurses on staff, giving Morning Star the distinction of being a medical clinic.
In addition to medical pregnancy services and STD health services, Morning Star offers other valuable programs, including Unfiltered Truth and Surrendering the Secret.
Morning Star provides parenting classes for moms and dads after their babies are born so families can thrive.
Unfiltered Truth
Unfiltered Truth is a sexual risk avoidance curriculum that provides education to our teen population in our local public and private middle and high schools. Through this program, which aligns with PA Standards of Health Education, trained Morning Star educators “empower our youth to avoid high-risk behaviors and develop healthy relationships that set them up for a successful future.”
In 2024, this program reached 2,744 students, empowering them with the knowledge they need to make healthy choices for their minds and bodies. If you would like to learn more about this program, you can contact Leslie Moyer, Director of Educational Programs at lmoyer@unfiltered-truth.com or check out www.Unfiltered-Truth.com.
Surrendering the Secret
Surrendering the Secret is a post-abortion support program that offers confidential help for individuals suffering from the effects of a past abortion. The Surrendering the Secret Bible study enables women to release this burden and find healing through an interactive study of God’s Word. To learn more about this program, you can contact STS@morningstarclinics.com or call 717-403-6330.
Funding
Morning Star provides all of its services at no cost.
In 2024, Governor Josh Shapiro defunded a Bob Casey-era implemented Real Alternatives program which administered state funding to pregnancy centers and other Pro-Life organizations. This act of Governor Shapiro’s pen created an immediate $100,000 shortfall in Morning Star’s annual budget. Morning Star now totally relies on the financial support of individual donors and churches across the region like Living Water.
So, how can you help?
1. Join Circle of Friends. Circle of Friends is a group of individuals that provide donations to Morning Star on a monthly basis. By being a monthly giver, you allow Morning Star to continue to provide all of the services I’ve mentioned for free. With your membership, you also receive their exclusive Inner Circle newsletter, distributed in the spring and fall, which provides an inside look at the current activities at Morning Star.
2. Start a Baby Bottle Blessings Campaign at your church. Congregation members can take a baby bottle home and fill it with coins, cash or checks, then return it within a designated number of weeks, which is a great way to get the entire family involved! This financial campaign generates about $100,000 a year for Morning Star through all of their supporting churches.
3. Participate in the Shooting Star 5K run and Walk for Life. Start a team, or join an existing one (a shout out to Wendy Barkus, who led Living Water’s 2024 team!) This fun family event takes place at City Island and generated $128,000 last year.
4. Attend the annual Life Saving Banquet, Morning Star’s biggest fundraising event of the year. Held on May 1, 2025, attendees will receive a ministry update, listen to client testimonials and hear keynote speaker Jill Stanek.
Prayers and the Gift of Service
One of the first things Stephanie mentioned before I barely sat down was the importance of prayer. As you read through this blog, present before the Lord whatever comes to mind. This is one of the easiest and most impactful ways to support Morning Star. The answer to those prayers is the 511 babies that were saved and the hearts of those 511 mothers who chose life.
Morning Star has an organized volunteer program that could tap into one of your spiritual gifts. There is a need for patient advocates, medical volunteers, office support and other areas. If you feel led to help in any of these areas, please check out the website below.
Morning Star provided 2,842 client visits last year. Morning Star provided 5,421 baby clothing and supplies to families who needed help last year.
My Final Thoughts.
In a world where every moral issue and point of debate has been divided by a political party, Morning Star asks our community, “Don’t we want every mother to feel supported in their pregnancy?” Morning Star’s services are doing just that in a loving, compassionate way, ensuring these women are not alone and are empowered to choose Life for their babies.
What can we do, as an individual and as a church body, to support these brave men and women in the trenches?
The Website
Thank you Janet for highlighting this important ministry.