UCB Broadcast - December 2005
Hello and welcome to the Parliamentary prayer update, my name is Gareth Wallace and I work in Westminster for the Evangelical Alliance Public Affairs Department.
Alive and KickingGianna Jessen's mother was seven-and-a-half months pregnant when it was decided to abort the foetus she was carrying. A saline solution was injected into Gianna's mother's womb, which doctors thought would kill the foetus within hours. This time, most unusually, the procedure failed and Gianna was born alive.
On Tuesday 6 December Gianna delivered her powerful testimony at an event organised by the Alive and kicking Campaign group.
Gianna said "The saline solution injected into the mother is to burn the baby, which gulps it in the womb," she said. “But after being literally burned alive for 18 hours I was delivered live.”
Understandably Gianna now campaigns against abortion, She is in London this week to lend her voice to the anti-abortion group 'Alive and Kicking,' who are campaigning to encourage reform of the Abortion Act aimed at reducing the annual number of abortions.
The Evangelical Alliance, CARE, the Lawyers Christian Fellowship and the Pro-life Alliance are a number of the many organisations and charities who have signed up to the Alive and Kicking Campaign.
The initial objectives of Alive and Kicking are:
1. To halve yearly abortions by reducing the upper limit
2. To eliminate discriminatory abortion on the grounds of disability
Please visit the alive and kicking website at www.aliveandkickingcampaign.org
International Development Event
Thank you for your prayers regarding the International Development meeting with Gareth Thomas MP international development Minister of State. The Minister had specially requested an opportunity to dialogue with Evangelical Christians on issues of international justice and disaster relief.
This fantastic opportunity for those passionate about international relief and development issues was grasped by around a dozen Christian Charities who attended the event in Canterbury Baptist Church on Tuesday 13th December.
This event was organised by the Evangelical Alliance in conjunction with Global Connections, Tearfund and Speak.
Peter Grant, International Director of Tearfund was one of the panellists, along with Julia Wensley Campaign Co-ordinator for Micah Challenge UK and Ben Gilchrist a Director of the SPEAK campaigning network.
Please give thanks that the event went so well and gave such a good opportunity to demonstrate what Evangelical Christians are doing to assist those who are less fortunate in the world. There where more than half a dozen information stands highlighting to the Minister the breadth and Quality of work carried out by Christian aid and development organisations.
Pray that this event will lead to closer co-operation and understanding between Christian Development and Aid organisations and the Department for international development as we all seek to serve those who are suffering in the world.
Pray for wisdom as we look towards suitable follow up work future events that will raise awareness of the less developed world’s many needs and the part we can all play in seeking solutions and taking action.
CARE not KillingAnother coalition campaign groups that has recently been formed held its first meeting on the same day as the International Development Event in Canterbury. Care not Killing has been set up in response to Lord Joffe’s Assisted Dying for the Terminally Ill Bill. The meeting was well attended and included a wide cross section of groups opposed to the legislative moves to make Doctor assisted Suicide legal in this country.
Please check the Evangelical Alliance website for further updates in the New Year. The Christian Medical Fellowship has comprehensive briefing material on this issue. Their website address is www.cmf.org.uk
Please pray that the in Public and Parliamentary debates around this Bill the problems and difficulties inherent in Euthanasia will be made apparent both to the British public and to politicians.
Pray that the debate will be fair and that CARE not Killing will be successful in opposing this legislation.
Racial and Religious Hatred BillThere have been some recent developments in the Racial and Religious Hatred Bill.
The House of Lords Third Reading debate on the Racial and Religious Hatred Bill has been postponed until the New Year. It had been scheduled to take place on the 19th December.
Attempts at a deal are still being worked on, but it is obvious that the various Parties front bench teams have yet to reach agreement.
We would ask people to encourage the Liberal Democrat and Conservatives front bench to stand firm on the concessions that have been won.
Please keep checking out website in January for further updates on this important issue.
MPs Over ChristmasParliament rose for the Christmas Break on Tuesday the 20th of December.
Please pray that MP’s and Peers will have an opportunity to get a genuine break from the stresses and strains of Westminster and will be able to come back refreshed and ready for work in the New Year.
Further Prayer and ActionFor further insights on these and other issues The Evangelical Alliance Public Affairs department produces a monthly parliamentary magazine, PQ, and a monthly ‘Prayer and Campaigns’ action and prayer sheet. Both of these are available on at www.eauk.org along with topical political briefing material. If you have any questions please e-mail the public affairs team at mailto:pub-aff@eauk.org.
On behalf of all of us working in the Public affairs team at the Evangelical Alliance may I wish you all a very restful Christmas and a Happy New Year. Thank you.
