UCB Broadcast December 2006 
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.
SOR regulations brought forward in Northern Ireland
The Evangelical Alliance has expressed concern over the Government’s decision to fast-track the Sexual Orientation Regulations in Northern Ireland without adequate consultation.
The published Regulations have surprised many religious groups, not least by incorporating new provisions to outlaw harassment, which most lawyers agree could further restrict freedom of speech.
We would encourage supporters to contact their MP’s in a constructive way, highlighting their concerns about these proposals.
Although we commend the Government’s aspiration of seeking a fair balance between protecting both religious and homosexual people, a major challenge remains in that most religious traditions are deeply committed to beliefs that set the boundaries of sexual activity within heterosexual marriage.
Whether people agree with such religious perspectives or not, it is reasonable that, as a matter of conscience, they should not be forced by the law to endorse or promote behaviour that contradicts their religious beliefs.
We believe it is the Government’s task to ensure that one group’s equality does not become another’s inequality.
You can download the preamble and first chapter of the Evangelical Alliance’s response to the original consultation. Please pray that the Government will ensure that one group’s equality does not become another’s inequality.
HFEA
The Evangelical Alliance has responded to an Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority Consultation on Donating Eggs for Research and Safeguarding Donors.
The Evangelical Alliance believes that the HFEA must publicly demonstrate that its priority is to safeguard the interests of women together with their rights and welfare. The interests of scientists and researchers must come second. It is not appropriate or ethically acceptable for women to be offered money to donate their eggs with the supposed promise from the research world of future cures for difficult diseases.
The Evangelical Alliance recommended that the HFEA donates considerably more time to investigating the welfare of potential egg providers, to commissioning serious research and data collection to looking at the long term consequences and impact of egg harvesting on women and their children, and to involve Parliament directly before placing women at risk from such ethically controversial and unnecessary research.
Read the full response of the Evangelical Alliance to this HFEA consultation. Please pray that the HFEA will take ethical considerations like these fully into account before making far-reaching decisions.
Prayer for Parliament
Parliament rises for the Christmas break on Tuesday the 19th of December. The House of Commons and House of Lords return on Monday the 8th of January.
Please pray for MP’s and Peers as they take well earned holiday. Pray that Members of Parliament will be able to have some quality family time away from the pressures of Westminster. Pray that Christmas will be a restful and meaningful break away from the stresses of public life.
Trans-Saharan Charity Banger race
My final prayer point topic this year is actually about myself!
I and two of my friends are driving a dilapidated 30 year old SAAB from Plymouth to Banjul the capital of the Gambia leaving on Boxing Day this year. Our Team are raising 1000’s of pounds for Tearfund and Macmillan Cancer Support as part of the Plymouth to Banjul Charity banger race. If you would like to sponsor us or make a tax efficient donation, more information about this fantastic (and slightly insane) venture can be found at: www.sanddodgers.co.uk
Please pray for the 200 teams taking part in the rally, that they will be safe from unstable regimes, landmines, malaria, and any other exotic diseases during the 3 week race. Pray for energy and team spirit, that friendships will be strengthened not strained and that new friendships will be made during this 4000 mile adventure of a lifetime.
Please pray for the all the Charities that the various teams are raising money for. Give thanks for the excellent work that these charities are doing at home and abroad.
Further Prayer and Action
The Evangelical Alliance Public Affairs department produces a monthly parliamentary magazine, PQ, and a monthly ‘Prayer and Campaigns’ action and prayer sheet.
If you have any questions please e-mail 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.
