Marriage prayer gathering in Westminster - TODAY

Do you live in or near London and believe in real marriage? If you do then please join a prayer gathering outside Parliament today (15th Febuary) to pray and stand for real marriage as between a man and a woman. 

It's important for our politicians to see people actively supporting marriage. Please be there if you can.

Date: TODAY (15th February) 
Time: 5.30-7.30pm
Location: Westminster, Old Palace Yard (opposite Houses of Parliament)
Nearest tube station: Westminster 

Visit the facebook event page >

Christian to stand in Eastleigh by-election

Listen to Danny on BBC Radio Solent (4m 17s) >

Conservative candidate Maria Hutchings

Local Christian Danny Stupple announced this week that he is standing in the Eastleigh by-election.

He has launched a campaign with a strong emphasis on authentic marriage. In a press release he said: 

“I think a lot of people feel let down, not only by our former local MP but by the whole political system. The complete disregard for proper process in the redefinition of marriage vote is indicative of the contempt for ordinary voters. Something as profound as marriage requires far more care than Mr Cameron or his Government have shown it.

“It’s time for honesty and integrity to be restored to politics. I’m asking people to back real democracy by backing me. Real democracy is about representing the people who vote for you, not toeing the party line and certainly not forcing through legislation without any mandate”.

Listen to a BBC local radio interview with Danny >

The Conservative candidate Maria Hutchings is also a strong marriage supporter and strongly pro-life.

The people of Eastleigh will go to the ballot box on 28th February.

Please pray for the election result - that it would send a message to the Prime Minister that people care about marriage and are disappointed by the way in which he is attempting to redefine it without any mandate.

Get the latest information to help you pray for Parliament

Christian Concern report on Prayer for Parliament gathering (3m 1s) >

Visit the Prayer for Parliament website >

According to 1 Timothy 2:1-4, the Bible says we should pray for those in Authority that we might live peacefully. The two go together. Without the power of prayer, the nation will not know true peace.

To help you do this, Prayer for Parliament has launched a new website packed with useful information and resources to help you pray effectively. On the website you can sign up to receive 'The Prayer Shield' email - it gives vital information on issues being debated in Parliament.

Visit the Prayer for Parliament website >

Jeffrey Donaldson, MP for Lagan Valley and a committed Christian, is Chairman of the initiative. Please show your support by signing up for The Prayer Shield.

Our reporter Peter Wooding has produced a short report on the Prayer for Parliament gathering held on Wednesday (13th February). Watch it here >

CofE warning: Same sex 'marriage' will threaten religious freedom

CofE Secretary General William Fittall

Make a submission to the Public Bill Committee >

Contact your MP >

Contact the Prime Minister >

The Church of England’s most senior official has warned that teachers and “people of faith” could face legal challenges if the Government’s same-sex ‘marriage’ Bill is pushed through.

William Fittall, secretary-general of the General Synod, made the comments whilst giving evidence to the Public Bill Committee in the House of Commons which is currently scrutinising the Government’s Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill. 

Read more >

You can also contribute at this stage of the Bill's progress...

The Bill is currently at the committee stage in the House of Commons. This is where a committee of MPs hears evidence and considers the details of the Bill. This stage should be complete by 12th March.

You can send a written submission to the Committee outlining your concerns with the Bill. Details here >

Contact your MP

Please take a look to see how your MP voted on the Bill in the House of Commons last week. Click here to see the list (if you don't know who your MP is, click here to find out).

• If they voted against the Same Sex Marriage Bill, please thank them for doing so.
• If they voted for it, please let them know how disappointed you are and whether they have now lost your vote. 
• To contact your MP, search for them here and then click on their name to see contact details.

A number of MPs and commentators have said that this issue will be quickly forgotten. It's important that you keep contacting your MP where appropriate to highlight the importance of marriage.

Contact the Prime Minister

Even though David Cameron has been at the forefront of the effort to redefine marriage, he failed to attend last week's debate. It is astounding that he should be absent for such a significant Bill.

Please write to the Prime Minister to express your disappointment at his failure to attend the debate. You can send an email here or send a letter to: 10 Downing Street, London, SW1A 2AA.

Lords may block same sex 'marriage' Bill

In order for the Government's Bill to become law, it must be approved by both the House of Lords and the House of Commons.

According to The Telegraph this week, half of Conservative peers and dozens of Labour and Liberal Democrat peers are expected to vote against the Bill, potentially blocking the legislation.  

Find out more > 

The Bill still needs to go through a few more stages before it gets to the House of Lords. Here is how it is expected to progress:

• The Bill has entered the committee stage which is expected to be complete by 12th March, ready for the report stage. This will be followed by a third reading in the Commons.
• The Bill will then go to the House of Lords where it will be further debated and amended. 
• After this, the amended Bill will be sent back to the Commons for it to consider the Lords' amendments. It may ping pong back between the Commons and the Lords until both Houses agree to its terms.  
• The Government may eventually wish to use the Parliament Act to force the Bill through, although this is only considered appropriate where there is some form of electoral mandate – e.g. when the proposals were part of a manifesto commitment. There is no such mandate for this Bill.

French MPs approve same-sex 'marriage'

The French National Assembly has approved a Bill introducing same-sex ‘marriages’ in a 329-229 vote.

The Bill, pushed by President François Hollande's Socialists, will also permit same-sex couples to adopt children.

Find out more >

Aberdeen congregation latest to leave Church of Scotland 

An Aberdeen minister and his congregation have split from the Church of Scotland over its decision on the ordination of practising homosexual clergy.

Find out more >

Survey reveals Britain's dependence on churches 

To a significant extent, Britain is reliant on churches to reach out to communities and address the social needs of people amidst the financial crisis, a new study has found.

Find out more >

Girl Guides - Respond to public consultation

Girlguiding UK is following the example of the UK Scouts by consulting the public on whether the Girl Guides promise should be changed.

As it stands, Girl Guides promise to "love my God." This reference to God could be removed depending on the responses to the consultation. 

Please have your say by completing the online survey. It's a simple tick-box survey that only takes a few minutes and is open to all members of the public. The deadline is 3rd March.

Complete the survey >

The Air Cadet Organisation is also changing its promise following pressure from secularist campaign groups. Find out more >

The founding principles of the Girl Guiding, Scouting and Air Cadets movements are based on a Christian outlook. Removing references to God will result in a loss of identity and a basis for the values promoted by these institutions.

Video & Radio

	BBC Radio Solent: Interview with independent Eastleigh candidate Danny Stupple (4m 17s) >		Christian Concern report on  Prayer in Parliament (3m 1s) >

Links 

We offer a full list of links from third party news sites on a range of diverse issues which may be of interest to Christians. 

Links >

Andrea speaking at Women Together event

Andrea Williams will be speaking at Second Broughshane Presbyterian Church during it's annual ladies event Women Together on 24th February. Please do come along if you can!

Date: Sunday 24th February 2013
Time:  11:30am
Location: Second Broughshane Presbyterian Church, 3 Raceview Road, Broughshane, Co. Antrim, BT42 4JL

Andrea speaking at Portrush Presbyterian Church  

Andrea Williams will also be speaking at Portrush Presbyterian Church during it's usual evening service. Do come along if you are in the area!

Date: Sunday, 24th February 2013
Time: 6:30pm
Location: Portrush Presbyterian Church, Main Street, Portrush County Antrim, BT56 8BT

Evangelism amongst Muslims - special event

Fighting Sexual Exploitation

On 13th April, Voice for Justice UK will be hosting a conference to raise awareness about the increasing number of children and women being trafficked into the UK to service the sex industry.

Date: 13th April 2013
Time: 9:30am - 4.15pm
Location: St Aldate's Church, 40 Pembroke St, Oxford, OX1 1BP 
Speakers include:  Jim Dobbin MP, Revd Lynda Rose (Voice for Justice CEO., member of House of Lords & House of Commons Family & Child Protection Group), Lisa Nolland (Voice for Justice, Anglican Mainstream) and Miranda Suit.

To book your place please fill out the online form available here.

FInd out more about the event (Voice for Justice UK website) >

Voice for Justice UK is a Christian organisation campaigning for the full exposure and eradication of human trafficking, and provision for help and support for victims.  

Push for Babies - Every One Special

Join Voice for Justice UK in a march to remember the 7,500,000 lost lives since 1967 and to celebrate the unborn today!

Date: 27th April 2013
Time: 12pm to 2pm