ALERT: Canada Summer Jobs grant will now require conformity with government position on abortion and other issues
Today the federal government released new guidelines for the Canada Summer Jobs program that provides funding for non-profits and small businesses to hire summer students. Employers will be ineligible for the grant unless they can attest that their core mandate and hiring do not discriminate on the basis of religion, and that they affirm the government's views on abortion, sexual orientation, or gender identity or expression. This means, for example, that churches, summer camps and others may be ineligible to receive the grant if they wish to hire only students that share their religious beliefs. This could impact a wide range of Christian ministries, organizations and programs. The EFC is consulting with Christian and interfaith partners and will respond to this policy change, including developing resources to equip Evangelicals to respond. Please monitor the EFC website for updates, including suggestions for action from organizations and individuals.
Strong Words on Religious Freedom
Lawyer Albertos Polizogopoulos has worked on several EFC cases related to religious freedom. We asked him for his insights on current trends and concerns, and what he would like Christians to know about these serious issues, as part of our Three Questions Series. We just published this short online interview earlier today.
Thank you for Partnering with the EFC to Bless Canada
Thank you for your generous and faithful support over this past year. Your prayers and financial support have been crucial to the work of the EFC – uniting Evangelicals across Canada to pray, to stand and to speak as one evangelical Church – to bless our communities and our country in the name of Jesus. As we approach the end of an extraordinarily busy year at the EFC, would you consider making one more gift before December 31? Your year-end gift will help determine what programs and activities we can engage in throughout the upcoming year. You can contribute a gift by either phone (1-866-302-3362) OR online today.
From all the staff of the EFC, we wish you a blessed Christmas and a joyous New Year!
Christmas Gifts for Your Pastor
Looking for a gift for your pastor? EFC theologian-in-residence David Guretzki suggests three gifts anyone can give to their pastor. Read his latest blogpost.
Rev. Lim and the Church That Prayed Him Out
During Toronto pastor Rev. Lim’s ordeal in a North Korean prison, Christians across North America constantly surrounded him, his family and church in prayer. "I got media requests from all over the world, but then I had people who would call from Colorado or Nova Scotia saying, ‘Just give me your prayer requests. We don’t have to know anything, just know we are praying,’” says Lisa Pak, spokesperson for the Lim family. “In the midst of all the chaos, tears just well up and you know you are not alone.” Read more in Faith Today about how Pastor Lim’s church believes the prayers of God’s people played a role in his release.
Two Christmas Gifts for the Price of One
Offer ends soon! Faith Today, Canada’s Christian magazine, has a special offer of two gift subscriptions for the price of one! Get details at our 2for1 webpage or by calling toll-free 1-866-302-3362. EFC magazine subscriptions are great for all ages, since they include both Faith Today and our youth magazine, Love Is Moving.
EFC Director in GTA After Christmas
In the New Year, Don McNiven, the EFC’s Director of Affiliate and Donor Relations, will be making visits in and around the GTA. He will be in Toronto, the GTA, Oakville, Brampton and Georgetown from January 15-19. From February 5-9 he will be visiting the GTA, Richmond Hill, and Markham. From March 5-9 Don will be visiting Calgary. If you’re interested in a visit, contact his assistant, Bonnie Knoll.
Publicize your event for free.
→ Canada Chinese Christian Winter Conference, Edmonton, Dec. 27-31
→ P2C Plus Youth Conference, Richmond Hill, Dec. 28-Jan. 1
→ Understanding and Answering Islam, online & streamed at various churches live, Jan. 12-13
→ Strategic Management Certificate Course, Toronto, four Saturdays starting Jan. 13
→ Becoming Whole: Relational Healing and Transformation in Christ, Pierrefonds, Jan. 18-20
→ Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, worldwide, Jan. 18-25
→ Canadian Youth Workers Conference, Surrey, Jan. 19-20
→ Taking time for the cheeseball
→ Confessions of a tech addict
In Case You Missed It
→ EFC President Bruce Clemenger video update from Supreme Court, Day 1 of TWU Law School hearings, Day 2 of TWU Law School hearings
→ Podcast: Andrew Klavan Interviewed by James Beverley
→ Palliative Care Bill C-277 Passes
→ Theological Lessons from the TWU Law School Case
→ Podcast: Janet Epp Buckingham Interview on TWU Court Case Hearings