Home »Communications > EFC Update > 2018 > January 30, 2018

January 30, 2018

30 January 2018

Canada Summer Jobs Program Deadline Approaches (Feb. 2)

What options do churches and ministries have to manage the government’s changes to the Canada Summer Jobs program? The EFC has released a document outlining three strategies for dealing with the newly required “attestation,” which many Christians don’t feel they can agree to. Please continue to pray about this issue of religious freedom and contact your local MP and Employment Minister Patty Hajdu about your concerns with the changes to the Canada Summer Jobs guidelines. The time to act is short, because the program deadline is February 2. As of today, the government has given no indication that they will either change the policy or extend the deadline. For more information, see our Canada Summer Jobs Information page.

Stories continue to come in about how changes to the Canada Summer Jobs program will hurt Canadian society. The EFC has been sharing many of these stories on Facebook and Twitter, as groups email them in to us.

Statement on the Anniversary of Quebec Mosque Shootings

On the anniversary of the tragic shootings at the Quebec City area mosque, we continue to pray for those impacted, the families of those killed and wounded, and the Muslim community, who continue to suffer in the aftermath of the killings.

Interfaith Statement on the Canada Summer Jobs Program

In the wake of new rules for employers applying for a Canada Summer Jobs grant, a diverse group of faith leaders gathered in Toronto on January 25 to release an interfaith statement signed by 80 religious leaders, organizations and institutions. EFC President Bruce Clemenger was among the leaders who spoke about the impact the new rules will have on faith-based charitable organizations. You can watch a video of the event on the Archdiocese of Toronto Facebook page.

Webinar on Canada Summer Jobs Controversy

The EFC held a webinar on Jan. 25 to discuss the Canada Summer Jobs controversy. Our guests were Julia Beazley, the EFC’s Director of Public Policy, and Barry Bussey, Director, Legal Affairs for the Canadian Council of Christian Charities. They updated us all on the latest developments in this situation, answered questions live, and informed us of what Canadians troubled by this change can do. You can watch a recording of the webinar.

Podcast: Why small churches matter: An interview with Ron Johnston of Small Church Connections Canada

Small Church Connections helps small churches across Canada develop a greater sense of their potential so that they become more effective in serving their communities. Listen to our new interview with Ron Johnston of Small Church Connections. Find other episodes of the EFC Podcast at Google Play, iTunes, SoundCloud, and RSS (Feedburner).

Concern over Religious Freedom in Bolivia

Christians in Bolivia were alarmed by the content of a recently passed law. Bolivian lawmakers approved a new penal code that criminalized evangelism and other religious activities. Thanks to protests and prayers by Bolivian evangelical Christians, the law was repealed, but there is still concern given the apparent tension between the government and what it calls the “right wing.” Read more.

Youth and Young Adult Ministry Survey

Do you do ministry with youth or young adults? The EFC and its partners are conducting an important survey to find out how youth and young adult ministry workers are supporting young adults as they transition from high school to the next phase in life. If you work directly or indirectly with youth or young adults in a volunteer or paid capacity, we’d like to hear from you. Learn more or take the survey. Please share this opportunity with others you know who work with youth or young adults.

Still Reaching for Reconciliation

A recent EFC-sponsored gathering of denominational representatives provoked reflection on indigenous relations. “A common theme that [emerged] is the need to develop genuine one-to-one relationships. It is important to invite Indigenous neighbours to our homes, to open our family table to others who can enlarge our perspective. Together we can develop small and large circles of reconciliation.” Read more from Wendy Beauchemin Peterson, who attended the gathering.

Surviving University as a Christian: Overcoming the Scale

In the Jan/Feb issue of the EFC’s youth magazine Love Is Moving, Abigail Morgan confronts the lies that young women are faced with during the years of university, when the “freshmen 15” is a prevalent topic of distress. “After all, beauty is fleeting. If you think about the people you care most about in your life—your role models, your parents, your friends—you don’t think about their 22-inch waist, or their perfect hair. You think about how amazing they are as a person and all that they have done in your life. Remember that.”

EFC Director Coming to Calgary

Don McNiven, the EFC’s Director of Affiliate and Donor Relations, will be visiting Calgary from March 5-8. There will be two informational/introductory meetings at Crossroads Community Church, 912 - 19th Street NE, Calgary at 9:30 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 6th. Everyone is welcome; refreshments will be served. Contact his assistant Bonnie Knoll to RSVP or set up a personal visit.

Coming Events at TheEFC.ca/calendar

Publicize your event for free.

→ Alternative Medicine and Christianity, Hamilton, Jan. 31
→ Missionfest Manitoba, Winnipeg, Feb. 2-4
→ ReNew: Resourcing Pastors for Ministry, Feb. 6-7
→ Multiply Conference, Vancouver, Feb. 7-8
→ Going Deeper – Empowering Prayer Saturation, Bramalea, Feb. 10
→ Foundations of Media Strategy Online Course, Online, Feb. 15
→ Worship Central Conference, Vancouver, Feb. 16-17
→ Youth Quake, Caronport, Feb. 16-18
→ Ontario Prayer Breakfast, Toronto, Feb. 21
→ Missions Fest Alberta, Edmonton, Feb. 23-25
→ Promise Keepers Canada All In Conference, Ottawa, Feb. 23-24
→ Rise Conference (youth worship leading), Abbotsford, Feb. 23-24
→ Coldest Night of the Year Fundraising Walk, nationwide, 100+ locations, Feb. 24
→ Today’s Teens Conference, Oakville, Feb. 24