Human Trafficking in Canada?
Often when Canadians read about human trafficking, it seems like an overseas problem. But in fact it is also a major problem within Canadian society. Last week the EFC submitted a 10-page report to a parliamentary committee studying the issue (the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights). The EFC recommends the government maintain Canada’s current prostitution laws, renew the lapsed National Action Plan to Combat Human Trafficking and improve data collection on trafficking. Download a copy of our submission. You can also learn more by watching a video of last week’s informative webinar on human trafficking at TheEFC.ca/Webinars. Download a sample letter on maintaining Canada’s current prostitution laws that you can use to write to an MP (docx, pdf).
Canada Summer Jobs Update
The federal government has released the list of employers approved to receive a Canada Summer Jobs grant. A very small number of objecting groups who checked the box and added an alternate attestation or letter have been approved. If your organization has been approved for a CSJ grant even though the wording of the attestation was altered or a letter was included, please let the EFC know at feedback@theefc.ca.
Life Issues, From Crisis Pregnancy Centres to Palliative Care and Deathbed Doubts
New issues of the EFC magazine Faith Today and our young adult magazine Love Is Moving became available this week online and in print.
Faith Today features a cover package of four articles about life-related issues and activism, three more articles about ministry with youth and young adults, plus inspiring columns by Bruce Clemenger, Carolyn Arends, James Beverley, John Stackhouse and more. Read the entire issue online at FaithToday.ca/Digital. You can also receive it and future articles in our print magazine by subscribing at FaithToday.ca/Subscription.
The new issue of Love Is Moving has a series of articles on summertime and how faith influences the choices of young adults outside school. Every issue now also includes a Flipside section for leaders in youth and young adult ministry. Students and youth groups can subscribe to the LIM print magazine for the discounted price of $2/issue at FaithToday.ca/Student. Or read the articles online at LoveIsMoving.ca.
May 17 Webinar on Communicating Effectively
Sign up today for the upcoming EFC webinar on communicating effectively. Does your church or organization have powerful stories of community impact to share? Are you wondering how you can reach your audiences even better? Join experts Bill Fledderus (senior editor of Faith Today and adjunct writing professor at Redeemer University) and Patricia Paddey (communications director at Wycliffe College and freelance writer) for a practical tip-filled webinar to help you enhance your communication efforts. We will field your questions live to help you with communication challenges you might be facing in your church or ministry. Register today! This webinar is free, lasts for 45 minutes, and starts at noon Eastern / 9 a.m. Pacific / 10 a.m. Mountain / 11 a.m. Central / 1 p.m. Atlantic / 1:30 Newfoundland.
New Audio Podcast: What Churches Are Learning From Refugees
Thousands of Canadian churches responded to the plight of Syrian refugees by becoming private sponsors for the first time. Here are three stories.
Listen to individual episodes of The EFC Podcast (or subscribe to download each new episode automatically) at Google Play, iTunes, SoundCloud, and RSS (Feedburner). Check out our full list of recent episodes.
EFC President in Abbotsford and Victoria, Vice-President in Toronto and Ottawa
This Sunday May 6, EFC President Bruce Clemenger will be speaking at Grace Church in Abbotsford, B.C.
Next week he will participate in the annual meeting of the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada, in Victoria, B.C.
David Guretzki, the EFC’s executive vice-president and resident theologian, is teaching a course this week in Toronto at Tyndale Seminary entitled, “Life in the Mess: A Theology of Forgiveness and Reconciliation.”
He is available to speak on these topics to other churches and groups as well. Contact Anita Kwan to explore the options.
Next week Guretzki will be in Ottawa for the National Prayer Breakfast. This annual Christian event is offered under the auspices of the Speaker of the Senate on behalf of the Parliamentary Prayer Breakfast Group. It allows elected public officials to gather together with men and women from different backgrounds to pray and connect through a shared faith in Jesus Christ.
Join Christian Communicators in Hamilton, Ont.
Two Christian associations of writers, editors and other communicators are holding “Uncovering Truth in an Uncertain World,” a joint national conference in Hamilton, Ont., May 2-4. Anyone involved in communications is welcome to attend. The conference features a variety of speakers (including Faith Today senior editors Karen Stiller and Bill Fledderus), dinners and awards. Full conference details: www.canadianchurchpress.com/convention. Full registration or single-event tickets: www.catholicregister.org/ccp. Inquire about student discounts at cdnchurchpress@hotmail.com.
Publicize your event for free.
→ Church Leaders Forums by World Vision. Regina, Saskatoon, Winnipeg, Steinbach, May 1-4
→ Youth Worker Lunch Tour by CYN, Kitchener, Ajax, Burlington, Barrie, St. Catharines, Toronto, May 1-3
→ Abbotsford Prayer Breakfast, Abbotsford, May 2
→ Canadian Church Press Convention, Hamilton, May 2-4
→ Islam in Canada, online course every Wed & Fri, May 2-July 3
→ Children’s Ministry Course Level 2, Toronto, eight Thursdays starting May 3
→ Indigenous People and the Christian Faith, Edmonton, May 4-5
→ Souly Business Canada Conference, Godfrey, May 4-6
→ Reboot Youth Conference, Mississauga, May 5
→ National Prayer Breakfast, Ottawa, May 7-8
→ National Christian Youth Summit, Ottawa, May 6-8
→ Fatal Flaws: Legalizing Assisted Death, Documentary Premiere and Discussion, Ottawa, May 8
→ Mobiles in Mission online course, Tuesdays May 8 to June 5
→ Ambassadors – Christ in the Public Square Pastors/Leaders Conference, Vancouver, May 9-11
→ March for Life, Ottawa and various provincial capitals, May 10
→ Science & Christianity in Canada Conference, Langley, May 11-14
→ How Do We Make Sense of It All?
In Case You Missed It
→ Winners of our Send Your Pastor to Dinner contest
→ Condolences and Call to Prayer After Toronto Van Tragedy