EFC to Intervene in Challenge to Assisted Suicide Referral Policy
The EFC and its partners the Ontario Assembly of Catholic Bishops and the Christian Legal Fellowship have been granted intervenor status supporting the challenge to the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario’s policy requiring doctors to provide an effective referral for assisted suicide, regardless of whether this violates the conscience or religion of the doctors. Ontario is the only jurisdiction permitting assisted suicide worldwide that requires its doctors to be involved if patients ask. The challenge to the policy involves five Christian doctors and three doctors' associations including the Christian Medical Dental Society. The case is expected to be heard early in the new year.
Are You in Ottawa? Save Oct. 20 for a Movie Night
Because of Grácia is a movie by Christian Canadian filmmaker Tom Simes. With a Dove 12+ approval rating, the movie follows the intersecting paths of a group of high school seniors as they face life-altering decisions and navigate faith, friendship, and love. Richard Smith of The Christian Film Review says, “This is an exceptional pro-life teen drama that isn’t afraid to tackle difficult daily issues that teenagers face today. It is inspiring, entertaining, humorous and a not to be missed film.” Purchase tickets for showing at Met Bible Church in Ottawa. Learn more about the EFC’s support for this movie tour and how to host a screening.
EFC Vice-President David Guretzki at Parliamentary Forum on Religious Freedom
David Guretzki, EFC Executive VP and Resident Theologian, delivered a presentation at the 7th Annual Parliamentary Forum on Religious Freedom yesterday. He said, “What our society really needs to see is civilly respectful public religious engagement on matters where there is sharp disagreement, not only on public policy issues, but also on explicitly religious, theological, ethical, and doctrinal matters.” Read the full text of his presentation and watch a video clip here.
Other upcoming engagements: David Guretzki is preaching at Toronto Christian Community Church on October 14 and is the keynote speaker at the Saskatchewan ACSI Conference in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, from October 18-19.
Next Webinar: Renegotiating Faith: The Delay in Young Adult Identity Formation
Join our next webinar Oct. 10 on how the Church can help young adults in the transition after high school to continue on in their faith and withiin faith communities. Interact with some key partners in the Canadian research that led to Renegotiating Faith: The Delay in Young Adult Identity Formation and What It Means for the Church in Canada. Guests: Rick Hiemstra, lead researcher; and Anton Lim, Power to Change-Students.
Improving the EFC Update
How successful is this email newsletter at meeting your needs? We need to hear from you to know that, so we've created a short 7-question survey (under 3 minutes) to hear your opinions. As thanks we're offering free copies of our magazines Faith Today and Love Is Moving for anyone who takes the survey. Get the next print issues of Canada’s Christian magazine and Canada’s Christian youth magazine for yourself or someone you love! Thank you in advance for letting us know what you think.
EFC’s Julia Beazley Speaks to Justice Committee
The EFC made a written submission and an oral presentation to the Justice Committee on Bill C-75 recently. Among other things, Bill C-75 would allow some serious offences related to human trafficking, assaulting clergy and infanticide to be considered as relatively minor summary conviction offences. Watch a one-minute excerpt from the oral presentation by Julia Beazley, the EFC’s director of public policy.
The Shame of Sexual Harassment in the Church
“When Jules Woodson was 17, her youth pastor in Texas sexually assaulted her in the cab of his pickup truck after driving down a deserted road. Late last year, almost 20 years later, Woodson came forward with her story.” How does sexual harassment end up happening in churches? How do we heal? Read more in Faith Today on “The Shame of Sexual Harassment in the Church.”
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→ Discovering God's Word in Community. Anna Carter Florence at CMU, Winnipeg, Oct. 2-3
→ Faith and Science Lecture Series at Regent College, Vancouver, Oct. 4
→ Plan to Protect Training, Mississauga, Oct. 6
→ EFC Webinar on Renegotiating Faith: New Research on Young Adults, online, Oct. 10
→ Deepening Understanding for Intercultural Ministry, application deadline, Oct. 15
→ Disciple First, Winnipeg, Oct. 12-13
→ Change Conference for Youth, Toronto, Oct. 12-13
→ Elevate Conference 2018, Langley, Oct. 12-13
→ Saturate Vancouver, Langley, Oct. 12-13
→ Women on the Frontlines Mentoring Weekend, Edmonton, Oct. 12-13
→ Because of Grácia Toronto movie screening, Oct. 13
→ Promise Keepers Canada National Men’s Conference DISRUPTIVE, Charlottetown, Oct. 13
→ Reveal Conference on Sexualized Culture, Edmonton, Oct. 14
→ Human Sexuality and Christian Ethics: Online Group Study, Oct. 15
→ Renegotiating Faith: New Research on Young Adults Discussion, Briercrest, Oct. 16
→ Violence, Injustice, Trauma, and the Ordinary Practices of Christian Worship in a Social Media Age with Dr. John Witvliet, Winnipeg, Oct. 16-17
→ Global Leadership Summit—Willow Creek, simulcast, various locations, Oct. 18-19
→ Indigenous Conference: Walking The Good Way Together, Peterborough, Oct. 19
→ Love Is Red Youth and Young Adult Conference, Mississauga, Oct. 19-20
→ MissionFest Toronto’s West Regional Conference, Milton, Oct. 19-20
→ Conférence Ministère auprès des enfants / Youth Ministry Conf (Awana, CEF), Sherbrooke, Oct. 20 (French); Pierrefonds, Oct. 27 (English)
→ Laugh for Life Gala Edmonton, Oct. 20; Calgary, Oct. 21
→ Because of Grácia Ottawa movie screening, Oct. 20
In Case You Missed It
→ Love Is Moving Tackles the Dating Project
→ Tour Our Latest Issue
→ New Audio Podcast: Afraid to Die: When the Devout Experience Intense Fear at the End of Life
→ Renegotiating Faith in Young Adulthood