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EFC Update Newsletter August 11, 2020

11 August 2020

New Podcast: What Does Our Faith Have to Do with Facebook?

In this podcast of a Faith Today article, writer Matthew Civico helps us reflect on the costs and benefits of the massively popular social media tool. You can also read the original text version of this article from our Nov. 2019 issue.

The EFC’s Rick Hiemstra at PAOC Summit

The EFC's director of research Rick Hiemstra will be one of the featured speakers in an online event called Church Vitalization Summit, held Sept. 1-3 by The Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada. Registration is free. The event aims to help Canadian churches and denominations go from plateaued and declining to thriving in their communities. It features pastors, coaches and denominational leaders who have been a part of denominational and church turn around. 

Writing Workshops by EFC Editors

Faith Today's editors are both offering writing workshops in the coming weeks. Bill Fledderus is teaching on Finding Your Way Into Personal Writing, and Karen Stiller is teaching on Spiritual Memoir. Check them out here.

Send Us Photos of Your Church Reopening

It’s official — churches across Canada are reopening. We’d love to see how your church is doing this! Send us a photo of your regathering so we can share it on social media.

The New Moralism 

Have you been told our modern society is morally relativistic? John Stackhouse challenges that view, arguing that many today have a new sense of moralism: “We have fallen back on...whatever seems to me to be true and right.” Read more in Stackhouse’s July/Aug Faith Today column. 

Support the production of more Canadian Christian journalism like this by making a charitable donation or advertising with Faith Today. 

Coming Events at TheEFC.ca/Calendar

→ Theology Rooted in the Radical Reformation (Jesus Collective), online course Aug. 12+19
→ Teach me to Study the Bible Workshop (Precept Ministries), online Aug. 12
→ Hymnody Seminars (Anglican Diocese of Quebec), online every Wed. Aug. 12 to Aug. 26
→ How to Study New Testament Letters Workshop (Precept Ministries), online Aug. 14
→ Ending Poverty Together Workshop (Feed the Hungry), online Aug. 18 
→ Youth Ministry Summit (Alpha), online for staff Aug. 19, for volunteers Sept. 12
→ International Day for Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief, Aug. 22
→ Journey Interrupted Youth Gathering (CLAY), online Aug. 22 
→ Essentials of Inductive Bible Study Workshop (Precept Ministries), online Aug. 27, Sept. 8
→ Church Vitalization Summit (PAOC), online Sept. 1-3

Publicize your event for free on our calendar and we will also share it in this email newsletter. 

Changes to Medical Assistance in Dying Law

The federal government has been granted a five-month extension by the Quebec Superior Court before changes to the euthanasia and assisted suicide law take effect. See the EFC’s recent blog on the impact of Bill C-7 on vulnerable Canadians and how you can help, or visit TheEFC.ca/C-7

A Bill Against Forced Labour 

Bill S-211 is a private member’s bill in the Senate that would require large corporations to report on what they are doing to make sure their supply chains are free of slavery, forced labour or child labour. The EFC supports this effort to reduce forced and child labour and to raise awareness about human trafficking. See the EFC’s letter sent in support of this bill plus a sample letter you can use to communicate with your MP at TheEFC.ca/S-211

Pandemic a Great Time for Learning? 

Online course registrations are now open for many seminaries and Christian postsecondary institutions. Several are listed at TheEFC.ca/Calendar. Be sure to check the website of your preferred institution for more opportunities. Or visit www.checonline.ca to search a database of Canadian Christian online courses.

EFC Speakers in Your Online Gathering?

The EFC has local ambassadors in many Canadian provinces and expert staff on a variety of topics. One of them would be delighted to make a presentation at an online gathering of your community. Learn more at TheEFC.ca/Speakers. Request a new topic or mention one listed there, including social issues from euthanasia to refugees to prostitution, and ministry issues from adoption to youth ministry. Request a speaker now!

In Case You Missed It

EFC’s Rick Hiemstra discusses young adults leaving the church
Pulling back the curtain on EFC work in Ottawa (Canada Watch)
Practising the practices of our faith (audio podcast)
Wilderness and beyond (Faith Today blog)
Listen to the groans (Faith Today column)
Sample letter of support for Bill C-219
EFC letter of support for Bill C-233
→ Supreme Court case will examine if church decisions about membership and discipline are outside of the scope of judicial review. See TheEFC.ca/Aga

→ Home print subscriptions to our award-winning magazines Faith Today and Love Is Moving are now free in Canada at FaithToday.ca/SubscribeFree.
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