donate

EFC Update Newsletter October 27, 2020

27 October 2020

International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church Is This Sunday, November 1

Persecution for faith in Christ often separates believers from family and loved ones. During Covid-19 we understand, though to a lesser degree, the pain of isolation. That is why “Hope in Isolation” is the theme for the 2020 International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted. “Joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer” (Romans 12:12). Countries of focus include Bangladesh, Nigeria and Yemen. Be sure to visit IDOP.ca for free resources for your church group or personal prayer. The EFC is one of several sponsors of this event.

Religious Leaders Call for Better Approach to Illness and Dying

More than 50 religious leaders from across Canada, including the leaders of many EFC affiliate denominations, have released an open letter to all Canadians in opposition to Bill C-7: An Act to Amend the Criminal Code (medical assistance in dying). This ecumenical and interfaith message is a response to the legislation introduced three weeks ago by the federal government which seeks to expand the eligibility criteria for euthanasia and assisted suicide by removing the “reasonable foreseeability of natural death” criterion currently in the Criminal Code and by loosening some of the existing safeguards, allowing patients whose death is reasonably foreseeable to waive final consent to receiving euthanasia by making an advance directive.

Support a Senate Bill Requiring Age-Verification for Online Pornography

Sign a petition in support of a Senate bill that would require online pornography companies to verify that users are adults in order to access content. See sample letters and more information at TheEFC.ca/S-203.

Calling Attention to the Harms of Pornography

Groups concerned about the harms of pornography often work together to highlight them each October. In Canada, Defend Dignity is holding a series of webinars in 2020. Two still to come are Teens and Porn (Oct. 29) and A Therapist's Insight (Nov. 5) at DefendDignity.ca/event. In the USA, the National Center on Sexual Exploitation has three discussion-starting videos on 10 Proactive Ways to Protect Young Minds; The Church’s Role in the Pornography Battle; and Porn is Influencing the Way Teens Think at EndSexualExploitation.org/wrap. All these links and other resources including our free booklet How Porn Harms are available at TheEFC.ca/Pornography.

Act Now on Bills to Extend Euthanasia, Ban Conversion Therapy

The federal government has begun debate on Bill C-6, to ban conversion therapy, and Bill C-7, to remove key safeguards and expand euthanasia. Even if you have communicated on these bills before, please contact your MP again to ask for changes. See the EFC’s resources at TheEFC.ca/C-6 and TheEFC.ca/C-7, including description of the bills and sample letters for contacting MPs.

New Podcast: In Conversation with Author Jen Pollock Michel

Jen Pollock Michel, author and host of the Englewood Review of Books podcast, joins us to explore lament, how to listen and speak well to each other and other wonderful things.

The Secret Ingredient for Making Pastors

Maritime pastor Jim Molloy shares how his disastrous first sermon turned out to be a blessing and taught him something vital. Reprinted in our Faith Today blog with permission from Sage magazine.

Coming Events at TheEFC.ca/Calendar 

→ Business Talks Series (RZIM/Intriciti), online every Wednesday until Nov. 25 
→ Explore Alpha (Alpha Canada), online Oct. 28 
→ EFC Presidents’ Day, online Oct. 29 
→ Reveal webinar: Teens and porn (Defend Dignity), online Oct. 29 
→ Dr. Carolyn Weber on C.S. Lewis’ The Great Divorce (Heritage C&S), online Oct. 30 
→ The Internet: Are children in charge? (Internet Sense First), online Oct. 30-31 
→ Theology pub: Danielle Strickland on The Zombie Gospel (Wycliffe College), online Oct. 30  
→ International day of prayer for the persecuted church, worldwide Nov. 1 
→ Adoption and fostering awareness month, nationwide Nov. 1-30 
→ Church & charity law seminar (Carters), online Nov. 5 
→ Better conversations with those experiencing a loss (Women’s Inter-church Council), online Nov. 5 
→ Reveal webinar: A therapist’s insight (Defend Dignity), online Nov. 5 
→ Sharing your story in conversation (RSVP ministries), online Nov. 6 
→ Rooting for rivals; Racism and the church (workshops at Belong Symposium), online Nov. 6 
→ “Hold fast” day in the Word conference (Precept Ministries), online Nov. 6 
→ MEDA convention 2020 (Mennonite Economic Development Associates), online Nov. 6-7  
→ Toronto’s children’s ministry conference (Wycliffe College), online Nov. 7 
→ Ending poverty together; Intro to trauma care (workshops at Belong Symposium), online Nov. 7 

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

In Case You Missed It

Review of Canada’s prostitution laws expected this fall
The Apostle of Pictou, N.S. (Faith Today article)
Concern Over Human Rights in Syria (EFC letter to Minister of Foreign Affairs)
Welcome the Stranger: A Canadian Church Guide to Welcoming Refugees (free practical resource)
EFC speakers in your online gathering - contact us to explore options
→ Home print subscriptions to Faith Today and Love Is Moving now free FaithToday.ca/SubscribeFree
→ Get your message out at FaithToday.ca/Classifieds. Contact ads@faithtoday.ca