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EFC Update Newsletter - August 16

16 August 2022

Defending Prostitution Laws 

The EFC has submitted written arguments in support of the laws against buying sexual services. A court challenge of the prostitution laws will be heard in the Ontario Superior Court this fall and the EFC will submit arguments as an intervener, or friend of the court. The EFC’s factum points out that Parliament’s objective in passing these laws was to reduce the demand for prostitution. Parliament intended to discourage entry into prostitution, deter participation in it and ultimately abolish it to the extent possible in order to protect communities, human dignity and equality. 

The Importance of Art in Troubled Times, Hosted by Love Is Moving 

We are (hopefully) transitioning out of the pandemic, yet war and other tragedies still weigh down our news feeds. World catastrophes can provoke us to ask, “Do the arts even matter?” Join a virtual discussion to talk about why art can still be vital amid challenges and grief. Hear from two panelists, Ivanka Galadza and Andrea Nwabuike, on how art has been part of their own processing and healing. The event will also include a reflection from award-winning artist Josh Tiessen. 

This is a great networking space for Christian young adult creators. You’ll get to participate in a discussion group and a Q&A. Register here to join via Zoom on August 23 from 8-9:30 p.m. Eastern (5 p.m. Pacific, 7 p.m. Central, 9 p.m. Atlantic). 

Reconciliation Advocate Paul B. Anderson and Soviet Christians

Paul B. Anderson was an advocate for reconciliation between North American and Soviet Christians during the First and Second World Wars. His example can inspire us today to constructive action in the face of the tragedy unfolding in Ukraine. History professor Matthew Lee Miller explains in the latest post at FaithToday.ca/Reconciling

Companionship in Grief

“We do not help those who grieve when we minimize death.” Susie Colby, wife of Steve Colby, Inter-Varsity’s former director of missions, shares her heartfelt thoughts about the journey of bereavement after her husband’s recent death from cancer. 

Sign up at FaithToday.ca/SubscribeFree for a Faith Today print subscription to read more articles like this. 

Calgary Christians Rally After Church Fire

Bonavista Evangelical Missionary Church recently burned down, allegedly due to arson, but its members have found encouraging support from the Christian community in Calgary. A nearby Baptist church is loaning them facilities to worship in and also stepping up to hold a joint Vacation Bible School. Youth groups from both churches had reportedly also been holding some joint activities even before the fire. Join us in praying for all involved, and also taking encouragement from how God appears to be working. More details at https://bonavistachurch.ca/.

Summer Citizenship Challenge: Make One Positive Contact with Your Local MP 

The EFC is challenging Canadians to make a positive connection with their Member of Parliament this summer. Connecting with your MP is a way of following Scripture’s call to pray for those in authority over us, and it creates a positive context for future interactions. Read more in the EFC’s recent blog post

Bill to Verify Age and Consent on Pornography Sites 

Bill C-270 is a private member's bill that would require commercial pornography sites to verify the age and consent of people depicted before posting their images or videos. Two weeks ago the EFC sent a letter of support to the sponsoring MP Arnold Viersen, Join the EFC and ask your MP to support Bill C-270. Learn more and find a sample letter you can use to write your MP at TheEFC.ca/C-270.

Action Kit to Halt Expansion of MAiD

People with mental illness as their sole underlying medical condition will become eligible for medical assistance in dying (MAiD) in March 2023. This change was passed into law in 2021, with a two-year delay before the change would take effect. Many Canadians are seriously concerned about this change, including the EFC. Please join us in asking MPs to halt this expansion of MAID for mental illness alone. The EFC now offers a kit showing how each of us can take action at TheEFC.ca/MAIDreview

Early Christmas Request

Does your church do something creative to serve your community at Christmas? Faith Today magazine would love to hear about it for our Nov/Dec issue. Contact the editors at editor@faithtoday.ca 

EFC Job Opening for Fundraising Researcher: Deadline Today 

The EFC is looking for a part-time Prospect Researcher, Major Gifts, to join the EFC Development team. The role involves research to identify and provide insight on high net-worth individuals, private foundations and corporations. Application deadline is August 16. Learn more at TheEFC.ca/jobs

This Week’s EFC Prayer Prompts 

Each week at TheEFC.ca/TakeAction, we rotate through a prayer request from five areas. This week we’re praying about Church and Mission.   

Pray for those in pastoral ministry, who may feel burned out after months of preaching remotely and trying to respond to the needs of their congregation from a distance. Pray for those involved in international ministry, as they contend with instability and uncertainty in various regions around the world. 

Also, we offer pandemic-focused prayer ideas we call Friday@4, which we suggest you pray through on Fridays at 4 p.m. local time. Find new ones each month at TheEFC.ca/Covid-19.  

Coming Events at TheEFC.ca/Calendar  

→ International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief, Aug. 22 
→ What Is Gospel Music (Part 2), (GMI Hub), online and in-person in Mississauga, Aug. 22 
→ Discipling New Canadians as They Learn English (Love New Canadiians), online webinar, Aug. 27 
→ Gospel Music Artist Showcase (GMI Hub), online and in-person in Mississauga, Aug. 29
→ Consumed - A Sacred Quest 3-year spiritual growth program (Renovaré), online weekly with 2 retreats a year in Saskatoon, Sask., starts Sept. 1 
→ Jesus in the City Parade, Toronto, Sept. 10 
→ Perseverance: Moving Towards Greater Mental Wellness (Agora), online Sept. 10 
→ Business as Mission Global Conference (BAM Global), online Sept. 15 
→ Write! Canada/The Word Awards, online, Sept. 16-17 
→ Canadian International Faith & Family Film Festival, online and in-person in Toronto, Sept. 16-18 
→ Life Shared Summit, in-person in Toronto Sept. 22-24 

In Case You Missed It 

 → Job Openings: Justice and mercy coordinator; leadership centre director of programs; pastoral leader; director of philanthropy; pastor; director of human resources; and more (FaithToday.ca/Classifieds)
The EFC Strengthens Three Centres (Canada Watch
Staying with People in their Struggles: The complicated reality of drug addiction (Faith Today guest column)