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EFC Update Newsletter December 6

06 December 2022
 

Protecting Youth from Online Pornography 

A bill to protect youth from online pornography is in the final stages of moving through the Senate. Bill S-210 would make it an offence to make sexually explicit material available, for a commercial purpose, to minors online. This bill originated in the Senate, and if it passes in the Senate, it bill will come to the House of Commons to be debated and voted on. See EFC’s sample letter and ask your MP to support Bill S-210, at www.TheEFC.ca/S210

New Video Explains Status Challenge for Pro-Life Organizations  

One of the assignments mandated to Canada’s finance minister in late 2021 was to: “Introduce amendments to the Income Tax Act to make anti-abortion organizations that provide dishonest counselling to pregnant women about their rights and options ineligible for charitable status.”   

The EFC is very concerned that these measures are only directed at organizations with a particular view on abortion. It raises the idea that participation in the public square and a level playing field with respect to government programs could be subject to a values test.  

Read more and watch a new nine-minute EFC video interview on the issue with Deina Warren of the Canadian Centre for Christian Charities.  

EFC Asks CPSO to Ensure Patients, Not Doctors, Initiate MAiD Discussions   

The EFC has asked the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO) to make sure that discussions about MAID are only initiated by patients, not doctors. As the EFC submission to the CPSO says, “Doctors are in a position of authority, and ideally, trust. Raising MAID as an option suggests to a patient that the clinician sees their life as not worth living, or that ending their life is something worth considering.” The EFC also asked the CPSO to protect doctor’s conscience rights and to push for MAID to be included as the cause of death on death certificates. Read EFC's submission to the CPSO here.  

Write MPs about MAiD Expansion  

A change in the law allowing medical assistance in dying (MAiD) for mental illness alone will come into effect this March. The EFC is calling on Canadian Christians to ask their Members of Parliament to stop the expansion. See the EFC's media release and action kit for more information.

Should tweens have a choice about going to church?

Parents may be tempted to permit older children to choose whether or not they go to church on Sundays, but churchgoing needs to be non-negotiable, argues Faith Today columnist John Stackhouse.  

Sign up at FaithToday.ca/SubscribeFree for a print subscription to read more regular columns and articles like this. Anyone can now read a limited selection of articles from the latest issue online at www.FaithToday.ca.   

Walk about Zion: What the Jerusalem ramparts walk taught me about the Eternal City  

Faith Today circulation coordinator Rachel Baarda shares what she learned on her visit to Jerusalem as part of a tour for Christian journalists.  

This Week’s EFC Prayer Prompts     

This week’s prayer request is about pornography.  Pray for freedom from the bondage of pornography, for healing in relationships affected by porn, for wisdom in teaching our kids. Pray also for legislators to recognize the public health impacts of porn and take steps to restrict its harms.  

 This week’s affiliate highlighted for prayer is Defend Dignity. The EFC regularly partners with Defend Dignity, an initiative of The Christian and Missionary Alliance (an EFC affiliate denomination).  

You can always find the week’s prayer prompts at TheEFC.ca/TakeAction. Also, we offer new pandemic-focused prayer ideas each month at TheEFC.ca/Covid-19.       

New Podcast: How a workplace can be a place to flourish   

In our latest Faith Today podcast, Al Lopus talks about his two decades of work at Best Christian Workplaces Institute and how toxic workplaces can change into places where people love what they do and find deep satisfaction. 

Coming Events at TheEFC.ca/Calendar               

 → A Colorful Christmas Tour (World Vision/The Color/Brooke Nicholls), Manitoba Dec. 9–11; Ontario Dec. 13–18    
→ Communications Workers Watercooler Break (CCCA), online, Dec. 9, Jan. 13  
→ Suffering Well & Suffering With-Virtual Course, online, Jan. 9  

In Case You Missed It             

 → Job Openings: Pastor (Lethbridge, Montreal, Brampton, Toronto, Ottawa, Sault Ste Marie, Uxbridge); Toronto congregational justice and mercy coordinator; Montreal director of leadership programs; and more (FaithToday.ca/Classifieds)   
The Dissonance of Preaching (Faith Today article)  
Pilgrimage of Grace in South Africa (Reconciling blog)  
Audible consolations of Covid (Faith Today blog)  
Bill to Clarify Law on Child Sexual Abuse Materials   
Bill to Verify Age and Consent on Pornography Sites