THE EFC UPDATE - 2016.12.13
Uniting Evangelicals to bless Canada in the name of Jesus
Sign up to receive the EFC Update via email every Tuesday to keep up with current news from The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada.
SUPREME COURT CONSIDERS RELIGIOUS FREEDOM
Please pray for the Supreme Court justices, who will in the weeks ahead be formulating their decision in the Dec. 1 Ktuxana case. Their ruling should clarify our country’s laws around religious freedom. The EFC and the Christian Legal Fellowship co-intervened in the case. Check out our recently updated EFC blog post summarizing the issues, including links to other resources such as our factum (legal arguments).
FACING THE RESEARCH ON PORN’S IMPACT
Members of Parliament voted unanimously on Dec. 8 to commission a study of the social harm caused by violent and degrading sexual images online. Thanks to all the EFC supporters who used our sample letter to ask their MP to support this motion. And watch our November webinar recording for practical advice on what parents and churches can do already now to reduce the harm pornography is having on our society.
YEAR-END DONATIONS
Your year-end gift goes a long way to help us start the New Year strong. Mailed-in donations postmarked by Dec. 31 will be tax-deductible for 2016, as are donations made by phone (toll-free 1-866-302-3362) or at TheEFC.ca/Donate before midnight on Dec. 31. Thank you for your generosity.
NEW PARTNERSHIP WITH JEWISH FEDERATIONS
Today the EFC signed a declaration of dialogue and partnership with the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, the advocacy agent of the Jewish Federations of Canada. Through biennial dialogue sessions, the two groups aim to “strengthen mutual understanding and identify joint advocacy opportunities” around issues of common cause, including palliative care, affordable housing, religious freedom in Canada, peace and security in the Middle East, and support for persecuted minorities in the region.
PRAYER AFTER CAIRO BOMBING
The EFC extends its condolences to the Coptic Orthodox community in the wake of the bombing of St. Mark’s Cathedral in Cairo during a worship service. We pray for all who have been impacted by this horrific act of terror, particularly for those who grieve and mourn the loss of loved ones. We condemn all acts of terror and the hatred that motivates these acts. We pray for peace.
BUILDING OUR WHOLE SOCIETY
How can our society ensure public space for diverse perspectives and practices? Can we advance beyond simple toleration of religious and other differences to embrace a wider respect for all citizens? These are some of the questions to be addressed in a multifaith conference supported by the EFC. Join the discussion May 8–9, 2017 in Ottawa. Learn more at OurWholeSociety.ca.
→ Canada Chinese Christian Winter Conference, Calgary, Dec. 27-31
→ P2C+ Student Conference, Toronto+Calgary, Dec. 28-31
→ Children’s Ministry Diploma Course, Toronto, Thursdays starting Jan. 12
→ New Testament Survey Diploma Course, Toronto, Mondays starting Jan. 16
→ Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, Jan. 18-25
Add your upcoming event for free.
SEXUAL MINORITIES IN OUR CARE
Gender fluidity is an issue an increasing number of people struggle with. How should we and our churches think about it and respond in a biblical way? Sid Koop of Truth Matters Ministries offers a helpful start in a two-page essay in the Nov/Dec issue of Faith Today, Canada’s Christian magazine. Subscribe now to get a printed copy.
THREE CHRISTMAS GIFTS FOR THE PRICE OF ONE
Only a few more weeks left! Canada’s Christian magazine lets you give two gift subscriptions free if you buy a third subscription for yourself or someone else! Get details at our 3-for-1 webpage or by calling toll-free 1-866-302-3362. EFC magazine subscriptions are great for all ages, since they include both Faith Today and our youth magazine, Love Is Moving.
A CHRISTMAS BLESSING FOR OUR NATION’S YOUTH
Love Is Moving, the EFC’s youth initiative, now has a gift guide offering opportunities to sponsor young writers and to provide free copies of Love Is Moving magazine to students (or even to an entire church youth group for a year).