PALLIATIVE CARE BILL PASSES SECOND READING
Good news! Private member’s Bill C-277 passed second reading in the House of Commons last Tuesday and has gone to the Health Committee for review. This bill requires a palliative care framework to be developed, which would increase caregiver support and data collection, as well as identify palliative care education and training needs. Palliative care is vital for Canadians, and only 30% of Canadians who need palliative care have access to it. See the EFC’s sample letter of support for Bill C-277 and ask your MP to support increased palliative care in Canada.
CANADIAN INTERFAITH CONVERSATION PARTICIPANTS RESPOND TO QUEBEC MOSQUE SHOOTING
The Canadian Interfaith Conversation (CIC), of which the EFC is a member, has collected over 20 statements from Conversation participants and other Canadian organizations, responding to the January 29 shooting at the Centre Culturel Islamique de Québec. To read them, visit the CIC website.
NEW EFC OVERVIEW VIDEO
Have you seen our new EFC overview video? It features members of our staff and affiliate leaders. Please watch it and let us know what you think.
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.
CALL TO ACTION
Parliament recently passed a motion calling on the standing health committee to study the public health effects of easily accessible, violent and degrading sexually explicit material online. This crucial study ought to receive the attention that this issue demands. Please view our 2-minute video to see how you can help.
→ Multiply Conference, Westside Church, Vancouver, Feb. 8-9
→ Reveal: Understanding and responding to a pornified culture, Edmonton, Feb. 17
→ Missions Fest Alberta 2017, Edmonton, Feb. 24-26
→ Promise Keepers Canada Quest Conference, Ottawa, Feb. 24-25
→ Today’s Teens Conference 2017, Oakville, Feb. 25-26
→ Regional Youth Ministry Training CYWC, Calgary, Mar. 3-4
→ Apologetics Canada Conference 2017, Abbotsford, Mar. 3-4
→ Greater Vancouver Festival of Hope, Vancouver, Mar. 3-5
→ World Day of Prayer, worldwide, Mar. 3
→ Faith and Work in an Age of Intelligent Machines, Hamilton, Mar. 3
→ Fluid Young Adults Gathering, Oakville, Mar. 4
→ Promise Keepers Canada Legacy Conference, Cambridge, Mar. 4
→ Church Planting Intensive 2, Mississauga — Mar. 4
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THE CIRCULATION OF THE SAINTS
Church-hopping is becoming more common, with people migrating from established churches to new churches in the area. It’s tempting for church leaders to focus on the perspective of the ‘leavers’ and why they left, as they strive to retain members. But in the Jan/Feb Faith Today, Rod Wilson suggests churches should also spend time addressing the needs and feelings of those ‘left behind.’
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
→ EFC Condemns Act of Terror in Quebec
→ Letter to Newly Appointed Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship
→ New EFC Executive Vice-President
How a Canadian Church Can Easily Stay in the Good Books of the CRA
When People Leave a Church to Go to Another, and You Are Left Behind