THE EFC UPDATE - 2015.02.09
Uniting Evangelicals to bless Canada in the name of Jesus
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SIGN UP FOR EFC WEBINAR ON ASSISTED SUICIDE, FEB. 17
What can we and our congregations be doing to protect life? Registration is now open for our webinar about what every Canadian Christian needs to know about euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide. Hear the latest updates and developments straight from Parliament Hill, then immediately contribute your questions to our live online discussion. Our experts will include Bruce J. Clemenger, EFC President, and Julia Beazley, EFC Director of Public Policy. Get details and register today at theEFC.ca/webinars.
STAND AGAINST ASSISTED SUICIDE
Have you added your name to the 13,000+ Canadians calling our government to protect vulnerable Canadians and improve palliative care? You can do so at euthanasiadeclaration.ca. Help us demonstrate cross-Canada support for limits to euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide. This declaration was developed in October by the EFC and the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (aussi disponible en français).
WORKING ON YOUR BEHALF
The EFC’s latest appeal letter explains more about assisted suicide and how we are working on your behalf to defend the sanctity of life.
EFC WEBINAR ON PALLIATIVE CARE, FEB. 24
Everyone agrees Canada needs a better, more comprehensive strategy to care for those nearing the end of their lives. Mark your calendar now for a chance to hear straight from two experts – and to ask them your questions in a live discussion. The EFC’s Feb. 24 noon webinar will explore: the concerns palliative-care physicians have about physician-assisted suicide; what palliative care really is, what it could be, and what it means to patients and their families; and how Canadian churches can be involved in this issue. Our expert guests are Laurie Read, a Winnipeg-based nurse and researcher who worked many years in palliative care and parish nursing, and Dr. Michael Koke, a palliative care physician in Kitchener. Registration opens next week.
INVITE US FOR A VISIT
Last Sunday, three EFC speakers made helpful presentations. Julia Beazley spoke at a forum in Estevan, Sask., on ending sexual exploitation. Rick Hiemstra spoke at a men’s group at Cornwall (Ontario) Wesleyan Church. EFC Ambassador Neil Siemens spoke at Bethel Evangelical Free Church in Vauxhall, Alta. This coming Thursday, Feb. 11, EFC President Bruce Clemenger will be speaking at a Mennonite Brethren Church in Kitchener, Ont. Consider inviting an EFC speaker for your group or church at theEFC.ca/speakers.
WIN A FREE RETREAT FOR YOUR PASTOR
There’s only a few weeks left to nominate your pastor for a chance to win a rejuvenating retreat. One winner in each province! Details on this Faith Todaycontest in English at FaithToday.ca/contest or en français àFaithToday.ca/concours.
COMING EVENTS AT THEEFC.CA/CALENDAR
→ Missiological Insights for Local Impact (Chris Wright), Toronto, Feb. 11
→ NBA All-Star Weekend Concert, Toronto, Feb. 12
→ Briercrest Youth Quake, Caronport, Sask., Feb. 12-14
→ EFC Webinar on Assisted Suicide, Feb. 17
→ Understanding our Pornified Culture, Morden, Man., Feb. 20
→ She's Not for Sale, Toronto, Feb. 21
BETTER EQUIPPED
Do you want to be better connected, informed and equipped this year? Subscribe to Faith Today, Canada’s Christian magazine, published by The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada. Subscriptions now also include our free new youth magazine, Love Is Moving. Our risk-free trial gives you two issues at no cost before deciding on a subscription. Details at FaithToday.ca/RiskFreeor toll-free 1-866-302-3362.
LATEST POSTS AT BLOG.FAITHTODAY.CA
→ The Journey of an Artist Who is a Christian, by Jim Paterson
IS YOUR CONGREGATION AN EFC AFFILIATE?
Congregations that affiliate with the EFC take a public stand for religious freedom, collaboration for ministry effectiveness, and the importance of bringing biblical principles to issues of Canadian law and public policy. Join hundreds of other congregations from more than 40 denominations at work in “uniting Evangelicals to bless Canada in the name of Jesus” at theEFC.ca/affiliate.
SUPPORT OUR YOUTH
Have you seen the new magazine Love Is Moving, published by the EFC’s new youth initiative? It’s written by youth to encourage each other to put faith into action. You can add your encouragement (whatever your age) by uploading a photo of yourself to any public social media channel using the hashtag #loveismoving. We’ll use these photos in an animated Love Is Moving mosaic we are building to highlight the collaborative character of this movement (see a one-minute video). Pass along this invitation – and the link to our latest issue – to the Christian youth and young adults in your church.