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January 16, 2018

16 January 2018

Canada Summer Jobs Webinar

Churches, ministry organizations and businesses across the country may now be ineligible for the Canada Summer Jobs grant program because of new government regulations. Applicants must now attest that their core mandate and proposed summer jobs respect unspecified "other rights" and "values," including respect for "reproductive rights” such as abortion. They must also affirm that their core mandate and hiring do not discriminate on the basis of religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. Learn more about this issue at a free interactive EFC webinar on Thurs. Jan. 25 at noon EST with special guest Barry Bussey, Director, Legal Affairs for the Canadian Council of Christian Charities.

What question do you have about the Canada Summer Job Grant controversy? Are you wondering how this change impacts you and your church or organization? Send us your questions and concerns so we can address them in our upcoming webinar. Register now for the free webinar.

Responding to Canada Summer Jobs Program Changes

Please continue to pray about this issue of religious freedom (see above) and contact your local MP and Employment Minister Patty Hajdu about your concerns with the changes to the Canada Summer Jobs guidelines. The time to act is short, because the program deadline is in early February. For more information, see our information page on the Canada Summer Jobs Grants policy change (which includes links to our new video update, answers to Frequently Asked Questions, and our upcoming Jan. 25 webinar).

EFC President Bruce Clemenger in Whitby

EFC President Bruce Clemenger will be preaching at Whitby Free Methodist Church this Sunday as part of the church's annual three-week conference with a focus on outreach and missions to the community, the nation and overseas. Whitby Free Methodist Church is an EFC affiliate congregation. The theme of the conference is Build Your Kingdom Here.

EFC Vice-President David Guretzki in Ontario and Quebec

This week, EFC Vice-President David Guretzki is speaking on forgiveness and reconciliation at a military chaplains' retreat in Arnprior from January 16-18. On January 21 at 7:00 p.m., he is speaking at New Hope Christian Fellowship in Shawville, Quebec to commemorate the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.

Youth and Young Adult Ministry Survey

Do you do ministry with youth or young adults? The EFC and its partners are conducting an important survey to find out how youth and young adult ministry workers are supporting young adults as they transition from high school to the next phase in life. If you work directly or indirectly with youth or young adults in a volunteer or paid capacity, we’d like to hear from you. Click here to learn more or to take the survey. Please share the link with others you know who work with youth or young adults.

Religion and Society Debate at Wycliffe College

Philosopher and Christian apologist William Lane Craig is coming to Wycliffe College at the University of Toronto on January 26 to address the question, “Is there meaning in life?” Joining the dialogue will be Dr. Jordan Peterson, the well-known U of T psychology professor whose book Maps of Meaning: The Architecture of Belief is considered to have revolutionized the psychology of religion, and philosopher and author Dr. Rebecca Newberger Goldstein. The event is part of the Religion and Society series, which Faith Today co-sponsors. Faith Today editor Karen Stiller is moderating the debate. Churches can livestream the event from their communities.

Interested in attending? Faith Today is giving away two tickets to this event. Send your name to socialmedia@TheEFC.ca to enter a draw to win.

Love Is Moving at Canadian Youth Workers Conferences

Regional Canadian Youth Workers Conferences are being held across Canada over the next few months. Attendees will be able to meet Joel Gordon and Ben Porter, founders of the EFC’s youth initiative, Love Is Moving. Both Ben and Joel are attending the Surrey Conference this weekend, Jan. 19-20. Joel will also attend the Saskatoon conference (Jan. 26-27), while Ben will attend in Calgary (March 2-3). Both Joel and Ben will be networking and promoting Love Is Moving, which along with the EFC is a national sponsor of CYWC.

Let the Sermon Be Interrupted: The Church, First Nations and Reconciliation

Mark Buchanan, author and associate professor of pastoral theology at Ambrose University in Calgary, says Canada’s First Nations people long for reconciliation with their “white brothers.” “And yet, is reconciliation even the right word? Many First Nations people don’t think so. Many observe reconciliation implies restoring the relationship to a former level of mutual warmth and trust and affection and intimacy. In most cases no such former relationship ever existed between Indigenous people and European settlers in Canada…. What we need is a new story. A fresh beginning. A do-over. But to get to a new story, all of us must first become keenly aware of – and, I suggest, deeply troubled by – the story we actually have.” Read more in the Jan/Feb Faith Today.

The Quagmire of Calling

In issue 25 of the EFC’s young adult magazine Love Is Moving, Sawyer Bullock writes about seeking the will of God in one’s vocational life: “The call to follow Christ and participate in His redemptive work is at the root of every other calling. For example, the Apostle Paul was called to be a missionary to the Gentiles, but he made tents to cover his expenses. Same with us – our lives as Christians do include, but aren’t limited to, our occupations.”

EFC Director in GTA, Coming to Calgary

Don McNiven, the EFC’s Director of Affiliate and Donor Relations, will be making visits in and around the Greater Toronto Area this week and also in February. This week, Don is in Toronto, Oakville, Brampton and Georgetown. From February 5-9 he will be visiting Richmond Hill and Markham. From March 5-9 Don will be visiting Calgary. If you’re interested in a visit contact his assistant Bonnie Knoll.

Coming Events at TheEFC.ca/calendar

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→ Becoming Whole: Relational Healing and Transformation in Christ, Pierrefonds, Jan. 18-20
→ Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, worldwide, Jan. 18-25
→ Children’s Ministry Diploma Course (Creative Lab – Level 1), North York, Jan. 22
→ What is the Meaning of Life? Debate, Toronto, Jan. 26
→ Canadian Youth Workers Conference, Surrey, Jan. 19-20; Saskatoon, Jan. 26-27
→ Missions Fest 2018, Vancouver, Jan. 26-27
→ Break Forth One, Edmonton, Jan. 26-28
→ La rencontre au sommet, Granby, Jan. 29-31
→ Missionfest Manitoba, Winnipeg, Feb. 2-4
→ Multiply Conference, Vancouver, Feb. 7-8
→ Going Deeper – Empowering Prayer Saturation, Bramalea, Feb. 10