Three Options for Responding to Canada Summer Jobs Program Changes
What options do churches and ministries have to cope with the government’s changes to the Canada Summer Jobs program? The EFC just released a helpful new document outlining three strategies for dealing with the newly required “attestation,” which many Christians don’t feel they can agree to. Please continue to pray about this issue of religious freedom 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 February 2. 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).
Join our Canada Summer Jobs Webinar on Thursday
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 "reproductive rights” such as abortion and unspecified "other rights" and "values." 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 guests Julia Beazley, Director of Public Policy for the EFC, and Barry Bussey, Director of 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 for free.
Thank You for Praying for the TWU Case
A new video expresses thanks to everyone who responded to our joint call to prayer for religious freedom in late 2017 and gives updates about the Supreme Court case involving Trinity Western University. Prayer has been crucial to this case and is still needed as we await the court’s decision, expected to be a few months from now. The video features EFC President Bruce Clemenger; John Pellowe, Executive Director of the Canadian Council of Christian Charities; and Derek Ross, Executive Director of Christian Legal Fellowship.
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.
Update on the Roman Catholic-Evangelical Dialogue
The national Roman Catholic–Evangelical Dialogue, co-facilitated by the EFC and Canadian Council of Catholic Bishops (CCCB), met in December in Mississauga, Ont., to discuss evangelization, vocation and mission. Read more.
Religion and Society Debate This Friday
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 in their communities.
Podcasts on Using the Arts to Nourish Your Faith
Did you enjoy Faith Today’s cover story on the arts in 2016? You can now listen to two podcasts of that article, including Artful Discipleship by Carolyn Arends and Simple Ways to Nourish Your Spirit with the Arts. Listeners can access the EFC Podcast at Google Play, iTunes, SoundCloud, and RSS (Feedburner).
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. Joel will 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. Photos from the most recent CYWC conference in Surrey, B.C. are now on Love Is Moving Instagram.
Journey of Reconciliation
What does reconciliation look like from a First Nations perspective? Cheryl Bear is Nadleh Whut’en from the Dakelh Nation and Dumdenyoo Clan (Bear Clan) in central B.C. Read her views on what reconciliation should look like in the Jan/Feb Faith Today.
The Call to the Mountains
Will Brown describes the hopes and fears that come with uprooting your family and travelling to a new land for the sake of ministry. “Your calling may not involve a move across the country, but know He has designed and gifted you for a specific purpose. Consider the things you are clinging to, the things that are keeping you in a place of complacency, the things that have created a barrier between you and the Father.” Read his article and more in the latest issue of the EFC's Love Is Moving magazine.
EFC Director Coming to Calgary
From March 5-9, Don McNiven, the EFC's Director of Affiliate and Donor Relations, will be visiting Calgary. If you’re interested in a visit, contact his assistant Bonnie Knoll.
Coming Events at TheEFC.ca/calendar
Publicize your event for free.
→ EFC Webinar on Summer Jobs Controversy, online, Jan. 25
→ What is the Meaning of Life? Debate, Toronto, Jan. 26
→ Canadian Youth Workers Conference, 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
→ Worship Central Conference, Vancouver, Feb. 16-17
→ Youth Quake, Saskatchewan, Feb. 16-18
→ Toll-free line offered now in Canada to help with end-of-life decisions
In Case You Missed It
→ How One Canadian Church is Grappling with Reconciliation Issues: Ken Shigematsu Podcast
→ Let the Sermon Be Interrupted: The Church, First Nations, and Reconciliation
→ Ten commandments of a disability-friendly church