THE EFC UPDATE - 2015.01.27
Together for influence, impact and identity
Sign up to receive the EFC Update via email every Tuesday to keep up with current news from The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada.
THE EFC AT HUMAN TRAFFICKING PRESENTATION
To help explain Canada’s new laws on prostitution, the EFC’s Julia Beazley spoke at a Human Trafficking awareness evening last Sunday at the Meeting House in Newmarket, Ont. She explained how the EFC has long argued for laws recognizing those who are prostituted as vulnerable victims of exploitation. She explained that the new laws make it illegal to buy sex or advertise the sale of someone else’s sexual services. Most importantly, she said, the new laws also replace the historic understanding of people who are prostituted as public nuisances with the new recognition that the vast majority are not in prostitution by choice. Several other speakers at the event addressed other aspects of human trafficking. .
WILL ONTARIO ENFORCE PROSTITUTION LAW?
EFC President Bruce J. Clemenger wrote a letter in December to Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne in response to comments reported in the media suggesting the Government of Ontario might not enforce Canada’s new prostitution laws over concerns about their constitutionality. Defend Dignity, an EFC affiliate, is encouraging Canadians to write our own letters to government on the issue.
NEW PARTNER WEBSITE
As part of its aim to protect religious freedom in Canada, the EFC participates in several partnerships and coalitions. One such group, founded in connection with the G8 summit of 2010, is called the Canadian Interfaith Conversation. In 2013 it responded to the Quebec government’s proposed “Quebec Charter of Values” with a statement regarding the positive contribution that faith communities can make in Canadian society. Recently this group launched a new website at www.interfaithconversation.ca.
CHURCH NETWORK TRANSFORMING CITY
Faith Today reports on True City, a network of churches in Hamilton, Ont., that are helping transform Canada’s ninth-largest city. Read about it in the latest issue and subscribe today for our best prices ever! For a limited time only $2.99 per issue at faithtoday.ca/subscriptions.
LATEST POSTS AT BLOG.FAITHTODAY.CA
→Meetings That Are Fun? TrueCity Conference Binds Movement Together, By Matthew Forrest Lowe
→Five Ways to Incorporate Lament in Worship, by Stacey Gleddiesmith
→Writing About War From a Comfortable Chair, by Gordon Heath
COMING EVENTS AT THEEFC.CA/CALENDAR
→Ecclesia Arise conference, Ottawa, Jan. 30-31
→Missions Fest Vancouver, Jan. 30-Feb. 1
→Making Peace With Church webinar, Feb. 3
EXAMINING RELIGION AND PUBLIC LIFE IN VANCOUVER
EFC leaders Bruce Clemenger and Aileen Van Ginkel will chair sessions at the Our Whole Society conference, March 22-24 in Vancouver. Registration is now open for the event, which addresses how religion can and ought to play a vital role in public life.
PRAYER SUMMIT REFRESHES QUEBEC LEADERS
French evangelical leaders are gathered today as part of a two-days prayer summit, an event held each January for 17 years. The EFC's Quebec director, Pierre Bergeron, is with the group in Granby, Que., this year as they together seek God's leading.
CULTURAL EVENTS ARE READY-MADE MISSION OPPORTUNITIES
Our communities have many mission opportunities ready-made and waiting for us, in the shape of festivals, fairs and cultural events, writes Edmonton church planter Thomas Brauer. He suggests how we can make the most of these opportunities at the EFC website Christianity.ca, Canada’s Christian library online.