Responding to Canada Summer Jobs Program Changes
The federal government now requires employers applying for the Canada Summer Jobs grant program to attest that the job and their core mandate do not discriminate on the basis of religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. Furthermore, they must affirm respect for "values underlying the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms as well as other rights" including abortion.
If an employer is unable to affirm this, the application will be considered void.
Please continue to pray about this issue of religious freedom and to contact your local MP and Employment Minister Patty Hadju about the changes to the Canada Summer Jobs guidelines. For more information, see the EFC's new update video and our FAQ page, as well as our information page on the Canada Summer Jobs Grants policy change.
Youth and Young Adult Ministry Survey
Do you do ministry with youth or young adults? The EFC and its partners are conducting a 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 from 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 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.
How One Canadian Church is Grappling with Reconciliation Issues
This fall Vancouver pastor and author Ken Shigematsu preached a sermon on reconciliation with First Nations peoples that was honest, painful, inspiring and received an unexpected level of attention. His sermon "Seeking Truth and Reconciliation" is reprinted online at Preaching Today.com. Ken spoke to us for The EFC Podcast about why reconciliation is so important right now in Canada, and the essential role Canadian congregations can play.
FT Interview with Aimee Patterson
Aimee Patterson is a Christian ethics consultant with The Salvation Army Ethics Centre in Winnipeg. She spoke to Faith Today about sexual ethics in the Church, what pastors need to watch for and the #metoo campaign.
EFC Director in GTA, Coming to Calgary
Don McNiven, the EFC’s Director of Affiliate and Donor Relations, will soon be making visits in and around the Greater Toronto Area. He will be in Toronto, Oakville, Brampton, Georgetown and other GTA locations from January 15-19. From February 5-9 he will also be visiting in 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.
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→ Understanding and Answering Islam, online & streamed at various churches live, Jan. 12-13
→ Strategic Management Certificate Course, Toronto, four Saturdays starting Jan. 13
→ 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, North York, eight Monday evenings starting Jan. 22
→ 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
→ Wycliffe/Faith Today Religion and Society Debate, Toronto (and online), Jan. 26
→ La rencontre au sommet, Granby, Jan. 29-31
→ Missionfest Manitoba, Winnipeg, Feb. 2-4
→ Reconciliation resources
→ Top blog posts of 2017 for Faith Today
In Case You Missed It
→ Christmas Gifts for your Pastor
→ Strong Words on Religious Freedom
→ Rev. Lim and the Church That Prayed Him Out