THE EFC UPDATE - 2016.06.21
Uniting Evangelicals to bless Canada in the name of Jesus
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LAMENTING ASSISTED-SUICIDE LAW
Bill C-14, the assisted suicide and euthanasia law, was passed last Friday. This law establishes who is eligible to request hastened death and some safeguards to govern the practices. The EFC completely opposes euthanasia and assisted suicide, and issued a lament as part of its initial one-page response (aussi disponible en français) to the passing of Bill C-14 into law. Today the EFC released an nine-page overview of the new legislation’s passage, what it does and issues of concern going forward.
DOCTORS SEEK REVIEW ON ASSISTED-SUICIDE REFERRALS
Three physician groups in the Coalition for HealthCARE and Conscience, of which the EFC is a part, are seeking an expedited judicial review of an Ontario policy (made by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario) that requires doctors to make effective referrals for procedures that violate their conscience, like physician assisted suicide. Read more.
WE’RE HIRING IN ONTARIO! APPLY BY JULY 1
The EFC has an opening for a nine-month Administration and Accounting Position at our office in Richmond Hill, Ont. We are looking for a committed individual who can work a 35-hour week or a job-sharing arrangement by multiple individuals who divide the 35 hours between them. Application deadline July 1.
HOW IMPORTANT ARE MISSIONS TO YOUR CHURCH?
The EFC is partnering with the Canadian Missions Research Forum on a first-of-its-kind study of how Canadian Evangelicals engage with missions. Would you ask your pastor to participate by completing either the English or French version of the survey?
WRITE CANADA, JUNE 23-25
Canada’s biggest annual conference for writers and publishers from the Christian community will be held in Toronto this week. A variety of EFC staff will be attending, including Ben Porter and Joel Gordon, the leaders of the Love Movement, which gathers together the EFC’s various youth initiatives. It’s not too late to register. Look for exhibitor booths from the EFC and Faith Today! Registration details at www.thewordguild.com.
WORLD REFUGEE SUNDAY, JUNE 26
Join others around the world to commemorate the strength, courage and resilience of those who have suffered under the global refugee crisis. Resources including videos, posters and graphics from Mennonite Central Committee Canada and RefugeeHighway.net are available to help you include this annual event in your worship service June 26.
COMING EVENTS AT THEEFC.CA/CALENDAR
→ National Aboriginal Day, June 21
→ Connect Youth Worker Training, Toronto, June 22
→ Believers’ Church Conference, Wolfville, N.S., June 22-25
→ Muslims, Missions and the Heart of God, Michigan, June 23-24
→ Men for God Conference, Surrey, B.C., June 24-25
→ Marche pour Jesus, Montreal, June 25
MEET YOU IN YOUR NEIGHBOURHOOD
Don McNiven, the EFC’s director of affiliate and donor relations, will visit Alberta July 11-15, Ontario in August, PEI and Nova Scotia in September and Ontario in October. He would be delighted to visit with supporters to discuss the programs of the EFC and current research initiatives. Email him or call 416-902-9110.
HELPING SOMEONE IN CULT LAND
What can you do when a child or friend is involved in a false religion? Columnist James A. Beverley shares his many years of experience on this question in the May/June issue of Faith Today, Canada’s Christian magazine.
LATEST POST AT FAITHTODAY.CA/BLOG
→ New Canadian film series makes faith sharing easier, by Donna Lamothe
“SPRING” FAITH TODAY ON SOMEONE YOU LOVE
Want to order a subscription for someone to Faith Today, Canada’s Christian magazine? It makes a great gift that lasts all year. This EFC bimonthly magazine helps readers to be better informed, equipped and connected! As an added bonus, subscriptions now also include our free new youth magazine, Love Is Moving. Details: FaithToday.ca/subscriptions or toll-free at 1-866-302-3362.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:
→ EFC interfaith statement on palliative care (aussi disponible en français)
→ Recorded EFC webinar on what your church can do to keep this generation of young people
→ EFC lawyer says the case of the proposed law school at Trinity Western University is “the most important religious freedom case since the Charter has been implemented” (in the June/July issue of Canada Watch, an EFC newsletter)