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March 8, 2015

07 March 2015

THE EFC UPDATE - 2015.03.08
Uniting Evangelicals to bless Canada in the name of Jesus

Sign up to receive the EFC Update via email every Tuesday to keep up with current news from The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada.

CHALLENGING REPORT ON ASSISTED DYING
The Special Joint Committee on Physician-Assisted Dying has made some deeply troubling recommendations to Parliament on euthanasia and assisted suicide. The committee’s February 25 report recommends far more expansive access to assisted death than the Supreme Court decision in Carter required. The committee recommends no requirement for a terminal or physical illness to be eligible for assisted death, that individuals with a psychiatric condition or psychological suffering be eligible without psychiatric assessment, and that euthanasia and assisted suicide be made available to mature minors within three years. Read the EFC’s analysis at theEFC.ca/AssistedDyingReportAnalysis.

SIGN UP FOR EFC WEBINAR ON ASSISTED SUICIDE, MAR. 31
A parliamentary committee recently submitted its controversial proposals on assisted suicide, including no minimum age requirement or terminal physical illness requirement but requiring doctors and institutions to participate. Join us Mar. 31 to explore the impact the recommendations could have, the responses they have been receiving, and to consider a way forward. Register now at theEFC.ca/webinars.

CONTACTING YOUR MP
Don’t wait for the upcoming webinar to interact with your local Member of Parliament about euthanasia and assisted suicide. You can find all the basics you need to start this crucial conversation at theEFC.ca/EuthanasiaUrgentAction.

CALLING PARLIAMENT TO PROTECT VULNERABLE PERSONS
The EFC joins disability, health and faith organizations in supporting the Vulnerable Persons Standard. The EFC is completely opposed to euthanasia and assisted suicide, and our staff are working to support the strongest possible protection for vulnerable persons if the government proceeds with permissive legislation against our urging. The Vulnerable Persons Standard calls on Parliament to establish strict safeguards to protect vulnerable people in any legislation allowing physician-assisted death. It was developed by leading Canadian physicians, lawyers, ethicists and representative organizations for people with disabilities and the needs of vulnerable persons.

MEET US ON THE WEST OR EAST COAST
The EFC’s new director of affiliate and donor relations, Don McNiven, will be in the Langley, Surrey and Vancouver area from March 15 to 17 and visiting New Brunswick and Nova Scotia the week of June 6. He would be delighted to visit with supporters there to discuss the programs of the EFC and a current research extension of the Canadian Bible Engagement Study. Inquiries welcome at McNivenD@theEFC.ca or call 416-902-9110.

COMING EVENTS AT THEEFC.CA/CALENDAR 
→ Climate Action After Paris, Ottawa, Mar. 9
→ EFC Speaker in Lloydminster, Alta., Mar. 13
→ Religion Not a Threat: Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, Toronto, Mar. 15
→ Jesus to the Nations Missions Conference, Halifax, Mar. 18-20
→ God, Science & the Universe, simulcast from Toronto, Mar. 19

INVITE US FOR A VISIT
The EFC’s Rick Hiemstra spoke last Sunday at a joint Lenten service in Athens, Ont., held by a Christian Reformed congregation and a Baptist congregation. He preached from John 15 and 16 on the work of the Holy Spirit. Consider inviting an EFC speaker for your group or church at theEFC.ca/speakers.

THE EFC CONTRIBUTES TO GLOBAL STRATEGIES
EFC President Bruce Clemenger has returned from Seoul, Korea, where he attended the international leadership forum held by The World Evangelical Alliance. The forum brought together some 90 leaders from 40 countries to strengthen partnership in key issues facing the Church today. Clemenger, a member of the WEA’s International Council, participated in the meetings which included a trip to the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) between North and South Korea and meetings with Korean pastors.

FAITH TODAY – THE MONEY ISSUE
The Mar/Apr 2016 issue of Faith Today magazine is now available, with a cover story on money by Rod Wilson, former president of Regent College. In “Being, Doing, Having: The Strange and Beguiling Complexities of Money” he challenges readers to make sure our focus on “doing” and “having” are built on a foundation of identity in God, and immersed in grace and gratitude. Such a biblical approach, he argues, helps us focus on generosity and giving rather than craving and consuming. Sample the issue online at FaithToday.ca/digital.

PRAYING FOR THE WORLD – FREE BOOK
Get a free copy An Insider’s Guide to Praying for the World by Brian Stiller when you subscribe to Faith Today. Brian Stiller founded Faith Today, Canada’s Christian magazine, in 1983 and now serves as a global ambassador for the World Evangelical Alliance. His new book (Baker Publishing, $17.99) identifies prayer needs and tells encouraging stories of Christian missions in different countries. Be better connected, informed and equipped this year – subscribe to Faith Today! For only $29.99 you’ll get six issues, plus a free copy of Praying for the World, plus an additional bonus – our free new youth magazine, Love Is Moving. Details at FaithToday.ca/subscriptions or toll-free 1-866-302-3362. This offer is only available for a limited time.

LATEST POSTS AT BLOG.FAITHTODAY.CA 
→ The good, the bad and the ugly about our debt, by Marta LoFranco
→ Transparency and authenticity abound in March/April Faith Today

CONTEST ANNOUNCEMENT TOMORROW
The “Give Your Pastor a Break” contest held by Faith Today will be announcing its winners tomorrow in our Facebook and Twitter streams. Or check FaithToday.ca then for a link to the news release. One pastor in each province will be winning a free getaway retreat.