THE EFC UPDATE - 2016.05.24
Uniting Evangelicals to bless Canada in the name of Jesus
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STARTING IN A FEW MINUTES:
EFC WEBINAR ON PORNOGRAPHY
Join today’s EFC webinar, scheduled for noon Eastern, and featuring Julia Beazley, EFC director of public policy. The webinar will present an overview of the problem of pornography and its connection to human trafficking. It will also explore practical ways church leaders can equip their congregations to resist and fight it. Join us to add your own contributions to the discussion and learn more on this challenging issue. Join the webinar now!
ADD YOUR VOICE ON CONSCIENCE PROTECTION
Proposals to add conscience protection to Bill C-14, the government’s proposal to legalize assisted suicide, need your support! Motion No. 14 by MP Michael Cooper may be voted on as soon as May 30. Recommendation #7 in a Senate committee report on Bill C-14 recommends a clause on conscience protection. Also, private member's Bill C-268 would make it an offence to compel a health care provider to participate in medical assistance in dying. The EFC website has a sample letter you can use to contact your MP.
LATEST ON ASSISTED-SUICIDE LAW
Parliament is on break this week and MPs are in their local riding offices. When Parliament resumes on May 30, the House of Commons will begin the final debate and vote on Bill C-14. The Senate committee conducting a pre-study of Bill C-14 has issued its report and its recommendations include a clause on conscience protection. Once passed in the House of Commons, C-14 will be sent to the Senate. In recent weeks EFC leaders have repeatedly presented concerns about Bill C-14 to government bodies. Check out the EFC’s May 11 appearance on the TV show 100 Huntley Street (12-minute video) for a popular summary, or read/watch the actual presentations to government.
A SPEAKER FOR YOUR GROUP?
Consider inviting an EFC speaker for your group or church. Find a list of popular topics at theEFC.ca/speakers. A recent example: On May 20 the EFC’s Rick Hiemstra led a presentation and discussion with pastors from the Atlantic District of the Wesleyan Church on the “State of the Church in Canada.”
COMING EVENTS AT THEEFC.CA/CALENDAR
→ World Vision Church Leaders Forum, Calgary/Edm./Vanc., May 25/26/27
→ Women of Grace Retreats, Huntsville, May 27-29/June 3-5
→ Umbrella Conf. on Disabilities, Calgary, June 3-4
→ Equipped for Excellence Human Resources Seminar, Oakville, June 3
→ Fellowship of Christian Peace Officers Conf., Moncton, June 3-4
→ Writing Workshops, Kelowna, June 4
→ Salon du livre chrétien évangélique, Montréal, June 4
COMING TO MONCTON, JUNE 6
EFC President Bruce Clemenger and Don McNiven, the EFC’s director of affiliate and donor relations, will be participating in a “Town Hall”-style meeting in Moncton June 6 at 7 p.m. AST, hosted by Hillside Baptist Church. Topics including euthanasia and gender dysphoria and their impact on the church and society.
MEET YOU IN YOUR NEIGHBOURHOOD
Don McNiven, the EFC’s director of affiliate and donor relations, is visiting across Ontario during May and then New Brunswick and Nova Scotia the week of June 6. His itinerary also includes Alberta in July, Ontario in August, PEI and Nova Scotia in September and Ontario in October. He would be delighted to visit with supporters in those places to discuss the programs of the EFC and current research initiatives. Contact him at McNivenD@theEFC.ca or call 416-902-9110.
IMPRISONED IN NORTH KOREA
An article on The Disturbing Case of Hyeon Soo Lim in the EFC’s magazine summarizes the story of a Mississauga pastor sentenced to life in prison with hard labour. Faith Today interviewed those who know him well along with experts on North Korea. Many people are praying for his release, and after reading this article you may want to join them.
“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. Faith Today, the EFC’s 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 at FaithToday.ca/subscriptions or toll-free 1-866-302-3362.
LATEST POST AT FAITHTODAY.CA/BLOG
→ What counts as a flourishing congregation in Canada? by Joel Thiessen
COULD YOUR CONGREGATION AFFILIATE?
Congregations that affiliate with the EFC take a public stand for religious freedom, collaboration for ministry effectiveness, and the importance of bringing biblical principles to Canadian law and public policy. Join hundreds of other congregations from more than 40 denominations at work in “uniting Evangelicals to bless Canada in the name of Jesus” at theEFC.ca/affiliate.