THE EFC UPDATE - 2016.11.22
Uniting Evangelicals to bless Canada in the name of Jesus
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FAITH GROUPS RENEW CALL FOR IMPROVED PALLIATIVE CARE
The EFC and other faith groups have renewed their call for high-quality palliative care. Last week they sent an interfaith letter of support for MP Marilyn Gladu’s bill that would commit government to create a palliative care framework (aussi disponible en français). You can also write to your MP asking them to support Bill C-277 using our sample letter.
TOMORROW’S EFC WEBINAR: PORNOGRAPHY AND PUBLIC HEALTH
What is the price of the widespread use of pornography to our society – especially on the developing brains of our young people? What can churches do? Register now at TheEFC.ca/Webinars to join us us tomorrow (Nov. 23) as we tackle these questions with Julia Beazley, the EFC’s director of public policy, and Glendyne Gerrard, director of Defend Dignity.
ENCOURAGE YOUR MP TO LEARN ABOUT THE IMPACT OF PORN…
Please encourage your MP to attend a special Parliament Hill presentation next week (Nov. 29) on the public health impacts of pornography. You can use these talking points provided by the EFC to call or email your MP to encourage them to hear Cordelia Anderson, founder of the US National Coalition to Prevent Child Sexual Abuse & Exploitation. Anderson is being hosted by the EFC and Defend Dignity.
…AND ASK YOUR MP TO SUPPORT A STUDY ON THE IMPACT OF PORN
A vote is expected in the next few weeks on whether to ask the parliamentary health committee to study the impact of easily accessible, violent and degrading sexual images online. Support is growing across party lines for MP Arnold Viersen’s motion M-47, and the motion has a chance of passing in the House of Commons. The EFC offers a sample letter you can use to ask your MP to support this motion.
DENOUNCING RELIGIOUS-TARGETED VANDALISM
EFC President Bruce Clemenger joined other faith leaders and politicians at an event held at Machzikei Hadas Synagogue in Ottawa this past Saturday. The event was a response to a series of incidents of vandalism targeting synagogues, a church and a mosque, including Machzikei Hadas. The rabbis, pastor and imam from the targeted places of worship all participated. The EFC issued a statement denouncing the vandalism last week. A local teen was recently charged.
COMING EVENTS AT THEEFC.CA/CALENDAR
→ EFC Webinar: Is Pornography a Public Health Issue? Nov. 23
→ Vancouver Consultation City Summit, Nov. 24-25
→ CYWC Regional Youth Ministry Training, Moncton, Nov. 25-26
→ Promise Keepers Quest Conference, St. John’s, Nov. 26
→ Entrepreneurial Leaders Conference, Vancouver, Nov. 30
Add your upcoming event for free.
HOW DOES GOD LOVE YOUR CITY?
A multidenominational consultation is examining how God is at work across 23 neighbourhoods in Vancouver. Read a two-page article about the amazing results shaping up from this initiative in the Nov/Dec issue of Faith Today, Canada’s Christian magazine. Or subscribe now to get a printed copy.
THREE CHRISTMAS GIFTS FOR THE PRICE OF ONE
Limited-time offer! Canada’s Christian magazine lets you give two gift subscriptions free if you buy a third subscription for yourself or someone else! Get details at our 3for1 webpage or by calling toll-free 1-866-302-3362. EFC magazine subscriptions are great for all ages, since they include both Faith Today and our youth magazine, Love Is Moving.
PRAYER FOR THE PERSECUTED CHURCH
Has your church prayed for persecuted Christians this November? Get free resources to join this annual international event at www.IDOP.ca. Although some churches held special prayers Nov. 13, your group can do it anytime.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
→ Now hiring (deadline Nov.30): EFC executive vice-president
→ EFC Presidents Day 2016
→ EFC blog post: Too Many Victims: Child neglect and the response of our churches
→ EFC blog post: Hope in Exile for Canadian Christians Today
→ EFC blog post: How Roman Catholics see Evangelicals
→ Invite an EFC speaker to your school, worship service or other group