Ask Your MP to Maintain Protection for Clergy
Bill C-51, intended to remove redundant or out-of-date provisions from the Criminal Code, would also remove specific protection for clergy and religious services. The EFC has information and a sample letter to MPs that you can use to ask for changes to Bill C-51 to maintain these protections.
EFC Vice-Presidents Attend Reconciliation Event
EFC Vice-Presidents David Guretzki and Aileen van Ginkel were at Canadian Mennonite University in Winnipeg last week to facilitate a conversation about denominational efforts on reconciliation with Indigenous communities. The conversation was particularly meant to respond to the recommendations for churches by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. You can see photos of the event on Facebook.
Next Webinar: Pornography Recovery
Do you or a person you care about need help to move away from the use of pornography? Join us on Wednesday, October 18 at noon EDT for this free EFC webinar featuring Toni Dolfo-Smith, Vancouver-based founder and executive director of Journey Canada, and Dianne Kuglin, a Medicine Hat-based addictions counsellor. Register here. Find recordings of past webinars at www.TheEFC.ca/Webinars.
The EFC Submits Recommendations to the UN
The EFC recently submitted recommendations for Canada to the United Nations on sexual exploitation, prostitution, human trafficking, pornography and religious freedom. This joint submission by the EFC and World Evangelical Alliance is part of a UN process called the Universal Periodic Review which examines human rights in countries worldwide.
New Canada Watch
The new Oct/Nov issue of Canada Watch, the EFC’s bimonthly newsletter, is now available. In four short pages you can read: Help the EFC protect religious freedom for everyone; Updating you on Canada's most immediate issues; Message from the president; Learn online with EFC webinars; and more.
The EFC Provides Evidence Against Expanding Assisted Suicide
Bill C-14, the legislation permitting assisted suicide, mandated further study on expanding access to medical assistance in dying. The government has asked the non-profit Council for Canadian Academies (CCA) to study this issue and report back to Parliament. In response, the EFC has submitted evidence against expanding euthanasia and assisted suicide to mature minors, those with a mental illness as the sole underlying condition and those using advance request. See the EFC’s two-page brief to the CCA and backgrounder of evidence on our website.
“Love Is Moving” TV Segment Featuring the Canadian Youth Workers Conference
This week on Outside the Box with Sheldon Neil, the Love Is Moving segment features the Canadian Youth Workers Conference, an amazing conference that equips youth workers across Canada. This TV segment is part of a regular segment on Outside the Box featuring the EFC’s youth initiative Love Is Moving.
Do you have a young person in your life? Encourage them to check out this show every Friday at 10 a.m. and 8:30 p.m. on YesTV. Past episodes are available on the Outside the Box website.
EFC Director in Kingston/Belleville and Nova Scotia
The EFC’s Director of Affiliate and Donor Relations, Don McNiven, will be visiting the Kingston/Belleville area the week of October 23-27, 2017 and Nova Scotia from November 6-10. If you’d like to meet with him, just email Don and he’ll be happy to arrange a meeting. The Nova Scotia trip will include two presentations by Don: November 9 at 7:30 p.m. at Faith Tabernacle Church and November 10 at 9:00 a.m. at Grace Chapel. RSVP by email to Bonnie Knoll by November 5 if you are interested in attending either presentation.
Does the Reformation Still Matter?
On October 31 this year, many Christians are celebrating the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. Some may be asking why, as modern-day Christians, we should still care. EFC Vice-President and Resident Theologian David Guretzki provides three reasons why we should.
You can read this article and many others on faith and current issues in Faith Today, Canada’s Christian magazine, which is currently offering 2-for-1 gift subscriptions at www.FaithToday.ca/2for1. Buy a gift that lasts all year! Discounted offer only available for a limited time.
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→ Change Conference for Youth, Toronto, Oct. 13-14
→ Saturate – the Gospel in everyday life, Montréal, Oct. 13-14
→ EFC Webinar: Recovery from pornography, online, Oct. 18
→ Muslim Ministry in a Complicated World, Chicago, Oct. 18-21
→ Global Leadership Summit, Willow Creek, simulcast, various locations, Oct. 19-20
→ Children’s Ministry Seminar: Creative Ways to Equip the Next Generation, Oct. 21
→ Gather Rise 2017, Surrey, Oct. 21
→ Write Canada Online 2017, online, Oct. 21
→ Promise Keepers Canada All In Conference, Calgary, Oct. 21; Grande Prairie, Oct. 28
→ Conference Ministère auprès des enfants/Youth Ministry Conference, Montréal, Oct. 21; Sherbrooke, Oct. 28
→ Messy Church Conference 2017, Toronto, Oct. 26-27
→ Every hour counts: A call to create beauty and other great things well
In Case You Missed It
→ EFC Statement on Edmonton and Las Vegas Attacks
→ EFC’s Julia Beazley on CBC Radio
→ Latest Podcast: Tough Call in a Tough World
→ Be kind to those in your church living with mental illness and mental health challenges
→ Is your daughter safer at a Christian college?
→ Ten things about sexual assault students should know