EFC Leaders at Justice Committee Meeting on Bill C-51
The EFC continues to call on the federal government to maintain legal protections for worship services and clergy in the Criminal Code. Bill C-51 would remove these specific religious protections leaving only general ones. Read the EFC’s oral comments or written brief to the Justice Committee, delivered yesterday by EFC President Bruce Clemenger and Public Policy Director Julia Beazley. Your call or email to your MP to ask for Bill C-51 to keep protection for religious gatherings can make a difference. See the EFC’s sample letter on Bill C-51.
Faith Today Columns Mark 500th Anniversary of the Reformation
As we mark the 500th anniversary of the Reformation today, don’t miss this article by EFC Vice-President David Guretzki, who writes that we should never forget the priority of God’s grace.
Meanwhile, Faith Today columnist John G. Stackhouse Jr. comments on the humble beginnings of the Reformation, “The critical and creative springs of the Reformation did not emerge from the great centres of Europe – not in London or Paris, Rome or Castile, Prague or Vienna.”
Faith Today history columnist Kevin Flatt says, “The faith of the Reformation has burned in the hearts of Canadians from the very beginning of European presence in North America.” The Protestants’ high regard for knowing and understanding the Bible also led to an emphasis on education and the establishment of many educational institutions across the country, from the University of New Brunswick to the University of Toronto.
You can read these articles and 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.
EFC President to Participate on M-103 Panel on Discrimination
EFC President Bruce Clemenger will appear Nov. 6 before a government committee studying systemic racism and religious discrimination, mandated by Motion M-103. Clemenger has been asked to give an opening statement to the committee and subsequently answer rounds of committee members’ questions as part of an hour-long panel before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage.
The EFC Intervenes in Supreme Court “Wall” Case and “Ktunaxa” Case
The Supreme Court of Canada is scheduled to hear the Wall v. Judicial Committee of the Highwood Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses case on November 2, 2017. This case concerns whether courts have the jurisdiction to review the membership decisions of religious communities and other voluntary associations. The EFC will argue that it is important for religious communities to be able to define their membership and to protect their religious character, identity and integrity. The EFC is co-intervening with the Catholic Civil Rights League.
Also on November 2, the Supreme Court will release its decision in the Ktunaxa case. The EFC and the Christian Legal Fellowship co-intervened last December in this religious freedom case.
Presidents Day in Montreal
Last week, leaders of many ministries affiliated with the EFC gathered in Montreal for the annual event known as Presidents Day. You can see photos and video from the event on Facebook.
Panel on Interfaith Partnership in Advocacy
On Nov. 15, the EFC’s Julia Beazley will participate in a panel on interfaith partnership in advocacy hosted by the Jewish Federation of Ottawa. The discussion is a collaborative effort between Jewish groups to inform the community and its agencies about the current issues affecting Ottawa’s Jewish community. All are welcome. See RSVP details using the link above.
Refugee Sponsorship Webinar
Registration is now open for our next webinar on Nov. 16 at noon EST. Catch up on the latest developments with private refugee sponsorship and hear from Canadians who have worked directly with incoming refugee families in the last 18 months. Our three guests are Brian Dyck, Kathy Mercer and Jacqueline Derrah. Brian is the migration and resettlement program coordinator at Mennonite Central Committee Canada and the chair of the Canadian National Refugee Sponsorship Agreement Holder Association. Kathy is the coordinator of welcome and settlement for the Port Perry Refugee Support Group. Jacqueline is with the Canadian Baptists of Atlantic Canada. Find recordings of past webinars at www.TheEFC.ca/Webinars.
“Love Is Moving” TV Segment Featuring Youth for Christ Stories
This week’s Love Is Moving segment on Outside the Box with Sheldon Neil features amazing life stories of transformation from Youth for Christ. This segment is part of a regular segment on Outside the Box featuring the EFC’s youth initiative Love Is Moving. Encourage the teens and young adults you know 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.
Meet the EFC in Nova Scotia
The EFC’s Director of Affiliate and Donor Relations, Don McNiven, is visiting Nova Scotia from November 6-10. Interested in meeting Don McNiven while he’s there? Just email his assistant Bonnie Knoll, and Don will be happy to meet with you. The trip includes two Halifax presentations by Don and Sheldon MacLeod, EFC Ambassador: 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.
Publicize your event for free.
→ Adoption Awareness Month, Nationwide, Nov. 1-30
→ Transforming Discipleship, Abbotsford, Nov. 1-3
→ Foundations of Media Strategy Course, online, Nov. 2
→ Business as a Calling, Vancouver, Nov. 2-4
→ What Makes Churches Grow? St. Catharines, Nov. 4
→ Promise Keepers Canada Legacy Equipping Conference, Grand Falls-Windsor, Nov. 4
→ Canada Glass Awards for Gospel Music, Toronto, Nov. 4
→ Youth Night for Mental Health, Ottawa, Nov. 4
→ Redesigning the Tree of the Life: Synthetic Biology and the Future of Food, Toronto, Nov. 2-5
→ Understanding People, Mental Health & Trauma, Burlington, Nov. 6-10
→ Church and Charity Law Seminar, Mississauga, Nov. 9
→ Meet the EFC in Halifax, Halifax, Nov. 9-10
→ Day of Prayer for Religious Freedom, Nov. 26
In Case You Missed It
→ It’s “us too” for Christian women, even in the church
→ Give thanks continually…to the people you work with
→ Evangelicals Still Reaching for Reconciliation with Indigenous People
→ Interfaith Letter on Palliative Care
→ EFC Public Policy Director to Speak on Bill C-51
→ Lack of Action from Study on Pornography's Harms
→ New Canada Watch