THE EFC UPDATE - 2015.09.15
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EFC ELECTION WEBINAR SEPT. 23
Canada is in the midst of an election campaign, the results of which could shape our country for years to come. Why should Christians be involved? Howcan we be involved? The EFC webinar on Election 2015 will help equip you as a voter and your church as an organization to participate as effectively as possible within the clear boundaries of electoral rules in Canada. We will explore the “hot topics” and equip you with questions you can ask your candidates. And we’ll explore your questions as they come during the webinar. Join us live on Sept. 23 at 1:00 p.m. Eastern time. Register at theEFC.ca/webinar.
ELECTION 2015: KEY ISSUES, CHURCH PARTICIPATION
What are the key issues we should be talking about with the politicians knocking on our doors? Can a church hold an all-candidates’ debate? What can we do to improve the tone and agenda of the election campaign? Here are two great resources to help reflect on these questions: "Someone is looking for your vote” by EFC President Bruce Clemenger in the latest issue of Faith Today. Maintenant disponible en français / Now also available in French!
QUEBEC EVANGELICALS TO LAUNCH LEADERS NETWORK
Leaders of 15 evangelical denominations in Quebec are officially launching a new network, the “Réseau des Évangéliques Québécois,” on Oct. 1 in Fabreville, Que. The network, which began to form in June 2013 in Montreal, also includes the EFC as a special non-denominational member. The RÉQ exists to foster relationships of trust, provide a discussion platform to reflect on the Church in Quebec and find common projects that require collaboration. Evangelical leaders in Quebec are invited to attend, and the group also plans to webcast the event.
SUPPORTING REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT
Months before all the media headlines about a refugee crisis, the EFC was working behind the scenes on a collaborative approach to refugee resettlement. The latest post at theEFC.ca/blog offers background. Find out what you and your church can do at theEFC.ca/MiddleEastRefugees.
EFC PRESIDENT AT THE CANADIAN CONFERENCE OF CATHOLIC BISHOPS
EFC President Bruce J. Clemenger is attending the plenary assembly of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, held Sept. 14–18 in Cornwall, Ont. The EFC is one of a few Protestant organizations invited each year. Some issues being discussed include assisted suicide and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission report.
COMING EVENTS AT THEEFC.CA/CALENDAR
→ Video recording of “Faith and Politics” episode of Context With Lorna Dueck, Toronto, Sept. 15
→ An Evening of Comedy with Leland Klassen, Kitchener, Sept. 17
→ International Adoption Course, Calgary, Sept. 19
→ Meeting God at the Movies, Toronto, Sept. 19
→ Conférence Ministère auprès des enfants, Québec City, Sept. 19
→ Corporate Worship Seminar, Kitchener, Sept. 19
→ EFC Election 2015 Webinar, online, Sept. 23
CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY REACHES OUT TO OMAR KHADR
Faith Today senior writer Debra Fieguth travelled to Edmonton to interview a group of Christian university professors who are helping offer an education to Omar Khadr. Read her blog post on how she researched the article at Blog.FaithToday.ca. And read her feature article, published in Faith Today, about Khadr’s relationship with The King’s University, at FaithToday.ca/digital.
GET A FREE STACKHOUSE BOOK WITH FAITH TODAY
Subscribe to Faith Today, Canada’s Christian magazine, and for a limited time get a free copy of Can God Be Trusted? Faith and the Challenge of Evil(InterVarsity Press, 2009, 219 pages). This book proposes to both Christians and non-Christians that God can be trusted even when appearances suggest otherwise. Along the way author (and Faith Today columnist) John Stackhouse examines how thinkers across history have responded to evil and suffering. Book retail value $19. Get the national magazine of The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada to be better equipped, informed and connected. Details at FaithToday.ca/subscriptions or toll-free 1-866-302-3362.
NEED A GUEST SPEAKER?
Rick Hiemstra, the EFC’s director of research, presented information on current trends in church and society last weekend at the National Christian Home Educators Leadership Conference in Canmore, Alta. He also spoke at Little Plume Evangelical Missionary Church near Medicine Hat, Alta., on Sunday. Consider inviting an EFC speaker to your event or church. Experts available to offer a topical presentation or congregational preaching.