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September 25, 2018

25 September 2018

The EFC's Julia Beazley at Justice Committee Today

EFC Director of Public Policy Julia Beazley appears at the Justice Committee today to ask for changes to Bill C-75. This bill proposes major reforms to the criminal justice system, but would also allow serious offences related to human trafficking or assaulting clergy to be treated as less serious summary offences.

Host a Community Movie at Your Church

The EFC is encouraging churches and other groups to host screenings of the new film Because of Grácia to spark biblical conversations about dating, unplanned pregnancy and speaking up for your faith. Because of Grácia is a “must-see film” for youth groups, churches and schools, says Joel Gordon, creative director for the EFC. He commends its strong production value, compelling story and thought-provoking companion study guide. The film, produced and directed by Saskatchewan filmmakers Tom Simes and Myron Glova, has already won numerous film festival awards and received the Dove Seal of Approval for ages 12+. Learn more.

EFC Letter to Foreign Affairs Minister Urges Protection for Trafficking Victims  

A new EFC letter to Chrystia Freeland, Minister of Foreign Affairs, asks the Minister to consider victims of sexual exploitation and human trafficking when negotiating NAFTA. “If websites knowingly facilitate grave human rights violations such as sex trafficking, they should be held liable for these actions.” Read the full letter.

New Audio Podcast: Afraid to Die: When the Devout Experience Intense Fear at the End of Life

Doug Koop is a spiritual health practitioner at the Health Sciences Centre in Winnipeg. He’s also a writer. Both of those vocations came together in a Faith Today magazine article about devout Christian people who experience an unexpected amount of fear or anxiety as they near death. Listen to our conversation with him about his research and his experiences with this reality.

EFC Leaders Visit Catholic Bishops, Christian Legal Conference, Parliamentary Forum

EFC President Bruce Clemenger is an observer today and tomorrow at the annual plenary assembly of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Later this week, he will be part of a panel at the Christian Legal Fellowship National Conference on the topic Strengthening our Public Christian Witness in Canada. The CLF is a national association of Christian lawyers with which the EFC regularly partners in interventions before the courts.

EFC Vice-President David Guretzki will speak next Monday in Ottawa at the 7th annual Parliamentary Forum on Religious Freedom. The topic of the October 1 forum is Faith in a Time of Diversity and Division: Where Is Canada Headed?

Renegotiating Faith in Young Adulthood

You may have heard of Hemorrhaging Faith, a Canadian study in 2011 that showed young adults were leaving the church. But is there good news amidst the bad? Why do some young adults stick with the faith instead of leaving? Renegotiating Faith is a new report based on recent research by the EFC and its research partners, including Power to Change–Students, InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, Youth for Christ and Truth Matters. Read more about Renegotiating Faith in the latest Faith Today.

This article is free online, but you can also support us and receive our print magazine by subscribing at FaithToday.ca/subscription

How Does Your Church Serve Its Local Community?

Does your church serve your community in a creative way that might inspire others? Is your church finding success with an outreach idea you can share? The EFC magazine Faith Today is planning a new series that profiles the service of ordinary Canadian congregations in their communities. Send us your tips at editor@faithtoday.ca.

Coming Events at TheEFC.ca/Calendar 

Publicize your event for free.  

→ Christians and Politics: Mark Noll Compares America, Canada, Britain; Vancouver, Sept. 26-27
→ Christian Legal Fellowship National Conference, New Westminster, Sept. 27-30
→ Conférence Ministère auprès des enfants / Youth Ministry Conference (Awana, CEF), Sept. 29
→ Ride for Refuge, Cities Across the Country, Sept. 29
→ TIM Centre 20th Anniversary, North York, Sept. 29
→ Human Sexuality and Christian Ethics: Online Group Study Application Deadline Reminder, online, Oct. 1
→ Parliamentary Forum on Religious Freedom, Ottawa, Oct. 1
→ Discovering God’s Word in Community. Anna Carter Florence at CMU, Winnipeg, Oct. 2-3
→ Faith and Science Lecture Series, Vancouver, Oct. 4
Plan to Protect Training, Mississauga, Oct. 6
→ EFC Webinar on Renegotiating Faith: New Research on Young Adults, online, Oct. 10
→ Change Conference for Youth, Toronto, Oct. 12-13
→ Elevate Conference 2018, Langley, Oct. 12-13
→ Saturate Vancouver, Langley, Oct. 12-13
→ Women on the Frontlines Mentoring Weekend, Edmonton, Oct. 12-13
→ Promise Keepers Canada National Men’s Conference DISRUPTIVE – Charlottetown, Oct. 13

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In Case You Missed It

FT Interview with David Martin
EFC Lawyer Discusses Implications of TWU Decision 
The EFC Asks Justice Committee to Reconsider Criminal Justice Changes
New Audio Podcast: Renegotiating Faith: An Interview with Rick Hiemstra About the Youth and Faith Research