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September 27, 2016

26 September 2016

THE EFC UPDATE - 2016.09.27
Uniting Evangelicals to bless Canada in the name of Jesus

Sign up to receive the EFC Update via email every Tuesday to keep up with current news from The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada.

HELP REDUCE THE DAMAGE PORNOGRAPHY IS CAUSING
Online porn fuels sexual exploitation and contributes to sexual violence against girls and young women, according to a new EFC submission to the Standing Committee on the Status of Women. The submission asks Parliament to study the public health effects of internet porn and to consider age verification for porn sites, as is being considered in the U.K. We’ve created an EFC video clip and blog post you can share with your church and your friends to raise these important issues more widely. The video and blog offer quick summaries of the issues and point to TheEFC.ca/PornographyResources, where those interested in going deeper can read our new four-page submission “Internet Pornography and Violence Against Young Women and Girls in Canada.”

HOW TO HELP THOSE WHO ARE SUFFERING: 
PRACTICAL EFC WEBINAR

Now that physician-assisted death is legal in some cases, Christians have yet one more reason to reach out with hope and comfort to those who are suffering. Join us for a free EFC webinar on Wed., Sept. 28 to explore how we can help (and learn from) those who are hurting. We’ll be joined by Doug Koop, a spiritual health practitioner and writer from Winnipeg, and by David Guretzki, a theology professor and seminary dean at Briercrest College & Seminary in Caronport, Sask. Register now.

DISCUSSION ON ASSISTED SUICIDE, RECONCILIATION 
EFC President Bruce Clemenger is attending the Plenary Assembly of Catholic Bishops this week (livestreamed at www.cccb.ca). Several church leaders from different Christian traditions are invited to attend each year. The agenda includes a discussion of euthanasia and assisted suicide, and responses to the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

CAN’T DOCTORS HAVE CONSCIENCES?
An ethicist at Queen’s University writes that doctors should not have the right to conscientious objection, as reported in the National Post. The Ontario government is supporting policies that require doctors to participate in procedures against their deeply-held beliefs. Long-term care facilities and seniors’ residences may be required to allow euthanasia and assisted suicide on their premises. The EFC has created a sample letter you can use to write or call your MPP and the Ontario Minister of Health on these issues of conscience protection.

COMING REGIONAL EVENTS AT THEEFC.CA/CALENDAR 
→ Engaging Our Muslim Neighbours, Hamilton, Sept. 27 
→ EFC Webinar: How to Help the Suffering, Sept. 28 
→ Arts & the Inklings Conference, Langley, Sept. 28-30 
→ Prophecy Conference, Winnipeg, Sept. 29–Oct. 1 
→ Missio Nexus Mission Leaders Conference, Louisville (USA), Sept. 29–Oct. 1 
→ Being Christian 2016: Faith in a Complex World, Toronto, Sept. 30–Oct. 2 
→ Honouring Your Parents “Two Generations” Conference, Vancouver, Sept. 30–Oct. 1 
→ Vocatio: Vocation and Culture Shaping, Calgary, Sept. 30–Oct. 1 
→ Ride for Refuge, locations nationwide, Oct. 1 
→ Conférence Ministère auprès des enfants (Awana-AEE), Gatineau, Oct. 1 
→ Gather Women Rise, Toronto, Oct. 1 
→ Christians and Climate Change, Montreal, Oct. 5 
Add your upcoming event for free.

MAKING A SEARCH COMMITTEE EFFECTIVE
“The Search Is On: Making your search committee for a new pastor as effective as possible” is a feature article in the Sep/Oct issue of Faith Today, Canada’s Christian magazine. Read it online and browse the entire issue.

SUBSCRIBE AND GET THREE FOR ONE
New 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 online or by calling 1-866-302-3362. EFC magazine subscriptions are great for all ages, including young adults, since they include both Faith Today and our youth magazine, Love Is Moving. A great way to bless three people all at the same time – perhaps yourself, a young person off to university and a friend or relative?

DO YOU HAVE GOOD NEWS TO SHARE WITH CANADIAN CHURCHES?
Let us know about it, so we can help to spread your news more widely using our social media channels such as Facebook and Twitter. Drop us a line at SocialMedia@TheEFC.ca to share a hyperlink where other Canadian Christians can go to read your news, watch your video or download your helpful resource.

IN ONTARIO, P.E.I. AND NOVA SCOTIA
Don McNiven, the EFC’s director of affiliate and donor relations, will be visiting in Ontario, P.E.I. and Nova Scotia this fall. He’d be delighted to visit with supporters to discuss the programs of the EFC and current research initiatives. Email him or call 416-902-9110.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT 
→ The loss of religious freedom for any faith group means a loss of religious freedom for every other faith group, says a recent EFC letter to supporter sabout the upcoming Ktunaxa case at the Supreme Court. 
→ Adoption: EFC President Bruce Clemenger made two presentations on adoption in Sudbury last week. Learn more about the EFC’s AdoptionSunday.com initiative. 
→ “Will medical professionals really be required to kill?” / Les professionnels de la santé seront-ils vraiment obligés de tuer? 
→ The B.C. Court of Appeal is still deliberating an important decision in the legal battle over Trinity Western University’s proposed law school. The EFC intervened with Christian Higher Education Canada to support religious freedom. The case was heard in June and a decision is expected shortly. Please pray.