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EFC Update Newsletter November 10, 2020

10 November 2020

The EFC Urging Justice Committee to Make Changes to Bill C-7 

The EFC is urging the Justice Committee to make changes to the euthanasia expansion legislation, Bill C-7, in a brief submitted today. We expressed our opposition to euthanasia, and our grave concerns about the bill's impact, particularly for those who are vulnerable and Canadians with disabilities. The EFC’s brief asks the Committee to re-assert an end of life requirement and to keep key safeguards. Read more about Bill C-7 and EFC’s written submission at TheEFC.ca/C7

Urgent: Act Now on Bills to Extend Euthanasia, Ban Conversion Therapy

The Justice Committee has started its study of Bill C-7, to remove key safeguards and expand euthanasia, and is able to recommend changes to the bill. This is a critical time to contact your MP to ask for changes. The committee will also study Bill C-6, to ban conversion therapy, in the near future. See the EFC’s resources at TheEFC.ca/C-6 and TheEFC.ca/C-7, including description of the bills and sample letters for contacting MPs.

EFC Prayer Gathering

The EFC is inviting affiliates, ambassadors, board and staff to participate in a Zoom Prayer Gathering on Thursday, November 26 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (EST). We will gather for a pre-Advent time of God-focused worship, Scripture-fed and Spirit-led prayer. Click here for a video invite.

Support a Bill Requiring Age-Verification for Online Pornography

Sign a petition in support a Senate bill that would require online pornography companies to verify that users are adults in order to access content. See sample letters and more information at TheEFC.ca/S-203.

New Podcast: From the Ground Up: On Racism and Reconciliation

​​Writer and activist Joel Gordon shares his personal awakening and experiences with racism in Canada in this tender and powerful Faith Today piece. You can also read the text version of this article online.

Rethinking Local Church Ministry During COVID

In our latest post at FaithToday.ca, Ottawa pastor Doug Ward reflects on the challenges in pastoral care and discipleship exposed by the pandemic.

Browse New Magazine Issues Online

The Nov/Dec issues of the EFC magazines Faith Today and Love Is Moving are now available online at FaithToday.ca/Digital. Browse Faith Today features on Christmas, the Sixties Scoop, campus ministry, caring for seniors in our society and more. In Love Is Moving you’ll find young adults writing on the theme of befriending outsiders.

These magazines are free online, and print subscriptions are free to homes within Canada at FaithToday.ca/SubscribeFree. Readers are invited to support the production of these important resources by making one charitable donation per year, $15 for digital-only readers, $25 for print subscribers, or $50 for those able to help someone who can’t afford it, at TheEFC.ca/FTDonate.

Bill 21 Case Reaches Court

Quebec's law that prohibits public servants from wearing religious symbols, known as Bill 21, is being challenged in Quebec Superior Court in a case that started to be heard on Nov. 2, 2020. A report by the CBC summarizes the issues. The EFC considers Bill 21 to be a violation of religious freedom. Read more at www.TheEFC.ca/QuebecBill21

Coming Events at TheEFC.ca/Calendar

→ Adoption and fostering awareness month, nationwide Nov. 1-30
→ Business Talks series (RZIM/Intriciti), online every Wednesday until Nov. 25
→ Loving the City to Life: Jim Mullins (Sent Conference), online, Nov. 11
→ Earthkeeping in the City (A Rocha), online, Nov. 12
→ Prayer vigil for persecuted women and girls (Open Doors), online, Nov. 15
→ ELO Forum (Entrepreneurial Leaders Organization), online, Nov. 16 (Vancouver), Nov. 23 (Toronto)
→ Faithful Climate Conversations (For the Love of Creation), online every Monday to Nov. 30
→ Church & culture pastors’ colloquium (Ezra Institute), Niagara, Ont., Nov. 16-20
→ Plan to Protect 101 (Plan to Protect), free webinar, Nov. 17
→ Soul Care Retreat for Christian Leaders (New Leaf Network), online, Nov. 17
→ Missions Upside Down: Aaron Baart (Sent Conference), online, Nov. 18
→ J.I. Packer: Honouring and Remembering an Evangelical Theologian (Regent College), online, Nov. 18
→ Good Words virtual book fair (Arts Connection), online, Nov. 18
→ Night with the Persecuted Church (Open Doors), online, Nov. 22
→ Together for Good: Free marriage conference (FamilyLife Canada), online, Nov. 20-22
→ The Role of the Holy Spirit in Evangelism: Shaila Visser (Sent Conference), online, Nov. 25
→ Together for Good: Free marriage conference (FamilyLife Canada), online, Nov. 20-22
→ EFC affiliate prayer gathering, online, Nov. 26
→ Iron Sharpens Iron Conference (Eagle Ridge Fellowship), Coquitlam, Nov. 28
→ International Day for the Abolition of Slavery (annual event by UN), Dec. 2
→ EFC webinar: The Church and COVID: How are our pastors and leaders faring? Dec. 3
→ Watercooler Break for Communication Workers (Cdn Christian Communicators Assoc’n), online, Dec. 4

Publicize your event for free on our calendar and we will also share it in this email newsletter.

In Case You Missed It

 Euthanasia Bill C-7 will bring harm to people with disabilities (EFC article)
Religious leaders call for better approach on illness and dying (open letter to Canadians)
Defend Dignity webinars on pornography addiction and recovery
A walk through the latest album by Steve Bell (Faith Today blog)
Welcome the stranger: A Canadian church guide to welcoming refugees (free practical resource)
EFC speakers in your online gathering - contact us to explore options
→ Get your message out at FaithToday.ca/Classifieds. Contact ads@faithtoday.ca