EFC Affiliate Leaders Meet Virtually for Presidents Day
Approximately 140 EFC affiliate leaders met online on October 29 with EFC staff and guest speakers for the annual event known as Presidents Day. The EFC Board holds these gatherings to discuss the past year of ministry, consider commonalities and look to the future. This was the first year the event was held virtually. Presidents Day focused on a variety of topics including righting relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples and the effects of Covid-19 on various ministry sectors. Keynote speaker Danielle Strickland ended the day with an inspiring presentation on the gospel message of reconciliation.
Euthanasia Bill C-7 Will Bring Harm to People with Disabilities
The EFC asked disability advocate Taylor Hyatt to describe the impact of Bill C-7 in an article on our website. You can also watch Taylor speak on this bill.
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.
Prayer Meeting for Bill C-7
Bill C-7, which would remove safeguards and expand access to euthanasia and assisted suicide in Canada, is moving quickly through the House of Commons. The government hopes to pass the bill by Dec. 18, if not sooner. The EFC and the National House of Prayer invite you to join us in a special 90-minute prayer initiative on November 4 at 11 a.m. (Eastern Time) that will focus specifically on Bill C-7, the protection of life, and those most at risk from these changes.
EFC President’s Message at Gather: Women Conference
EFC President Bruce Clemenger’s recorded message from last week’s EFC Presidents Day will be presented at A Seat at the Table, a Nov. 6 event by Gather: Women. This online conference for both men and women hopes to “generate conversations on issues such as gender, race and class and positively shape the trajectory of the Canadian church and the nation together.” Registration costs between $30 to $60.
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.
Seeing Love in Action at Thai Orphanage
Agape Home in Chiang Mai, Thailand offers love to orphaned children, most of whom are HIV-positive. Canadian Donna Squires writes in our Faith Today blog about what she learned volunteering at the home from Canadian-born founder director Avis Rideout.
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 a 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.
→ Adoption and fostering awareness month, nationwide Nov. 1-30
→ Business Talks series (RZIM/Intriciti), online every Wednesday until Nov. 25
→ Church & charity law seminar (Carters), online Nov. 5
→ Better conversations with those experiencing a loss (Women’s Inter-church Council), online Nov. 5
→ Reveal webinar: A therapist’s insight (Defend Dignity), online Nov. 5
→ Sharing your story in conversation (RSVP ministries), online Nov. 6
→ Rooting for rivals; Racism and the church (workshops at Belong Symposium), online Nov. 6
→ “Hold fast” day in the Word conference (Precept Ministries), online Nov. 6
→ MEDA convention 2020 (Mennonite Economic Development Associates), online Nov. 6-7
→ Toronto’s children’s ministry conference (Wycliffe College), online Nov. 7
→ Ending poverty together; Intro to trauma care (workshops at Belong Symposium), online Nov. 7
→ Church & culture pastors’ colloquium (Ezra Institute), Niagara, Ont., Nov. 16-20
→ Plan to Protect 101 (Plan to Protect), free webinar, Nov. 17
→ Good Words virtual book fair (Arts Connection), online, Nov. 18
→ Together for Good: Free marriage conference (FamilyLife Canada), online Nov. 20-22
→ International Day for the Abolition of Slavery (annual event by UN), Dec. 2
Publicize your event for free on our calendar and we will also share it in this email newsletter.
In Case You Missed It
→ Religious leaders call for better approach on illness and dying (open letter to Canadians)
→ Defend Dignity webinars on pornography addiction and recovery
→ In conversation with author Jen Pollock Michel (Faith Today podcast)
→ The Secret Ingredient for Making Pastors (Faith Today blog)
→ A walk through the latest album by Steve Bell (Faith Today blog by columnist John Stackhouse)
→ 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