Religious Leaders Say We Can Do Better In Our Approach to Illness and Dying
Last Tuesday more than 50 religious leaders from across Canada, including the leaders of many EFC affiliate denominations, released an open letter to all Canadians in opposition to Bill C-7 An Act to amend the Criminal Code (medical assistance in dying). This ecumenical and interfaith message is a response to the legislation introduced by the federal government on October 5, 2020 which seeks to expand the eligibility criteria for euthanasia and assisted suicide by removing the “reasonable foreseeability of natural death” criterion currently in the Criminal Code, and by loosening some of the existing safeguards, allowing patients whose death is “reasonably foreseeable” to waive final consent to receiving euthanasia by making an advance directive.
International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church is November 1, 2020
Persecution for faith in Christ often separates believers from family and loved ones. During Covid-19 we understand, though to a lesser degree, the pain of isolation. That is why “Hope in Isolation” is the theme for the 2020 International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted. “Joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer” (Romans 12:12). Countries of focus include Bangladesh, Nigeria and Yemen. Be sure to visit www.idop.ca for free resources for your church group or personal prayer. The EFC is a joint sponsor of this event.
Concern Over Human Rights in Sri Lanka
The EFC has written to the Minister of Foreign Affairs about the rapidly deteriorating situation in Sri Lanka, including attacks on human rights and the erosion of the rule of law. Please pray for peace and protection for all people on the island nation south of India. Pray also for The EFC's counterparts at the National Christian Evangelical Alliance Sri Lanka.
Senate Bill Requires Age Verification for Online Pornography
Support a Senate bill that would require online pornography companies to verify that users are adults in order to access content. Send a letter of support to the sponsoring senator and ask other senators to support Bill S-203. See the EFC’s letter of support and sample letters at www.TheEFC.ca/S-203.
Parliament Reintroduces Bills to Extend Euthanasia, Ban Conversion Therapy
The federal government has just reintroduced two bills in Parliament. Bill C-6 (formerly Bill C-8) would ban conversion therapy, but has a broad definition of conversion therapy that could criminalize religious instruction on sexuality. Bill C-7 proposes major changes to the law on euthanasia and assisted suicide, by extending “MAID” to people who are not dying. Even if you have communicated on these bills before, please contact your MP again to ask for changes to both of these bills. See the EFC’s resources at TheEFC.ca/C-6 and TheEFC.ca/C-7, including sample letters.
The Apostle of Pictou, N.S.
James MacGregor, studying to be a minister in Scotland during the 1700s, never expected he would be called to preach to Highland emigrants in Nova Scotia. But his faithfulness to God’s call took him on an unforeseen Canadian adventure. Read more in this column by History Matters columnist Kevin Flatt in the latest issue of Faith Today.
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→ Business Talks series, online every Tuesday (RZIM/Intriciti), continuing Oct. 21, 28
→ Reveal webinar: Moving through betrayal after pornography (Defend Dignity), online Oct. 22
→ The Future of Old Testament Canonical Interpretation (Wycliffe College), online Oct. 21
→ Table talk: Does the Church still have legs? (MCC), online Oct. 24-25
→ Jesus-centred discipleship in the post-election reality (Jesus Collective), online Oct. 27
→ EFC Presidents’ Day, online Oct. 29
→ Reveal webinar: Teens and porn (Defend Dignity), online Oct. 29
→ Dr. Carolyn Weber on C.S. Lewis’ The Great Divorce (Heritage C&S), online Oct. 30
→ The Internet: are children in charge? (Internet Sense First), online Oct. 30-31
→ International day of prayer for the persecuted church, worldwide Nov. 1
→ Adoption and fostering awareness month, nationwide Nov. 1-30
→ 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
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In Case You Missed It
→ Review of Canada’s prostitution laws expected this fall (EFC article)
→ Fundamentalisms and the Word of God (Faith Today article)
→ Welcome the Stranger: A Canadian Church Guide to Welcoming Refugees (free practical resource)
→ EFC speakers in your online gathering - contact us to explore options
→ Home print subscriptions to Faith Today and Love Is Moving are now free in Canada at FaithToday.ca/SubscribeFree
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