Video Discussion with Bible Scholar on Refugees
The videorecording is now available from our Jan. 26 discussion with author and Regent College professor Mark Glanville. He talked with us about the ideas in his book Refuge Reimagined: Biblical Kinship in Global Politics, giving us renewed inspiration about how to hopefully, generously and creatively engage with refugee issues in our communities. (Also, congratulations to the three people who won free copies of his book: Jayde Hooge, Brad Bruneski and Yare Vargas.) Watch the webinar video.
Our next Meet the Author discussion will be April 27 with Douglas Bursch, author of Posting Peace: Why Social Media Divides Us and What We Can Do About It (IVP Books, 2021). You can register today to join the online event live. Why not get a copy of his book to read in advance of the event?
Download the EFC Prayer Card for Your Fridge or Bible
Join the EFC team in prayer. You can post the EFC Prayer Card on your fridge or use as a bookmark in your Bible. It lists monthly themes and requests for 2022 that come directly from our staff. Thank you for praying for the EFC. We could not do what we do without you. English version: www.TheEFC.ca/Prayer-Card. Aussi disponible en français : www.TheEFC.ca/carte-de-priere.
Senator’s Bill to Protect Children and Youth from Sexually Explicit Material Online
A Senator’s bill to protect children and youth from sexually explicit material online is moving through the Senate. Read more about Bill S-210 at TheEFC.ca/S-210 and contact your MP to ask for support for the bill when it reaches the House of Commons.
Letter to Minister of Justice on Human Trafficking Provision in Bill C-5
The EFC has written a letter to the Minister of Justice about a provision on human trafficking in Bill C-5. Bill C-5 would enable someone convicted of a human trafficking offence to receive conditional sentencing, otherwise known as house arrest. The EFC’s letter explains, “When Bill C-5 proposes to allow conditional sentencing for someone convicted of trafficking of persons for material benefit, it sends the message that this offence is of lesser concern.” Read the full letter.
Bill S-211 Against Forced Labour
Bill S-211 is a private member’s bill in the Senate that would require large corporations to report on what they are doing to make sure their supply chains are free of slavery, forced labour or child labour. The EFC supports this effort to reduce forced and child labour and to raise awareness about human trafficking. This bill, originally introduced in the previous parliament, has been re-introduced in the current parliament.
Here is a letter of support you can send to the Senator sponsoring Bill S-211. We also provide sample text you can use to communicate with your MP on this issue, docx or pdf.
Deconstructing Deconstruction: Faith Today column by John Stackhouse
The practice of “deconstruction,” originating with philosopher Jacques Derrida, has been criticized by Evangelicals, but Faith Today columnist John Stackhouse offers a different perspective: “Evangelicals in every place and time could use some healthy deconstruction, if by that we mean what Evangelicals have always practised – when at our best – careful Bible reading that prompts renewal and reform.”
Did you know print subscription to Faith Today magazine is now free in Canada? Sign up at FaithToday.ca/SubscribeFree.
New EFC Weekly Prayer Prompts
This week’s prayer request is about human trafficking. Pray for freedom, healing and hope for those who are being trafficked, and for healing and support for survivors of trafficking as they rebuild their lives. Pray for repentance of traffickers; for wisdom for police investigators, law enforcement and prosecutors; and for commitment from all levels of government to prevent and combat trafficking.
Each week at we rotate through a prayer request from each of these five areas: Sanctity of Life, Care for the Vulnerable, Church and Mission, Family and Community, Religious Freedom. Pray about Bill S-11, a private member’s bill in the Senate that would require large corporations to report on what they are doing to make sure their supply chains are free of slavery, forced labour or child labour. The EFC supports this effort to reduce forced and child labour and to raise awareness about human trafficking.
Covid 19 and the restrictions have a significant impact on our lives. The EFC continues to offer new Friday@4 pandemic-focused prayer suggestions each week at TheEFC.ca/Covid-19.
Coming Events at TheEFC.ca/Calendar
→ Calvin Symposium on Worship (Institute of Christian Worship), online Jan. 31-Feb. 4
→ Our Business in Prayer (Canadian Christian Business Federation), online, Feb. 2
→ Making Peace in a Polarized World (Jesus Collective), online, Feb. 2, 16, Mar. 2
→ Watercooler Break for Communications Workers (CCCA), online, Feb. 11
→ Ending Poverty Together Workshop (Food for the Hungry), online, Feb. 12
→ Racism & the Church: How then Shall We Live? (Acadia Divinity College), online Feb. 15
→ Self-Care While Caring for Others (Acadia Divinity College), online Feb. 15
→ Plan to Protect 101, online Feb. 15
→ What! Me, Accountable? A Business Leadership Discussion (CCBF), online, Feb. 16
→ Protecting Children from Online Pornography (Connecting to Protect), Feb. 16-18
→ Ottawa Region Charity & Not-for-Profit Law Webinar (Carters), online Feb. 17
→ Elder Abuse Awareness Seminar (Plan to Protect), online, Feb. 17
→ CCCA Tips from the Winners: Design Categories (Cdn Chr. Communicators Assn), online Feb. 18
→ National Human Trafficking Awareness Day, Feb. 22
→ Bullying: A Deeper Dive in Honour of Anti-Bullying Day (Plan to Protect), Feb. 23
→ EFC Prayer with and for Ministry Organization Affiliates, online, Feb. 23, 11:00am ET
→ Timothy Morning with Dr. Peter Williams (Timothy Trust), Ottawa, Feb. 26
→ World Day of Prayer (Women’s Inter-Church Council), worldwide, online Mar. 4
In Case You Missed It
→ Faith Trends Podcast: How to Speak to Your Kids about Pornography
→ Go Into All the World Internet: Column by Joanna la Fleur