New Podcast: From Rodriguez to Carter to MAiD
This Faith Trends Podcast episode with EFC President Bruce J. Clemenger explores how Canada moved from affirming the sanctity of human life before the 1993 Rodriguez court case to providing "narrow" exceptions in the 2015 Carter case, to the introduction of MAID in 2016 and its ongoing expansion fed by arguments for autonomy.
Pray for the Persecuted: Worldwide Event Nov. 6
Your church can join believers worldwide to pray for the estimated 200 million Christians facing persecution for their faith. The annual International Day of Prayer for the persecuted church event is held each November. Some churches hold it on other dates if more convenient. Download the free Canadian resource kit at www.idop.ca. Canadian partners organizing this event include Intercede International, International Christian Response, Open Doors Canada, The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada, and The Voice of the Martyrs Canada.
The EFC Calls for Urgent Action about Medical Assistance in Dying
A change in the law allowing medical assistance in dying (MAiD) for mental illness alone will come into effect this March. The EFC is calling on Canadian Christians to ask their Members of Parliament to stop the expansion. See the EFC's media release and action kit for more information.
Building an Arts Community Online Discussion
Love Is Moving is partnering with RENEW Arts + Theology for an evening of discussion on how to build an artistic community. RENEW Arts + Theology is an organization that seeks to create a community of artists motivated by the Christian faith. Love Is Moving columnist Josh Tiessen will interview panelists Karlene Fletcher and Adam Hu in a dialogue about the arts, theology, life, and how RENEW seeks to help empower artists and improve their God-given gifts.
Register here to participate in this conversation on building vibrant arts communities in your context.
How Sweet the Sound (Faith Today column)
While a song in itself has no agency to eliminate the ills of society, "Amazing Grace" shows how the sweet sound of God’s grace can bring us all to our knees.” Musician and professor Melissa Davis reflects on what one song can do in this Faith Today column.
Sign up at FaithToday.ca/SubscribeFree for a print subscription to read more regular columns and articles like this. Anyone can now read a limited selection of articles from the latest issue online at www.faithtoday.ca.
National Worship and Prayer Gathering Nov. 25
24/7 Prayer Canada is hosting a national worship and prayer gathering in Vancouver that you can attend online or in person (including a dinner). It will include key speakers from Canada and the 24/7 International Team focusing on transforming our cultures of prayer within our churches. The event will help you grow deeper in your ministry leadership, church life and personal relationship with God. Learn more and register here.
This Week’s EFC Prayer Prompts
This week’s prayer request is about adoption. Pray that we would affirm the dignity and worth of all children in word and deed; that vulnerable children and youth would be a top priority in our homes, churches, governments and society; that we would be present, in a range of ways, for children and youth needing a permanent, loving home. Pray also for youth aging out of government care, and that vulnerable children and youth would be a top priority in our homes, churches, governments and society.
This week’s EFC affiliate organization to pray for is Youth for Christ, which believes in helping “churches and communities around the world get Scripture in their language…until all the nations worship!” Youth for Christ Canada is a chartered member of Youth for Christ International, an international, non-denominational Christian ministry who, for over 75 years, has passionately engaged young people to live their full life potential as designed by God.
You can always find the week’s prayer prompts at TheEFC.ca/TakeAction. Also, we offer new pandemic-focused prayer ideas each month at TheEFC.ca/Covid-19.
In Case You Missed It
→ Job Openings: Pastor (Lethbridge, Montreal, Brampton, Toronto, Ottawa, Sault Ste Marie, Uxbridge); Toronto congregational justice and mercy coordinator; Montreal director of leadership programs; and more (FaithToday.ca/Classifieds)
→ Bill to Clarify Law on Child Sexual Abuse Materials
→ Bill to Verify Age and Consent on Pornography Sites
→ Planning a Crisis Response (Faith Today article)
→ EFC Supports Current Prostitution Laws in Court