The EFC Argues in Support of Current Prostitution Laws in Court
The EFC was in an Ontario court last week to argue in support of the prostitution laws. The lawyer acting on the EFC’s behalf argued that the act of purchasing sexual services is exploitative in and of itself and that the laws protect human dignity and equality. Please pray for the judge as he makes his deliberation.
EFC Leaders Interviewed on MAiD Expansion Concerns
The EFC’s Julia Beazley was recently interviewed in the Catholic Register about the expansion of Medical Assistance in Dying: “I think the expansion of MAiD to individuals with disability and chronic illness has already taken us to a dark place. It has laid bare a deeply disturbing ableism that puts the lives of people living with disability or chronic illness at risk.” You can also watch EFC Vice-President David Guretzki’s interview with Bridge City News about MAiD expansion.
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.
Technology, Ministry, and Keeping People's Attention, with Rick Hiemstra
EFC Director of Research Rick Hiemstra recently was interviewed by Karl Vaters for the “Can This Work In A Small Church?” podcast. Listen to the podcast here.
Did You Know? EFC Ambassadors Available to Speak
The EFC has ambassadors across Canada who are available to speak at your church or event. Ambassadors can speak on issues relating to religious freedom; sanctity of life; church and mission; and more. You can browse our list of speakers, which also has a topic filter so you can narrow your list to see only the speakers associated with a particular topic. Requests for individual speakers are dependent on availability. Request a speaker now!
The Exponential God (Faith Today column)
“God can take our tiny efforts and multiply them exponentially to meet what otherwise appears to be insurmountable human need.” As he visited a Romanian church working to care for Ukrainian refugees, David Guretzki realized the exponential impact of relying on the Holy Spirit’s power. He reflects on this in his latest 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.
Video Course Helps Churches Talk About Mental Health
Oct. 2-8 was Mental Illness Awareness Week. Here's an advance look at a relevant article we'll be publishing in our Nov/Dec issue.
Mental Illness: How We Can Help Instill Self-Esteem
"With the prevalence of stigma, people with mental health issues need all the help they can get to raise their self-esteem and become confident members of the community," says writer Marja Bergen in this Faith Today website post.
Bill to Clarify Law on Child Sexual Abuse Materials
A private member’s bill would change references to “child pornography” in the Criminal Code to the more accurate term “child sexual abuse material.” MP Mel Arnold introduced Bill C-291 in the House of Commons on June 17, 2022. The EFC agrees that terms like “child pornography” risk normalizing, trivializing and legitimizing the sexual abuse and exploitation of children. Read more about this bill and how you can support it.
Bill to Verify Age and Consent on Pornography Sites
Bill C-270 is a private member's bill that would require commercial pornography sites to verify the age and consent of people depicted before posting their images or videos. Not long ago, the EFC sent a letter of support to the bill’s sponsor, MP Arnold Viersen. Join the EFC and ask your MP to support Bill C-270. Learn more and find a sample letter you can use to write your MP at TheEFC.ca/C-270.
BGEA Evangelism Summits
The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association of Canada is holding three free evangelism summits for pastors and church leaders Oct. 13 in Calgary, Oct. 18 in Halifax, and Oct. 20 in Toronto. Lunch and summit materials are provided. Register and get more info at www.billygraham.ca/evangelism-summit.
This Week’s EFC Prayer Prompts
Each week at TheEFC.ca/TakeAction, we rotate through a prayer request from five areas. This week, we’re praying about Reproductive and Genetic Technologies.
Pray that vulnerable people may be protected from being exploited, such as infertile couples desperate to have a child or low-income women who may donate eggs or become surrogates out of financial need. Pray that laws surrounding new reproductive technologies will protect and respect human life, rather than turn children into commodities.
Also, we offer pandemic-focused prayer ideas we call Friday@4, which we suggest you pray through on Fridays at 4 p.m. local time. Find new ones each month at TheEFC.ca/Covid-19.
→ Paul: A Radical Jew as God’s Messenger to Non-Jews (CMU), online Tuesdays starting Oct. 11
→ Preacher’s Refresher (Timothy Trust), Canmore, Alta., Oct. 11-13
→ Adopted by God: A Neglected Pauline Doctrine (ACTS/Barton Priebe), online, Oct. 12
→ Evangelism Summits (BGEA), Calgary Oct. 13; Halifax Oct. 18; Toronto Oct. 20
→ Called Leadership Gathering (Women Together), Guelph, Oct. 13-15
→ Kentro Workshops for R&D Orgs, Vancouver Oct. 14; Mississauga Oct. 21
→ Communications Workers' Watercooler Break (CCCA), online Oct. 14
→ Small Church Pastors’ Retreat (Small Church Connections), Banff Oct. 17-20; Cambridge Oct. 24-27; Cornwallis Park, N.S., Nov. 14-17
→ Sex Trafficking and the Demand Issue (SA Justice), online, Oct. 18
→ Why Should I Pay for Your Covid Vaccine? Public Goods & Government Action (TKUC/Gerda Kits), online, Oct. 18
→ Picturing the Bible: How Artists Tell the Story (CMU, Prof. Robin Jensen), Winnipeg, Oct. 18-19
→ Intercultural Outreach in the GTA Workshop (TWR/Lausanne), Markham, Ont., Oct. 19
→ Patterns in British-American Protestant Globalism 19th-20th Cent. (Regent/Brian Stanley), online Oct. 19
→ How Reading the LXX Helps us Read the NT (Northwest/Larry Perkins), online Oct. 19
→ Global Leadership Summit 2022, simulcast, various locations, Oct. 20-21
→ Business as Mission: Connect (BAM Global), online, Oct. 20
→ Inspiring Testimony (Loving Muslims Together), online, Oct. 22
→ Human Rights Codes for Charities (CCCC), online, Oct. 26
→ EFC Presidents Day, Toronto, Oct. 27
→ Unbound: The Path to Change (Village Church), Surrey, Oct. 27
In Case You Missed It
→ Job Openings: Justice and mercy coordinator; leadership centre director of programs; pastor (Montreal, Brampton, Toronto, Ottawa, Sault Ste Marie, Uxbridge); director of human resources; and more (FaithToday.ca/Classifieds)
→ The EFC Appoints New Senior Leadership Roles
→ Sanctity of Life Is Priority for Health Care (Faith Today article)
→ How Faith can Help with Mental Illness (Faith Today blog)
→ Letter on PCEPA Prostitution Law to Justice Minister
→ Latest EFC News: Prostitution Laws and MAiD are EFC Focus this Fall (Canada Watch)