Now is the Moment. The EFC Issues Urgent Request for Canadians to Contact MPs on 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.
More Than Just a Day for Truth and Reconciliation
As Canada marks its second annual National Day for Truth and Reconciliation this coming Friday, let's listen prayerfully to the story of Temera Millar and the insights of Ron Hartwig, both of North American Indigenous Ministries. They are featured in the latest post in the FaithToday.ca/AllThingsReconciled blog series.
Congratulations to Faith Today Award Winners
Congratulations to Faith Today senior writer Alex Newman who won two categories at The Word Awards announced on September 17. “When Our Pets Die” was awarded best long feature. “How We Coped with the Lockdowns” won best news article. Former columnist Carolyn Arends also won awards, as did contributors Marianne Jones, Chrissy Dennis and Lynda MacGibbon. MacGibbon, who also serves on the board of the EFC, won best non-fiction book for My Vertical Neighbourhood: How Strangers Became a Community. Full details on Faith Today winners here and details on all winners available here.
Disaster Relief for Maritimes After Storm Fiona
As reports of the damage continue to come in from the powerful storm that recently hit Atlantic Canada, several EFC affiliate organizations are directly involved in relief efforts. Learn more about the relief work of Samaritan’s Purse and Mennonite Disaster Services and The Salvation Army. Also the federal government has also announced it will match donations made through the Red Cross.
Pakistan Relief Matched Only Until Tomorrow
The federal government will match donations from Canadians made before Sept. 28 to help the people of Pakistan recover from massive flooding. More than 33 million people have been affected by floods, and much of country's agricultural land was under water, reports the CBC. As Canadians consider where to direct their donations, they may want to consider international relief and development organizations affiliated with the EFC. Learn more.
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.
Building Whole-Life Christians: Counteracting Canada’s Culture of Death
EFC Vice-President and Resident Theologian David Guretzki will speak at Didsbury Zion Church in Alberta Oct. 1 on abortion, suicide, MAiD, the role of the church serving the disability community, the elderly and the place of palliative care. Your church can also invite an EFC speaker at TheEFC.ca/Speakers.
Defending Prostitution Laws
The EFC has submitted written arguments in support of the laws against buying sexual services. A court challenge of the prostitution laws will be heard in the Ontario Superior Court this fall and the EFC is submitting arguments as an intervener or friend of the court. The EFC’s factum points out that Parliament’s objective in passing these laws was to reduce the demand for prostitution. Parliament intended to discourage entry into prostitution, deter participation in it and ultimately abolish it to the fullest extent possible in order to protect communities, human dignity and equality.
Fifty Years of Serving Charities
The Canadian Centre for Christian Charities is celebrating their 50th anniversary on Oct. 12. Head of marketing Carolyn Innis says CCCC member churches and charities — not the organization itself — are taking centre stage in the celebration. Read more in this Faith Today article.
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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 sponsoring 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.
Seminar: The Public Reading and Praying of Scripture
Dr. Roger Helland, Prayer Ambassador for EFC, through Taylor Seminary and Kairos University, is offering a free half-day seminar on The Public Reading and Praying of Scripture. Learn more and register for this Oct. 1 event, 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. ET (7:30 PT, 8:30 MT, 11:30 AT).
BGEA Evangelism Summits
The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association of Canada is holding three free evangelism summits for pastors and church leaders with a roster of key speakers, Oct. 13 in Calgary, Oct. 18 in Halifax, and Oct. 20 in Toronto. Lunch and summit materials are provided. To register and for more information go to 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 Indigenous Relations. Pray for openness across congregations in Canada to explore God’s heart for restored relationships among all people, and with all of creation. Pray for healing and renewed hope for those who have been impacted by systemic barriers and injustice. Pray for a posture of humility and learning for all Christians in Canada as evangelicals journey towards right relationship with Indigenous peoples. Pray for wisdom, discernment, courage and God’s leading as evangelical leaders respond and engage in this work. Finally, pray for commitment from all levels of government to prevent and combat racism and injustice.
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.
→ Is Charitable Status Being Politicized? (Cardus), online/Ottawa in-person, Sept. 28
→ Faith Driven Entrepreneur and Investor Conference (Trinity Wealth Advisors), online/in-person at several locations, Sept. 28-29
→ National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (national holiday), Sept. 30
→ Redeemer University’s 40th Anniversary Celebration, Hamilton, Sept. 30-Oct. 1
→ Redeemer U. 40th Anniv. Concert: DOE + Paul Baloche, Hamilton, Sept. 30
→ Victorious Festival 2022, Toronto, Sept. 30
→ Ride for Refuge (Ride for Refuge), various locations across Canada, Oct. 1
→ Embedded Genres in the New Testament (Jeannine Brown/Acadia Divinity College), online/in-person Wolfville, N.S., Oct. 3-5
→ No Greater Love Tour (The Color), Winnipeg Oct. 4; Regina Oct. 5; Saskatoon Oct. 6; Calgary Oct. 7; Edmonton Oct. 8; Grande Prairie Oct. 9
→ Preacher’s Refresher (Timothy Trust), Bloomfield, PEI, Oct. 3-5; Canmore, Alta., Oct. 11-13
→ Making Peace in a Polarized World (Jesus Collective), online Oct. 4, 12 & 18
→ Evangelism Summits (BGEA), Calgary Oct. 13; Halifax Oct. 18; Toronto Oct. 20
→ CALLED Leadership Gathering (Women Together), Guelph, Oct. 13-15
→ Kentro Workshops for Relief and Development Organizations (Kentro Network), Vancouver Oct. 14; Mississauga Oct. 21
In Case You Missed It
→ Job Openings: Justice and mercy coordinator; leadership centre director of programs; pastoral leader; director of philanthropy; pastor; director of human resources; and more (FaithToday.ca/Classifieds)
→ The EFC Appoints New Senior Leadership Roles
→ Meet Cattle Farmer Bonita Mercer (Faith Today article)
→ Four New Articles Translated into French
→ Truth and Reconciliation with Love (Reconciling blog)