Parliament resumes this week
Please join us in praying for our leaders this week as the House of Commons and Senate return for the fall session. "I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people - for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness." 2 Tim. 2:1-2.
Submission to the Privacy Commissioner on protecting kids
The EFC’s submission to the Privacy Commissioner of Canada underlines the need to protect children and youth online and points to international precedents that Canada could follow. One of the ways to protect kids and youth online is to put in place age restrictions for sexually explicit content. The Privacy Commissioner takes the position that “it is possible to design and use age assurance in a privacy-protective manner” and held an exploratory consultation. Read the EFC’s submission, latest blog on age assurance, and new brochure.
Youth ministry workers needed for social media study
How does social media affect youth faith formation, and how do youth ministry workers use it in their ministries? The EFC and its partners are tackling these questions in the new #influencing_faith_study. If you're a paid or volunteer youth ministry worker and you'd be open to an interview, please take our 5-minute screener survey in English or French.
Last chance to register for Christian communications conference
A Canadian Christian Communicators Association event called Meet in the Middle will happen Sept. 26-28 in Winnipeg. Faith Today editor Bill Fledderus is one of the organizers, and Faith Today editor Karen Stiller will be speaking. This is the last week to register. Learn more about the workshops and sign up now.
EFC president presenting on MAiD to church association, virtually joining Lausanne 2024
EFC President David Guretzki will virtually attend the Lausanne Movement - Seoul 2024 Sept. 22 to 28. The Sep/Oct Faith Today cover article explores this global gathering of Christians where attendees will discuss the Church’s shared mission and future.
Guretzki will also be giving a seminar on MAiD to the Smiths Falls Group of Churches, Mission Committee, on Sept. 28.
EFC prayer ambassador speaking at pastors’ national retreat
EFC prayer ambassador Roger Helland will be speaking on “Presence-Centred Leadership and Prayer” as the keynote speaker at the Christian Ministers Association National Conference in Kamloops, B.C. scheduled for Sept. 23-25.
EFC senior ambassador at interfaith, Catholic events
EFC Senior Ambassador Bruce J. Clemenger will be a keynote speaker in Lethbridge on Sept. 21 at the Freedom of Religion or Belief Symposium. He will speak on “Religious Freedom and the Challenge of State Neutrality." Registration is open to the public. Clemenger will also attend the CCCB (Canadian Council of Catholic Bishops) Plenary Assembly in Quebec City Sept. 23-24.
Religious freedom of Christian hospitals
“Hospitals maintaining a Christian vision are sometimes pressured to compromise their beliefs over which on-site services they provide, such as requests for abortion and now euthanasia.” EFC Senior Ambassador Bruce Clemenger shares the story of Providence Health Care in B.C., which is being taken to court after refusing to provide euthanasia. Clemenger reinforces the idea a free society needs to affirm freedom of conscience and religion of all individuals and communities.
Read Clemenger’s full column and others in the Sep/Oct Faith Today, the EFC’s free bimonthly print magazine. Sign up now to subscribe.
Coming Events at TheEFC.ca/Calendar
→ Ignite Prayer Canada, Grand Opening, online, Sept. 19
→ Canadian Christian Prisoner Ministry Conference (North American Missions), Calgary, Sept. 20-21
→ Freedom of Religion or Belief Symposium (Bruce Clemenger/Steve Collis/Andrew Bennett), Lethbridge, Sept. 21
→ A Rocha Oasis Day Retreat (A Rocha Canada), Surrey, Sept. 25
→ Catch the Fire Conference 2024, Toronto, Sept. 26-28
→ Christian Communicators Annual Conference, Winnipeg, Sept. 26-28
→ Giving Strategies for the Canadian Church, Sept. 26
→ Canadian International Faith & Family Film Festival, Sept. 27-29
→ A Flame Imperishable: The Christian Legacy of J.R.R. Tolkien (Redeemer), Ancaster, Sept. 27-28
→ Listen, Reflect, Reconcile, Jonathan Maracle and the Broken Walls band live in Concert, Niverville, Sept. 27
→ Safe Spaces for Your Church (Agora Network Ministries), Welland, Sept. 28
→ The Timothy Trust Central Preachers’ Refresher, Ottawa, Sept. 30-Oct. 2
→ Theology and Artificial Intelligence: Systematic and Denominational Perspectives (Canadian Council of Churches), online, Oct. 1
→ The Study of Religion in Canada (Institute for Religion, Culture and Societal Futures/Sarah Wilkins-Laflamme, Galen Watts, Carol Ann MacGregor), online and in-person in Waterloo, Oct. 2