EFC Update Newsletter January 28

The EFC contributes to UN review of disability rights

The EFC pointed out the devastating impact of Canada's euthanasia law on people with disabilities in a submission to the UN committee on the rights of persons with disabilities last Friday. The EFC’s brief made many recommendations, including that Canada repeal MAiD for mental illness, Track 2 MAiD (for those who are not dying) and not expand MAiD to youth. Drawing international attention to the negative impact of euthanasia laws is one way to advocate for change in Canadian law. Read the brief here. 

TV interview on new MAiD report

Watch an interview with EFC senior policy analyst Beth Hiemstra on the latest report on MAiD statistics in Canada, why people say they are choosing to die via MAiD and how we can respond. 

The EFC relaunches Church & Faith Trends journal 

The EFC’s Centre for Research on Church and Faith has relaunched Church & Faith Trends, an occasional journal on the evangelical movement in Canada and its ministry contexts. The journal serves EFC affiliate leaders and other audiences.  Volume 6, Issue 1 features an analysis of an op-ed discourse on medical assistance in dying (author: EFC President David Guretzki). It also features an analysis of how Evangelicals are identified in North American polling (authors: Rick Hiemstra and Lindsay Callaway). The current issue and back issues can be found here.  

EFC senior ambassador attends Holocaust remembrance service  

On Monday EFC Senior Ambassador Bruce J. Clemenger attended a service commemorating International Holocaust Remembrance Day and the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. The service took place at the National Holocaust Monument in Ottawa. 

Government consultation on advance requests for MAiD 

Canadians are invited from now to Feb. 14 to participate in the federal government’s consultation on advance requests for medical assistance in dying. Read an EFC blog post on this issue called Ten reasons to oppose advance requests for MAiD.    

How to be an instrument of peace

As Christians, we know Jesus is the Prince of Peace, but how can we also be instruments of peace? B.C. clinical counsellor Linda Penco suggests some ways we can bring peace to others in the Jan/Feb Faith Today Fellowship Skills column. 

You can regularly read this column and other thought-provoking, inspirational columns and articles by subscribing to the print version of the EFC’s bi-monthly magazine Faith Today.  

Coming Events at TheEFC.ca/Calendar

• Christ or Barabbas? Christian Political Theology in a Post-Christian Society (Redeemer University), Ancaster, Jan. 29  

• Churches Discipling Children: What Is and Is Not Working (Flourishing Congregations Institute), online, Jan. 31  

• Youthworker Conference Abbotsford, Jan. 31-Feb. 1  

• Ministry Leaders 7-Day Renewal Retreat (FOTFC), Nestleton, Ont., Feb. 1; East Braintree, Man., Feb. 3; Priddis, Alta., Feb. 18 

• Mental Health Symposium (Agora Network Ministries), Hamilton, Feb. 3  

• Rencontre au Sommet (francophone prayer summit), Granby, Que., Feb. 3-4  

• Watoto Children’s Choir (Redeemer University), Ancaster, Feb. 3-4  

• Missionfest Manitoba, Winnipeg, Feb. 8-10 

• Ending Poverty Together Workshop, Red Deer, Feb. 8 

• The Intimate Connection Between Social Media, Gaming, Porn, and the Harms to Youth (Defend Dignity), online, Feb. 12 

• Journey to Us Marriage Retreat (FOTFC), East Braintree, Man., Feb. 14-16 

• EFC Presentation and Prayer Re: “Prayer in Turbulent Times,” online, Feb. 20 

• Coldest Night of the Year Fundraising Walk (CNOY), nationwide, 100+ locations, Feb. 22 

• Impactus Men’s Conference, Nepean, Feb. 22 

• Today’s Teens (YFC), Brampton, Feb. 22 

Additional EFC events 

EFC Senior Ambassador Bruce J. Clemenger, attending International Religious Freedom Summit, Washington, D.C., Feb. 4-5