EFC Update Newsletter September 16

Make a difference on MAiD in just 15 minutes

 Many Canadians don’t realize that a law allowing MAiD for mental illness has already passed and will take effect in 18 months on March 17, 2027. See the EFC’s new blog about what’s happening, how we got here and how you can make a difference in just 15 minutes.  

Why we go to church 

EFC President David Guretzki and Pastor Matt Rice of Trinity Bible Church near Ottawa discuss the benefits of regular church attendance on Cross Connections, a new YouTube show based on Guretzki’s Faith Today column. Their conversation follows “Go to Church – Yes, Really!” originally published earlier this year. 

Equal dignity for all

Hate crimes – many against Jews – have risen for the 6th consecutive year in Canada. “Antisemitism thrives,” writes EFC senior ambassador Bruce J. Clemenger, “when we forget that all are created in the image of God, that each of us has inherent worth and moral responsibility.” 

Read more thought-provoking columns like this in the Sep/Oct Faith Today, the EFC’s bimonthly magazine now free by print subscription and online across Canada.  

House of Commons begins fall sitting

The House of Commons began its fall sitting yesterday. Please pray for the prime minister and cabinet ministers and for MPs (1 Timothy 2:2). Pray for civility, cooperation, peace and good governance. Find your local MP and pray for them by name at OurCommons.ca/members. 

Coming Events at TheEFC.ca/Calendar 

Online, Sept. 17: EFC Zoom call for affiliates and donors only: “Pray for life and hope: Stop MAiD for mental illness.” Roger Helland leading prayer and Julia Beazley and Beth Hiemstra presenting on MAiD

Calgary, Sept. 20, David Guretzki speaking at Faith Matters on MAiD in Canada – A Matter of Life & Death  

Chestermere, Alta., Sept. 21, David Guretzki speaking on the EFC’s work. At Lake Ridge Community Church. 
 
Oakville, Sept. 26, Don McNiven speaking to seniors’ group at Oakridge Bible Chapel 

Additional Christian community calendar events

• YouthLeaderU: Ministry Forum (Redeemer University), Ancaster, Ont., Sept. 17    

• The Science of Decision-Making (Kentro/Chris Bosch), online, Sept. 17   

• Building Blocks of a Prevailing Church (Church Vitalization Summit), online, Sept. 18    

• Intergenerational Ministry: More Radical than We Realize (Knox Centre for Lifelong Learning), online, Sept. 18   

• Stories in Song: Paraguay Comes to Canada (Generation Rising), Leamington, Sept. 19; Floradale, Ont., Sept. 20; St. Catharines, Sept. 21   

• Hear My Voice: Crafting a Personal Spiritual Legacy (Katherine Piderman), Sept. 20   

• Celebration of Culture: Reconciliation Learning Day (Salvation Army Indigenous Ministries), Aurora, Sept. 20  

• Ministry Leaders 7-Day Renewal Retreat (Kerith/FOTF), Nestleton, Ont., Sept. 22-29, Oct. 13-20; East Braintree, Man., Sept. 22-29, Oct. 13-20 

• Gender, Sexuality & Christian Ethics Course (Salvation Army Ethics Centre), online, Mondays from Sept. 22 to Nov. 24 

• Canadian Stories of Transforming Culture (TOWC), online, Sept. 23  

• Leading the Church through Times of Conflict (Conrad Grebel UC), online workshop, Sept. 23-26  

• Launch a “Raw Carrot” Social Enterprise (The Raw Carrot), webinar, Sept. 24   

• National Conference (Christian Legal Fellowship), Mississauga, Sept. 26-28   

• Ignite Kootenays (Ignite Prayer Canada/Roger Helland, Willy Reimer, Phil Wagler), Cranbrook, B.C., Sept. 26   

• Jesus to the Nations Missions Conference (World Vision/Samaritan’s Purse/Gather to Go), Moncton, Sept. 26-27   

• Wor/th Seminar on Worship and Theology (Matt Redman/Matt Maher/etc.), Ancaster, Sept. 27  

• Christian Environmental Worldviews: Understanding the Lay of the Land (CSCA), Ottawa, Sept. 29