Not a good thing to export

Refugee Highway Partnership and World Evangelical Alliance are encouraging churches to observe World Refugee Sunday on June 21 (or alternatively on June 28) and pray for the estimated 33 million refugees in the world. Information, stories and resources for churches are available on the Refugee Highway Partnership website. These include a Refugee Highway wall map showing the top 10 refugee producing and receiving countries, as well as migration routes.

Need for a new Moses?

The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada's Religious Liberty Commission has released a report called 'Religious Freedom in Egypt: The Case of the Christian Minority.' The 17-page report details oppression and discrimination against Christians in Egypt through both the legal system and prejudice among the general population.

Liberals trade support for study

Opposition has forced postponement of a vote on Bill C-23 ratifying the Canada-Colombia Free Trade Agreement until the fall. As a result of the opposition, the Liberal party has dropped its support for the bill and is calling for a formal independent assessment of the agreement's impact on human rights in Colombia before a vote is taken. The bill is opposed by Kairos: Canadian Ecumenical Justice Initiatives, the Council of Canadians, Greenpeace, the Canadian Council for International Cooperation, the National Union of Public and General Employees, the Canadian Council for International Cooperation, the Canadian Association of Labour Lawyers, the Canadian Labour Congress, the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives and other social justice organizations.

At least the parties agree on something

Mark Freiman, the new president of Canadian Jewish Congress, welcomed the June 2 launch of the all-party Canadian Parliamentary Coalition to Combat Antisemitism under the leadership of Conservative MP Scott Reid and Liberal MP Mario Silva. Freiman welcomed the all-party support but expressed sadness that efforts to combat antisemitism are still necessary.

Talking together is a new direction

To mark Toronto Pride Week (June 19 - 28), Canada's New Direction ministry is offering a unique opportunity for an open online discussion between Christians and gays. At least 37 bloggers from various backgrounds and perspectives, including some evangelical Christian leaders, will 'synchro-blog' on June 24. Some will discuss New Direction's new DVD resource 'Bridging the Gap: Conversations on Befriending Our Gay Neighbours.'

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Winning a writing award is not a slam dunk

For the second year in a row, Herbie Kuhn, in-house announcer for the Toronto Raptors basketball team since 1995, will serve as master of ceremonies for the Canadian Christian Writing Awards Gala. The Awards honour the best work published in 2008 by Canadian writers who are Christian. This year's event takes place Wednesday, June 17 at the headquarters of World Vision Canada in Mississauga, Ontario.

Writing does pay

The Word Guild has given awards to seven novice (unpublished) Canadian writers. The winners in three age groups (14-19, 20-29, and 30-plus) received free registration (worth almost $400) at the annual Write! Canada writers' conference June 18 - 20 in Guelph, Ontario, while four other writers received gift certificates that can be used for writing conferences or Word Guild membership fees. The entrants were asked to write fiction, non-fiction or poetry on this year's theme 'Celebrating God's Blessings: Past, Present and Future.' A record 48 entries were received.

New conductor

The Gospel Music Association of Canada has appointed its first full-time staff member. Leroy Harder, who formerly ran Slyngshot Productions, has been named executive director. GMA Canada oversees the annual Covenant Awards and other efforts to help Christian music thrive across Canada. Peter Fleck continues to work part-time with GMA Canada as coordinator for submissions and memberships.

Skipping church could cost him $2.85

George Tabert, pastor of South Langley Evangelical Fellowship, has won a contest to be the first to cross the BC government's new multi-million-dollar Golden Ears Bridge across the Fraser River when it opens on June 14. Tabert's name was chosen in a draw for the honour. He was one of about 40 people to suggest the name for the bridge, which is named after two nearby mountains. Tabert has also been issued the first QuickPass transponder, which will automatically charge travellers $2.85 every time they cross the bridge. It is uncertain if Tabert will accept the honour to be the first person to cross the bridge, since the June 14 opening is on a Sunday morning.

June 11/2009