Believing that the Bible is the standard for working and living, the Public Service Christian Fellowship (PSCF) promotes Bible study, prayer and Christian fellowship directed towards learning and applying Christian principles in all areas of the Public Service. The fellowship is open to people from all Christian denominations who seek to find and make Jesus Christ Lord of their lives. As Christ's ambassadors we aspire to encourage brothers and sisters in the Lord Jesus Christ who work in the Public Service to walk in the light and to reach out to others.
The PSCF has been in existence since 1979. Currently there are individual groups holding weekly meetings at lunch time in many government departments and agencies. Each group has one main focus and that is to love the Lord Jesus Christ and, through His love, to bring encouragement and spiritual growth to fellow Christians. The meetings also provide an outreach to those who do not know His love. Believing that God hears and answers prayers, PSCF members hold up their government, departments and co-workers in prayer, and seek God's guidance in their individual lives so they will glorify Him in their daily tasks.
A paper on the early history of the PSCF was presented by Don Page, Vice-President of Academic Affairs at Trinity Western University, at a conference in May 1999 at Queen's University, Kingston Ontario. Don was one of the co-founders of the PSCF. The paper (in english), entitled "From Private to Public Religion: The History of the Public Service Christian Fellowship" is presented here.
Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada Bedford Institute of Oceanography (Dartmouth NS) Canada Post (Ottawa) Canada Revenue Agency (Ottawa) Canada Revenue Agency (Winnipeg) Defence Research and Development Canada Downtown Ottawa prayer meeting Environment Canada Health Canada Industry Canada/Citizenship & Immigration Canada Justice Canada Military Christian Fellowship of Canada Natural Resources Canada 
Parliament Hill Pest Management Regulatory Agency Place du Portage (Gatineau QC) Royal Canadian Mounted Police Statistics Canada Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat
It is not difficult to start a fellowship group in the Public Service. There are many styles to choose from as well as many times and places to meet. Most PSCF groups meet during the noon hour. The basic ingredients are two or more committed Christians willing to commit one hour or less a week to come together to share their thoughts and experiences on the Word of God and life in general. A person with a knowledge of the bible is important to give direction and to be a resource.
The style and location of the weekly gathering should be agreed to from the outset. Most meetings are held in rooms at the place of work, but some are held in nearby churches. Some groups encourage members to bring lunch and some groups meet for breakfast before work.
Prayer is an important part of each group and a time of prayer is set aside each week where members pray for the group, the public service in general, the nation and other special needs. Prayer is also helpful in starting a group. The focus of the fellowship groups is the Word of God rather than doctrine or denominational issues. The Word unites all Christians and is at the heart of each group.
Most groups involve a mutual sharing by members as opposed to teaching by one member. A passage of scripture is usually selected ahead of time to allow members to read and consider it. The passage is read again at the beginning of the meeting and members are asked to share their thoughts and experiences. Fellowship groups present a good opportunity to witness to what Christ is doing in the lives of civil servants.
If you would like more information contact Chris Sullivan at (613) 957-0130.
(adapted from the newsletter of the P.S.C.F., October 1992 by Linda Choquette)
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