Interfaith. Interspiritual. Interspecies.
about us
The Compassion Consortium is a 501(c)(3) non-sectarian support center dedicated to increasing human compassion for other species and addressing human-animal conflicts through spiritually based programs and educational services.
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Our community includes Vegans, Vegetarians, animal rights advocates, shelter/sanctuary workers, wildlife rehabbers, and others who care about animals, habitats, and the planet as a whole.
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Join us for Sunday Services, book & film talks, guidance for living a spiritual and ethical vegan lifestyle, and community connection.
We also host the Animal Chaplaincy Training program, which prepares community-based non-sectarian chaplains to serve individuals, businesses, and local communities facing human-animal challenges.
OUR OFFERINGS
SUNDAY
SERVICES
Join us on Sunday November 15th from 4-5:30 pm ET / 3-4:30 pm CT / 2-3:30 MT / 1-2:30 PT (8-9:30 pm GMT) with special guest Nathaniel Jordan.
Nathaniel Jordan, known as The Minister of Wellness, is a Christian evangelist, health educator, and passionate advocate for plant-based living. Currently serving as a missionary in Kenya, East Africa, he is the founder of the Health Reformation Church of Jesus Christ, the Nazarene, and Ministry of Wellness, Inc.
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A former U.S. Marine and St. Louis police officer, Nathaniel experienced a profound personal transformation through changes in diet and lifestyle. This journey led him to dedicate his life to teaching the relationship between food, health, and spiritual responsibility... Read more here
Services include thought-provoking reflections, music, spiritual guests, and communtiy community connection time.
ANIMAL ADVOCACY
We advocate for animals and animal advocates.
At the heart of everything we do is a commitment to compassion for all humans, animals, and habitats.
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Our multispecies justice perspective considers the role of secular, philosophical, spiritual, and religious beliefs and practices on the well-being of other creatures, ourselves, and planetary systems.
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We feature animals in our offerings—from our large-group Sunday Services to small-group conversation and support circles—through imagery, audio, video, and their physical presence in order to keep animals in view.
Similarly, our outreach advocacy at public events aims to keep animal advocacy front and center.
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JOIN
COMMUNITY
By becoming a Compassionist, you ensure that our programs remain accessible and welcoming to all who feel called to be here.
Your monthly support sustains us and nurtures our community rooted in compassion. If you feel inspired, we warmly invite you to join our community officially and help carry this work forward. Thank you for helping us live compassion—not just in words, but in action.
animal chaplaincy training
Channel your passion for animals and the planet into a caring and supportive vocation
Animal chaplains provide support for both animals and humans by using ritual, ceremony, and the tools of spiritual companionship. Our training program helps you fulfill your heart’s call to honor and celebrate the lives of all species, including how to companion them through joys and challenges.
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Our program is non-denominational and does not require students to have a specific religious or spiritual outlook. It will, though, prepare you to work with a diverse set of belief systems, so that you can support people regardless of their own outlook.
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Program is offered annually. Our next cohort begins classes in September! Contact us with any questions or schedule a consult with our program director by clicking below.
CONNECTION GROUPS
Each month we offer a variety of online groups for our community and the public.​​
ANIMAL LOSS GROUP
Not every animal-related loss is the same—and neither is the support people need.
Meets every month on the second Thursday from:
8:00–9:00 p.m. ET
7:00–8:00 p.m. CT
6:00–7:00 p.m. MT
5:00–6:00 p.m. PT
When you attend, you can choose a focus group that most closely reflects the loss you are carrying, whether it is:
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Animal Companion (“Pet”) Loss
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Shelter Animal Loss
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Wildlife Rehabilitation Loss
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Farm Sanctuary Animal Loss
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Extinction/Planetary Loss (Including eco-grief)
Each evening brings together people navigating a similar kind of loss and is supported by an animal chaplain facilitator educated in the distinctive needs of that area.
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Come talk, cry, grieve, remember—and be understood.
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Facilitated by The Rev'd Dr. Sarah Bowen & Rev. Marshall Hammer
ANIMAL ACTIVIST ONLINE SUPPORT
A free, confidential support group by phone, smart phone, or computer.
Meets every month on the 4th Thursday from 8 - 9 p.m. ET.
Come discuss burnout, self-care, compassion fatigue, infighting, anger, grief, depression, communicating with non-activists, and other activist concerns.
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Facilitated by Animal Chaplain Lisa Levinson and hosted by In Defense of Animals. ​
VEGAN MEDITATION
A weekly online peaceful half-hour of vegan-oriented meditation and mindful sharing.
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Meets the frst and third Monday of each month:
9:00–10:00 p.m. ET
8:00–9:00 p.m. CT
7:00–8:00 p.m. MT
6:00–7:00 p.m. PT
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Come meditate with us in silence, then share brief thoughts on a topic related to compassion, mindfulness or veganism. Our aim through this practice is to cultivate greater internal peace and presence, and to bring greater mindfulness and compassion to our interactions with the external world and all its inhabitants.
Facilitated by David Simon.
join the compassionist circle
A time to connect with other animal advocates.
When you become a Compassionist, you join a welcoming community of people who believe caring for animals, one another, and our shared world can be both an ethical and spiritual practice. Throughout the year, you'll get opportunities to connect with others in our monthly Compassionist Circles and special gatherings.
OUR TEAM
Compassion Consortium sustained by a group of visionary leadership, dedicated team members, and passionate volunteers.
VISIONARY CO-FOUNDERS: WILLIAM MELTON AND VICTORIA MORAN
Compassion Consoritum's founder, Rev. William Melton, is a passionate vegan, animal advocate, and visionary dedicated to creating a more compassionate world. Upon becoming ordained as an interfaith minister, William envisioned a community where people involved in animal advocacy, spirituality, and veganism could meet. Combining forces with Victoria Moran, author and founder of
the Main Street Vegan Academy, the Consortium began to take shape.
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The powerful partnership continues to hold the compassionate center of the organization.
ACT FOUNDING DIRECTOR:
DR. SARAH BOWEN
Sarah A. Bowen, DMin, MSc, FOCAE is the innovative Animal Chaplaincy Training program at Compassion Consortium. through which she equips humans to offer profound emotional and spiritual care for all beings in the more-than-just-human world. Coining the term "interspecies spiritual care," Bowen completed the first IRB-approved mapping of the multifaceted field, which includes animal chaplaincy, veterinary chaplaincy, and tangential subfields. She is a Fellow at the Oxford Centre for Animal Ethics.
BOARD MEMBER & DIRECTOR OF ENGAGEMENT:
JENNIFER BAKER
​Animal Chaplain Jennifer Baker fosters communication within our community, strengthens connections, and expands engagement opportunities. As part of the leadership team, she helps organize special events and participates in monthly Sunday Services, supporting the organization's mission, community spirit, and outreach.
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Photo location: Farm Sanctuary, Watkins Glen, NY.
