Interfaith. Interspiritual. Interspecies.
Guided by:
Reverend William Melton
Reverend Sarah Bowen
Reverend Erika Allison
Victoria Moran
Welcome and Words of Inspiration
"On Belonging"
by Rev. Sarah Bowen
The Compassion Consortium Tenets of Agreement
Introduction by Rev. William
Read by Jack Harkins
Jack is a life long spiritual seeker: 40 years as a committed Catholic, 10 years as an Episcopalian, 5 years a Lutheran, 10 years a committed UU, and the last 5 years in search of an association/ fellowship that preaches a Vegan Gospel (He feels right at home finally here at CC!) Ironically, while living on his friend's dairy farm in 2006, he had an experience that led him to begin eating as a vegetarian, and by 2013 transitioned to a vegan lifestyle Retired from careers as a mental health counselor and US postal worker, Jack is currently living with his wife, Diane and cat, Nittany, at McGraw House in Ithaca, NY where he spends too much time on FB
1. We acknowledge a Divine Force at the heart of the universe, and in all living beings. We may refer to this force as God, but It is known by many names and appears in different forms or as formless.
2. We recognize the common moral principles inherent within all wisdom traditions.
3. We affirm that compassion, reverence for life and nonviolence are fundamental to religious faith and moral philosophy, and are to be extended to all sentient beings.
4. We stand by the principles of inclusion, diversity, and equality, and hold these as essential in our human relations.
5. We hold that nonhuman animals are imbued with the same essence of life and love as are human animals, and that there is moral parity between us.
6. We avow that humans do not own the earth, its resources, or its inhabitants, but instead must be involved in their protection and care.
7. We endeavor to eat and live in a kind and sustainable manner, moving away from animal foods and animal-derived clothing, as well as any activities that cause harm to our fellow beings, human or otherwise.
8. We aim to provide spiritual comfort, fellowship, and food for thought to those practicing or exploring a vegan lifestyle.
9. We offer guidance and peer support for all those seeking a more compassionate and spiritual life.
10. We commit to sharing these principles freely, with humility and respect, in support of nonhuman animals and the earth.
Song of Compassion
"Man in the Mirror" by Michael Jackson
Interspecies Spiritual Practice
"Calm in the Chaos" with Rev. Erika
Keith Akers in Conversation with Victoria Moran
Keith Akers is a writer and vegan activist. He is the author of three books: Disciples: How Jewish Christianity Shaped Jesus and Shattered the Church; The Lost Religion of Jesus: Simple Living and Nonviolence in Early Christianity; and A Vegetarian Sourcebook. For his current writing project, he is working on a book on the environmental crisis, tentatively titled Embracing Limits. Discussion of the historical Jesus, the roots of Christianity and the earliest Jewish followers of Jesus: the Essenes, Ebionites and Nazoreans. And explore the question of whether Jesus was a vegetarian, and why the answer to this question matters in today’s world.
Compassion in Action: A Short Story with Marian Hailey-Moss
A personal sharing and reflection led by Erika Allison
Marian Hailey-Moss came to New York City from her hometown in Seattle Washington. She was an actress on the Broadway Stage but is best known for her role As Brenda in the movie "Lovers and Other Strangers." She become a psychotherapist and is now writing children’s books about kindness to animals and the benefits of a vegan diet. She self-publishes, along with Marc Chalvin the Parisian illustrator, under the name "Kindness Books." Her books have been used as teaching tools in Peta’s program TeachKind, by Clorofil.org and in Africa by Elephantopia. She had a six part interview and reading of her book Mother Nature's Secret on Supreme Master Television. Her books are now being sold at United Poultry Concerns, Clorofil.org, Skylands Animal Sanctuary and Rescue, Goatlandia, and Amazon and Barnes and Noble.
Blessings & Prayers
A Rebellious Nativity led by Rev. Sarah Bowen
You will be invited to share the names of your new arrivals and departed companions in the chat box.
Group Prayer/Blessing
May all creatures everywhere be happy and free.
May the thoughts, words, and actions of our life
contribute to this happiness and this freedom for all.
May it be so. So mote it be.
Closing Remarks & Invitation to Fellowship
If you would like to support the mission and programming of this community, please consider contributing:
Closing Song
"Happy Xmas - War is Over (A.R. Remix)" by D.J. Gan-G
Spiritual Fellowship & Open Discussion
Participants who remain will be randomly sorted into small groups for 20 minutes of Fellowship. We hope you'll join us!
If you found this service meaningful, please contribute your "offering" to help the Compassion Consortium's operating expenses. Thank you!
The Compassion Consortium is being organized pursuant to the New York Not-for Profit Corporation Law and Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code (pending), and will operate as a not-for-profit spiritual and educational fellowship. Accordingly, we request that political, partisan and lobbying discussions and activities be avoided in the Consortium’s activities, forums and social media platforms. We also request that all discussions, input and contributions be conducted with decorum and in a positive spirit of respect, tolerance, civility and harmony.