UPCOMING MONTHLY SERVICE DATES ARE 6/27/21, 7/25/21, 8/22/21, 9/26/21...
Interfaith. Interspiritual. Interspecies.
order of service
June 27, 2021
4:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. eastern time
Guided by:
Reverend William Melton
Reverend Sarah Bowen
Victoria Moran
Reverend Erika Allison
​
Welcome and Words of Inspiration
"Diversity in the animal kingdom"
by Reverend Sarah Bowen
​
The Compassion Consortium Tenets of Agreement
Introduction by William Melton
Read by Hope & Cogen Bohanec. Hope is a 30-year vegan, animal activist, published author, and host of the Hope for the Animals Podcast. Her husband of 20 years, Cogen, is her guru. Cogen has his PhD in religious studies with an emphasis on Hinduism, a Masters in Buddhist Studies, is fluent in Sanskrit, and is an initiated devotee of the Hindu Gaudiya Vaishnava (pronounced: Go-dee-ah Vysh-nah-vah) Tradition.
​
​
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
"All Who Enter Here" by Beth Ertz and Dr. Bera Bordini. Beth is a long-time composer, arranger and musician for both Hollywood and Broadway. She is also a committed vegan, dog rescuer and animal rights activist. Bera, Beth’s sister, is a vegan naturopathic doctor living in New Mexico, affectionately known by her friends and clients as "The Singing Doctor".
Interspecies Spiritual Practice
Reverend Erika Allison and some of the many beings at Farm Sanctuary lead us in a few minutes of spiritual practice.
​
Jane Velez-Mitchell in Conversation with Victoria Moran
Jane is the founder and content editor of JaneUnChained, a multi-platform social media news outlet that produces original video content on animal rights and the vegan/compassionate lifestyle. She has won four Genesis Awards from the Humane Society of the United States for her reporting on animal issues. VegNews named Velez-Mitchell Media Maven of the Year in 2010. In 2013, Mercy for Animals awarded her their Compassionate Leadership Award. In 2014, she was honored for fighting animal abuse by the Animal Legal Defense Fund. In 2015, she received the Nanci Alexander Award at PETA’s 35th anniversary. For six years she hosted her own show on CNN Headline News, where she ran a weekly segment on animal issues. Previously, Velez-Mitchell reported for the nationally syndicated Warner Brothers/Telepictures show Celebrity Justice, where she did numerous stories on animal issues championed by celebrities. Velez-Mitchell is the author of four books, including her New York Times bestselling memoir, Want: My Journey from Addiction and Overconsumption to a Simpler, Honest Life. Velez-Mitchell directed and produced the documentary Anita Velez: Dancing Through Life which won a Gracie award in 2001.
​
Compassion in Action: A Short Story with Mother Pigeon (Tina Trachtenburg)
A personal sharing and reflection led by Reverend Erika Allison
​
Mother Pigeon is a Brooklyn-based performance artist, fabric artist, vegan, and advocate for many of New York City’s small, and often under-appreciated, wildlife.
​
​
​
Blessings & Prayers
Seed ritual led by Reverend 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
Rainbow Connection by Paul Williams.
Performed by Kermit the Frog
​
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!
​
​
​
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.