UPCOMING MONTHLY SERVICE DATES ARE 9/26/21, 10/24/21, 11/28/21, 12/26/21...
Interfaith. Interspiritual. Interspecies.
Guided by:
Reverend William Melton
Reverend Sarah Bowen
Reverend Erika Allison
Victoria Moran
Welcome and Words of Inspiration
"The Importance of Spiritual Practice"
by Rev. Sarah Bowen
The Compassion Consortium Tenets of Agreement
Introduction by Rev. William
Read by Beth Ertz
Beth Ertz is a long time composer, arranger and musician for both Hollywood and Broadway. She is also committed vegan, dog rescuer and animal rights activist.
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
"Peace Train" by Yusuf Islam & Friends
Interspecies Spiritual Practice
with Rev. Erika & some beings from Farm Sanctuary
Duke McLeod in Conversation with Victoria Moran
Duke is a practicing Sufi Muslim and emerging Islamic scholar. We will be discussing issues regarding veganism and animals in the context of Islam.
Duke is a PhD researcher in Social Anthropology at the University of Otago in Aotearoa, New Zealand. His research interest is the relationship of religiosity and lifestyle, in particular Muslims’ attitudes towards different aspects of veganism. After studying Middle Eastern Archaeology at the Freie Universität in Berlin, Duke switched to Social Anthropology for his postgraduate studies at Otago. In his dissertation “A path of Justice and Compassion – About Vegan Muslims and Islamic Veganism” he explored the intersection of Islam and veganism, with a focus on online advocacy.
This laid the groundwork for his current PhD project, in which Duke investigates the roles of different aspects of Muslims’ religiosity (beliefs, practices, affiliation, etc.) and social environments (families, support, social pressure) in their decisions to adopt and practice a vegan lifestyle. His research is motivated by the aim to learn more about potential factors that may lead Muslims to adopt a vegan lifestyle and thus creating information that can be utilized in vegan advocacy work in Muslim contexts.
Compassion in Action: A Short Story with Sande Nosonowitz
A personal sharing and reflection led by Erika Allison
Sande is a Registered Yoga Teacher, Main Street Vegan- Certified Vegan Lifestyle Coach Educator, and author of Oblivious: A Vegan Memoir. Sande lives in Palm Beach Gardens Florida.
Blessings & Prayers
Led by Rev. Sarah Bowen & Duke McLeod
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
"Heaven is a Place on Earth"
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.