Engaging a Religious Community: A Story of One Small Group _____________________________

1
Engaging a Religious CommunityA Story of One
Small Group_____________________________

• The Task Force on Animals
• A subcommittee of the Bishops Committee on the
  Environment in the Episcopal Diocese of
  Olympia(western Washington state)

2
Excerpt from RESOLUTION D015 Merciful
Humane Treatment of Gods Creatures______________
____________________________ 

• urge Diocesan Environmental Commissions to
  provide information to educate our congregations
  about decisions that would affect the lives and
  health of endangered species, farmed food animals
  and domesticated animals

3
___________ 

• http//www.humanesociety.org/about/departments/fai
  th/facts/statements/

4
(No Transcript)
5

• Saint Francis Day materials
• Bulletin Insert
• Liturgy with blessing of the animals
• Sermon
• Sunday school lesson
• Prayers

6
Church Calendar Projects___________ 

• Christmas Card
• Service
• project suggestions

7
Lenten Discipline

• Suggestions for Compassionate Eating

Keeping an Environmentally Kind Kitchen
Choosing Local, Organic, Simple Food Eating
with Compassion for God's Creatures Responding
to a Hungry and Thirsty World Embracing
Christian Hospitality Prayer Fasting during
Holy Week
8

• Easters Gentle Eggs Grant
• Hen eggless cooking/baking education

9
Thanksgiving Eating TogetherChristian
Hospitality in a Dietarily Diverse Society

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• Cathedral Day Activities
• Animal Lyrics tofavorite hymns
• Face PaintingAnimal costume contest

11
Church Calendar Projects________________________
__________________ 

• Saint Francis Day
• Thanksgiving
• Christmas Lent Easter
• Cathedral Day

12
Upcoming Projects_______________________________
___________ 

• Website
• Online Book Group
• Online Retreats
• Interfaith Wildlife Workshop
• Advocacy Letters

13
Mission Statement of the Task Force on
Animals__________________________________________
 

• Recognizing that each animal life is beloved by
  God the Creator, the Task Force on Animals
  assists the Diocese of Olympia in honoring the
  sacredness of all animals and seeking the
  reconciliation of all creation.

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What We Do______________________________________
____ 

• Celebrate the sacredness and worth of all
  animals Give voice to every creature by
  advocating for love, compassion and justice
  for all animals Encourage understanding of
  ways humans and animals affect each other
  and the environment Educate about cruelty,
  neglect and disregard toward animals
• Support spiritual needs during times of animal
  adoption, blessing, illness, death, or grief

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Lessons Learned________________________________
__________ 

• Engage people through what we have in common
•  
• Be inviting and inclusive (not confrontational)
• Inspire compassion (not guilt)
• Find small ways people can make changes that
  are easy, practical, and sustainable for them
• Stress the idea that one person can make a
  difference
• Be persistent and patient

16
Contact Information______________________

• Moira Fulton
• mfulton_at_highline.edu
• The Task Force on Animals
• A subcommittee of the Bishops Committee on the
  Environment In the Episcopal Diocese of
  Olympia(western Washington state)