An opportunity for the churches in the Diocese of Chicago
Since “Resolution I” passed so overwhelmingly in the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago last November, I think it is important to find a way to implement it.
Although I am not a public speaker, I have two excellent documentaries called “The Witness” and “Peaceable Kingdom” which speak for themselves. I would like to volunteer my time to come out to any church in the diocese who would invite me, to show either one of these films to anyone who would like to attend, as the most effective way I can think of, to help congregations within the diocese engage in “continuing” dialogue about the treatment of captive and domestic animals and our responsibility as stewards of creation, by offering a resource that would better educate others about the plight of animals, and hopefully encourage them to be able to make informed choices, and to take all appropriate actions to help protect animals from unnecessary suffering.
Although both films deal with daunting issues, they are really stories of hope which demonstrate what one or two people can do to make a real difference as a response. One of the paragraphs on the back of the “Peaceable Kingdom” cover says, “Breaking generations of silence in the farm community, Peaceable Kingdom weaves together themes of respect, forgiveness, commitment, and healing, offering a vision of a more peaceful world that is well within our reach.” Those seem like Christian concepts to me, even though the films would be considered secular.
Information about this will be included in the upcoming issue of “Connect”.
Or, send an inquiry to info@episcoveg.com.
For more information about the films, click on the pictures:
I also have two other documentaries: “A Cow At My Table” (81 minutes), and PSYETA’s “Beyond Violence”, which is very short (13 1/2 minutes) and would be worthwhile for anyone in professions that put them in contact with victims of domestic violence or violent crime. And, I had one a few years ago, called “We Are All Noah”. But I lent it out, and never got it back. (A priest I know showed “We Are All Noah” in place of a sermon one week.) If you could obtain a copy from Culture and Animals, PETA, or elsewhere, it is a great one to show at a church or synagogue, even though it’s from the ’80’s.
One thing churches can do when they’re looking for a humanitarian or economic development organization to support as part of their outreach ministry, is to consider an organization that helps people without exploiting animals. I found some good ones on the Internet. Click here for a list of organizations I’ve started.
Today’s blurb bumped an “artistic” link to the Archbishop of Canterbury’s Easter Sermon from the home page. (Maybe I am the only person in the World Wide Anglican Communion who would make such a connection between some themes in his sermon and a sketch I drew a couple of years ago. That ought to pique your curiosity! I still haven’t figured it out, myself.)
Tags: Lent