Arizona Animal Kinship Ministry Celebrates 5th Anniversary
Model Animal Kinship Ministry Invites Other Churches to Expand the Circle of Compassion...
by Kris Haley, Best Friends Special Projects ManagerIt was a typically busy Sunday at the Animal Kinship Ministry's (AKM) information table and while business was bustling, it was nowhere near as busy as the AKM's first five years! As more and more faith philosophies begin to add AKM's to their pastoral care offerings, the AKM at New Vision Spiritual Growth Center in Scottsdale, AZ , continues to raise the bar. Recently celebrating its 5th anniversary, it shows little sign of slowing down. Says AKM founder, Leslie Savage, "The animal companions of our congregants are viewed as members of our church community; we are very fortunate that New Vision Center is so supportive of our efforts."
Who Are They?
A dedicated group of volunteers of the New Vision Center community drawn together by their mutual love and respect for animals and corresponding desire to serve the community. With a purpose of, "...expanding awareness of our oneness with All life, we honor and support the unique human-animal bond in our spiritual community through prayer, education and service," this group leaves no stone unturned with regard to raising awareness for animals.
What Do They Do?
Education: They man a monthly information table filled with a broad spectrum of animal information from A to Z. If congregants have any animal-related questions whatsoever, they are encouraged to stop by. In addition, they also conduct animal-centric lessons in the youth church, write articles for the church newsletter and recently introduced an AKM Pet Tip of the Week feature in the church bulletin.
Outreach : Embodying true community partnership, the AKM supports local animal groups through such events as an annual Compassionate Easter Basket sale; a fundraiser for a local wildlife rescue and rehab organization and a holiday Claus for Paws campaign where several local shelters benefit from the generous contributions of community members. The group even used outreach to create its new logo, featured alongside this article. They invited high school students to submit entries!
Events : The group sponsors animal-themed lectures, workshops and celebratory events, such as an annual Pet Blessing, and apprises the community of pertinent animal issues and campaigns.
Service : The AKM prayer team provides affirmative prayer support for pets and their people in need. All requests receive prayer support during illness or impending death. The group also conducts pet remembrance ceremonies and provides pet grief support for congregants moving through the grief process.
When Do They Do It?
The AKM Information Table is on the church patio the first Sunday of each month, typically announced from the pulpit. Some Sundays congregants are treated to vegetarian or vegan food samples and literature. The group has extensive archives containing very diverse and comprehensive animal info and encourages church members to bring their questions.
They hold monthly meetings to plan activities, have lovely brochures available that outline their services and send out email advisories to announce meetings or other pieces of beneficial information.
Community partnerships are a cornerstone of the AKM philosophy. A recent garage sale, held to support a local cat rescue, raised $1200 in just one day!
Holding the vision that all creatures deserve to be loved, respected and included in all life, the New Vision Center AKM continues to blaze the trail in this amazing new component of animal welfare. Says Savage, " We would love nothing more than to see other religious and spiritual organizations add an Animal Kinship Ministry to the pastoral support component of their community. It adds a new dimension of kindness and compassion for our furry, feathered and finned family menbers...and those who love them."
Happy 5th Anniversary to New Vision Center's Animal Kinship Ministry!
For more information about the AKM, visit:
http://www.newvisionaz.org/workshops/Animal_Kinship_Ministry_Events.htm Visit and JOIN Best Friends Animals & Religion Network Community at: www.network.bestfriends.org/religion