Journey To The Summit: Part IV - A Religious Proclamation for Animal Compassion - We've Arrived!
Join us Wednesday, November 7th...
For A Religious Proclamation for Animal Compassion
In this fourth in a series of articles recapping Best Friends' Animals & Religion’s journey....and what is finally before us, learn how YOU can join in the November 7th celebration!
by Kris Haley, Manager of Multifaith OutreachOver the last few weeks you have journeyed with us through all of the hills and valleys that led us to the event that awaits us in just a few short days.
As we shared with you last week, on November 7th, in the Cannon Caucus Building in Washington, D.C., people and leaders of faith will come together to issue a call to action to reject animal cruelty in all of its forms and will join hands to form a circle of compassion and kindness to celebrate and protect the animals with whom we share the planet.
While it may be the culmination of months of hard work and dedication, it is important to reiterate, loud and clear, that this event is not a “conclusion,” it is
only the beginning! The
real work now unfolds directly before us as people of faith combine to spread the seeds of compassion inspired by the Proclamation, within and beyond their respective religious and spiritual organizations, just as ripples move forth from even the tiniest pebble toss.
HOW YOU CAN HELP!
One common thread linking people of faith who love animals is a significantly heightened desire to be of service. It is the common denominator that brings us together to make change for animals within our faith traditions!
While next week’s historic event in Washington, D.C. is very exciting for those who are planning to join us…it is just as exciting to celebrate from afar, and we’d like to invite you to do just that! Here are a few ways YOU can participate along with us on November 7th:
• First and foremost, if you cannot be in Washington D.C. with us next week, be SURE to check in right here, to sign the Proclamation online! Let’s get off to a roaring start as we commence our journey toward one million signatures! Get your cyber-pen ready and visit
http://www.bestfriends.org/signproc at noon EST on the 7th!
• Participate in an exciting new Prayer Circle debuting in the FORUM section of the Animals & Religion Network Community. Hosted by Deacon Joseph Dwyer, the upcoming Prayer Circle will operate in real time and, will offer prayer in support of the Proclamation and specifically, the animals of the world who are cited within. Following the debut of the Prayer Circle, keep checking in to see upcoming topics for which prayer will be offered. Keep checking back for the commencement date!
• If you are a teacher, have your students create a Chain of Compassion to decorate your classroom. Cut strips of white or colored paper and have your class write, on each strip, how they would show kindness and compassion to animals. Ask them to include, farm animals, companion animals and animals who may experience cruelty, all over the world. Then, have them fold the strips into links, interconnecting them with those of their fellow classmates. If your principal is willing, have each class in the school participate and meet in the library or auditorium where teachers can add their own links to join each classes’ chains together. Parents can help kids to do a smaller version at home; be sure all family members get to participate!
• Have an art show in your home or classroom. Have the children create art that illustrates compassion in action between people and animals. Encourage them to be creative and participate in this exciting day from afar!
• If you are a parent, help your child, STAKE YOUR CLAIM FOR COMPASSION! At the local nursery or hardware store, pick up a few garden stakes or paint stirrers and some non-toxic craft paint and let your kids create stakes of kindness and compassion for animals!. They can paint a picture illustrating kindness or trace and paint the word compassion. Or they can create a series and include the date of November 7th and Washington, D.C. Then, take them and Stake Your Claim For Compassion by lining your driveway with the stakes, or, if you’re a teacher, line the walkway to your school or to the recess area.
• If you are a parent or a teacher, choose an animal themed book that illustrates the traits of kindness and compassion to read in class next Wednesday. Or have children write a paper on what it means to show kindness or compassion toward an animal.
• Tie white ribbons on a tree in your front yard or put a safety candle on your front porch to commemorate the occasion.
• Pick up a straw or grapevine wreath at a local craft store and some gently used stuffed animals at yard sales or a resale shop. Gather some autumn leaves and ribbon and have the kids help you to create a celebratory Circle of Compassion wreath to hang on your front door! Decorate it with leaves and ribbon and stuffed animals to send a message to your neighbors that your home is a place where kindness to animals is in practice every day!
• It’s starting to get chilly so next Wednesday, do a towel or blanket drive in your school classroom or in your neighborhood. Drop off the collected items at your local shelter, in honor of the Proclamation!
• After it is published on Wednesday, download a .PDF copy of the Proclamation to share with your faith leader, family and friends!
Won't you join us! Wherever you live, you can make a difference! How creative are you? What ideas do YOU have? We invite you to share them by clicking on the POST A COMMENT icon at the conclusion of this article. Don’t be shy…your ideas will inspire others! Your participation is limited only by your imagination!
Send us photos of what you have done and we’ll post them right here on the Animals & Religion Network Community. Inspire others with your creativity and compassion! It’s a
great way to celebrate right along with us!
In the coming weeks, you will be reading about the next phase of this movement where the message of kindness and compassion for animals is spread, far and wide, into faith communities all over the planet! Won’t you join us and be a part of this work of the soul! This is only the beginning! Start by signing A Religious Proclamation for Animal Compassion! Visit
http://www.bestfriends.org/signproc at noon EST on the 7th! And then, become a member of the Animals & Religion Network Community at
http://www.network.bestfriends.org/religion, and stay tuned for more exciting information!
Photo of Vinny the Pug as he reaches the Summit! In the summer of 2001 Vinny made an unsuccessful attempt to climb atop a large boulder in Scottsdale, Arizona. The next day he returned and triumphantly mounted that boulder, thus marking the start of his two and ½ year Quest to set a new “Guinness World Record.” Vinny has earned worldwide recognition for his incredible climbing skills. Today he is known in several countries around the world as “Vinny the Pug.” Photo courtesy of Vinny’s dedicated climbing coach and personal advisor, Allen Kimble.