Best Friends Animals and Religion Multifaith Outreach Program salutes First Unitarian of Salt Lake City, Utah.

by Michelle Buckalew, Best Friends Multifaith Outreach Program

First Unitarian Church member Debbie Goodman nominates her church in light of their leadership for the animals and community.

Here is Ms. Goodmans' winning nomination.

I would like to nominate First Unitarian Church of Salt Lake City which has formed a new Animal Ministry as part of its Social Justice program. The Animal Ministry is open to both adults and youth, and as such is the first inter-generational social justice effort at First Unitarian. The group meets monthly, has been gathering signatures for the Religious Proclamation for Animal Compassion, is submitting monthly articles on humane issues to the Church Newsletter, and has planned out its goals and activities for the upcoming year. The group's first major event will be the presentation of a video on October 17 on the environmental and health consequences of a meat-based diet. This event will be held jointly with the Church's Environmental Ministry.

Debbie Goodman
North Salt Lake, Utah

Ms Goodman explains how she and her church, First Unitarian, are addressing compassion towards animals through faith.

"This started when I read about the "Religious Proclamation for Animal Compassion" in the
January issue of Best Friends Magazine early this year. I had been wanting to get folks at my church, First Unitarian in Salt Lake City, involved in helping animals as part of our extensive Social Justice Program, but couldn't figure out the right vehicle until I saw the Best Friends magazine article.

Based on the article, I contacted Best Friends employee Ellen Gilmore to find out more. She put me in touch with Kris Haley, and soon I was enrolled in training to become an Animals and Religion Ambassador. I then met with our church Board of Trustees to gain approval to begin gathering signatures for the Proclamation from our church members. Signature gathering began in April.

As my efforts began, our church's Director of Religious Education, LeeAnn Williams, let me know that she was passionate about this issue, as well. LeeAnn worked with other church staff to organize a book discussion group on ethical eating issues, and she offered to work with me to form an Animal Ministry group over the summer.

We were very fortunate that another church member Joan Gregory soon joined the effort. Joan is a member of the Board of Trustees, and also leads the Environmental Ministry group that she formed a few years ago. We have benefited so tremendously from her knowledge and experience. And Joan's group had been wanting to communicate and educate as to the environmental impact of a meat-based diet as part of their efforts, so there are common goals.

We let the Animal Ministry members vote on their priorities and goals for the coming year, and they decided to show Mark Bittman's video in October, World Animal Month, as their first project. They are hoping it will lead to a discussion of compassionate eating for "Thanks-Living" and other holidays.

Our first event event is on Friday, October 17, and we hope it will be a success! We are a new group, with only a few members so far, and at times this can be challenging. We are looking forward to our very first event! "

If you would like to become involved with First Unitarian Animal Ministry, please email Debbie at crittercollages@msn.com



What else you can do:

1. Learn more about all the wonderful people and programs at First Unitarian.
First Unitarian Church
569 S 1300 E
Salt Lake City, UT 84102
(801) 582-8687
Click Here

2. Read about Mark Bittman, one of the country's best-known and widely admired food writers and television personalities.
Click Here

3. Become a Best Friends member and receive the Best Friends magazine.
Click Here

4. Sign the Religious Proclamation for Animal Compassion.
Click Here

5. If you would like to nominate your faith organization, email Best Friends AAR Multifaith manager Kris Haley at krish@bestfriends or post your nomination below as a comment.