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Update Newsletters
12 August 2009 Issue

1. Activist Feedback

2. Commentary on the Lectionary: Focusing Our Lives on God

3. This week’s Sermon from Rev. Frank and Mary Hoffman

1. Activist Feedback

Sisters Darina, Lubica, and Petra leafleted at Ignite Chicago 09 Christian Rock Festival in Schaumburg, IL. Darina relates that they distributed 644 CVA booklets, and she writes:

What an ideal leafleting event. Hundreds of people (the vast majority under 25) lined up to hear Christian rock bands at a big stadium. We got there early to be prepared. There was some security and we weren’t sure if we were on private grounds so we waited until the gates opened and the crowd started moving. This was my sisters’ (who are visiting me from Slovakia for the summer) first-time-ever leafleting experience. They were a bit nervous, but as soon as we started, they turned into leafleting pros.

The crowd thought we belonged to the event, and virtually everyone who was offered a booklet took one. Some people whom we missed approached us and asked for the booklets. One girl asked me if we were Mercy for Animals, and she said she was a member. Many people said “Awesome information” and such. After the main crowd got past us, we stayed a little longer, and leafleted smaller groups of late-comers.

It really was a perfect event – a big crowd of very civil, respectful audience. Lubica and Petra totally rocked. We were very glad we came. Thanks to Jack Norris (Vegan Outreach) for promoting the CVA events; what a great example of how veg advocacy organizations work together to maximize the outreach.

Upcoming Leafleting Opportunities

Contact Paris at [email protected]  if you can to help. To find out about all upcoming leafleting and tabling opportunities in your area, join the CVA Calendar Group at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/christian_vegetarian/

2. Commentary on the Lectionary: Focusing Our Lives on God

August 16

Ephesians 5:15-20:
Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with all your heart, always and for everything giving thanks in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God the Father.

This passage reminds us that our opportunity to serve God is limited. Paul recognized the pressing need to serve God, “because the days are evil.” If the days were evil at that time, then they are arguably much more so today. For example, humanity has institutionalized cruelty in ways that allow the torture and murder of innocent creatures to a far greater extent than was imaginable in Paul’s time.

I do not think that Paul condemned all forms of enjoyment. But we should avoid activities that impede our calling. Drunkenness, for example, impairs judgment, and we have been called to “look carefully” and be wise. I think we can become “drunk” in other ways than excess alcohol consumption. A contemporary form of drunkenness is obsession with trivial matters, which takes our minds off what really counts. As monumental human and nonhuman needs go unaddressed, the public focuses much of its time and energy on sports, the foibles of actors, petty jealousies, and unnecessary consumer products. We don’t need to place all of our attention on weighty matters, but our culture’s general head-in-the-sand mentality permits great injustices, and leaves society-at-large very vulnerable to catastrophe.

Stephen R. Kaufman, M.D.

3. This week’s Sermon from Rev. Frank and Mary Hoffman

Do Not Be Afraid! Take the Hand of Jesus
http://www.all-creatures.org/sermons97/s12aug90.html .

Your question and comments are welcome

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