9 December 2009 Issue - Christian Vegetarian Association Update Newsletters


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Update Newsletters
9 December 2009 Issue

1. Directory of Vegetarian (Vegan) Pastors and Churches

2. Comment on the Lectionary: The Peace of God

3. Sermon from Rev. Frank and Mary Hoffman

4. The December Peaceable Table issue

5. World Day for the Abolition of Me

1. Directory of Vegetarian (Vegan) Pastors and Churches

From Veda at All-Creatures.org :

We need assistance to expand our Directory of Vegetarian (Vegan) Pastors and Churches
http://www.all-creatures.org/church/churchdir.html.

We have 24 so far.

Please let me know if you have any suggestions for possible additions to our Directory.

Thank you . . . for animals everywhere!
[email protected]
360/631-5100

2. Comment on the Lectionary: Philippians 4:4-7

The Peace of God

This passage reads: Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let all men know your forbearance. The Lord is at hand. Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

The faith of Christ encourages trust in God’s concern and goodness. Yet we know that suffering and death are parts of life, and many decent people have terrible fortune. This passage reminds us that having faith quells anxiety and grants believers “the peace of God.” Our prayers might not be answered in the sense that we get what we desire, but by a mysterious process “which passes all understanding” we can gain a sense of inner peace and “keep [our] hearts and [our] minds in Christ Jesus.”

This is reassuring to those who are suffering or who perceive a bleak future. Many such people have doubts about God’s goodness or even about God’s existence. I think this passage teaches that we don’t need certainty about God or the nature of God. When faith inspires God-centered actions, such as prayer or helping others, those actions help heal our wounds and give a sense of inner peace. Jesus said, “Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:29-30).

Stephen R. Kaufman, M.D.

3. Sermon from Rev. Frank and Mary Hoffman

The Hypocrisy of Christmas "Peace on Earth"
http://www.all-creatures.org/sermons98/s20091206.html

4. The December Peaceable Table issue

Contents include:

* The Editorial, "Save the Day," reflects on the historical setting of Dickens' Christmas Carol, and the story's potential for a compassionate and joyous holyday/holiday. It focuses on the Christian festival, but we hope our readers of other religious persuasions will also find that the suggestions for renewing old forms of merrymaking offer enrichment for their own celebrations.

* In A Glimpse of the Peaceable Kingdom, we see a compassionate maternal dog nurturing a tiny abandoned piglet.

* In a Review of The School of Compassion, a book by English Catholic activist Deborah Jones, we see the very mixed attitudes toward animals in the Roman Catholic Church's past, and its potential for major change.

* Try out the gluten-free Chocolate Brownie Cookies in the Recipe section for your holyday celebration! You are guaranteed much enjoyment.

We are always searching for Pilgrim and Pioneer pieces. Please give serious thought to writing up your own story or that of a trail-blazer of whom you know. Whether it is quiet or dramatic, your narrative may well encourage and inspire others.

To read this issue, go to http://www.vegetarianfriends.net/issue60.html

GOD BLESS US, EVERY ONE!

Gracia Fay Ellwood
Editor

5. World Day for the Abolition of Meat

January 30, 2010 – worldwide protests and actions
http://youtube.com/watch?v=z-iUs0kaDB0

Your actions can be reported on this website:
http://www.nomoremeat.org/.

Your question and comments are welcome

This site is hosted and maintained by
The Mary T. and Frank L. Hoffman Family Foundation.

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