Weekly Newsletter - July 24, 2014
From Christian Vegetarian Association (CVA)

  1. Upcoming Activist Opportunities
  2. Essay: Peacemaking - Part 1: The Need for Peacemakers
  3. Commentary on an Excellent Essay
  4. This Week’s Sermon by Rev. Frank and Mary Hoffman

1. Upcoming Activist Opportunities

We need volunteers to spread the veg message to our brothers and sisters in Christ! Below are some prime opportunities to leaflet. If you might be able to help, contact Lorena at LorenaValenziVeg@gmail.com. Volunteers can earn up to $18/hour for the animal protection or veg. group of their choice.

07/31/2014 OH, Cincinnati No Plan B Tour 2014
08/02/2014 VA, Fairfax Matthew West
08/08/2014 PA, Lancaster Third Day
08/9-10/2014 IL, Naperville VeggieFest Chicago
08/14/2014 MA, Boston Hillsong Worship No Other Name Tour
08/15/2014 MD, Baltimore Hillsong Worship No Other Name Tour
08/15/2014 PA, Pittsburgh 3 Rivers of Hope – Tenth Avenue North
08/16/2014 NC, Charlotte Hillsong Worship No Other Name Tour
08/16/2014 VA, Fairfax Third Day
08/18/2014 LA, Baton Rouge Hillsong Worship No Other Name Tour
08/19/2014 TX, San Antonio Hillsong Worship No Other Name Tour
08/21-23/14 ON, Toronto CANADA, Joyce Meyer Conference 2014
08/22/2014 NC, Cary Third Day
08/23/2014 PA, Bethlehem Bethlehem VegFest
08/23/2014 OK, Tulsa Hillsong Worship No Other Name Tour
08/31/2014 GA, Atlanta Newboys
09/5-7/2014 Canada-Toronto Toronto Vegetarian Food Fair http://festival.veg.ca/
09/13/2014 CA, Anaheim Matthew West
09/20/2014 TX, Dallas Matthew West
09/20/2014 DC, Washington DC VegFest
09/25-27/14 MO, St. Louis Love Life 2014 Women’s Conference
09/27/2014 VA, Roanoke Jeremy Camp
09/27/2014 IN, Indianapolis Matthew West
09/27-28/14 OR, Portland Portland VegFest
10/05/2014 TX, Dallas Mercy Me
10/11-12/14 CA, San Francisco World Veg Festival
10/18/2014 MN, Saint Paul Matthew West
10/25/2014 CO, Denver Matthew West
10/25/2014 OH, Lima Newboys
10-25-26/14 MA, Boston Vegetarian Food Festival
10/19/2014 TX, Dallas Texas Veggie Far
11/01-02/14 AZ, Tucson VegFest Tucson
11/08/2014 WA, Seattle David Crowder

2. Essay: Peacemaking - Part 1: The Need for Peacemakers

I’ve heard it said, “The only thing you learn from history is that people don’t learn from history.” Much to humanity’s grief, people seem unable to avoid violence within families, within communities, and between communities. I think this is in large part because we often find that our desires conflict with those of others, and frequently violence seems the best or only way to resolve these conflicts.

Violence has several unfortunate consequences. First, of course, it results in harm to individuals. If we believe that God cares about God’s Creation, then this harm also has a spiritual dimension. Second, violence damages communities, and humans need communities for practical and psychological reasons. Communities have helped humans survive and have provided the company that humans, as social beings, crave. Third, violence is often associated with injustice. Christianity offers an eschatological (end of times) vision of peace and justice to which we should strive and which is undermined by violence. Finally, human ingenuity has permitted the development of powerful technologies that, when used violently, threaten human civilization. [Swords have proven just as effective as atomic bombs as tools of genocide, but atomic bombs threaten to destroy the remarkable physical, social, and intellectual infrastructure that humanity has built over the last centuries.]

In addressing our call to be peacemakers and to participate in the reconciliation of all Creation (Isaiah 11:6-9), should we be pacifists? I will consider this question next week.

3. Commentary on an Excellent Essay

I strongly recommend “Knowing the Standard American Diet by Its Fruits: Is Unrestrained Omnivorism Spiritually Beneficial?”by Matthew C. Halteman.

The author makes clear that he is not arguing that diet determines salvation or “justification,” but rather whether it can sanctify our life and our faith. Are we good stewards of God’s creation if we eat foods that involve cruelty to animals, degrade the environment, and harm our health? Halteman’s careful, thoughtful, clear writing makes it hard for skeptics to disagree with his analysis.

Many writings opposing modern animal agribusiness come across as angry and polemical, which is understandable in light of the gross injustices perpetrated against nonhumans. Whatever the sentiments of the writers might be, such articles can be received as self-righteous or condescending. Indeed, those who defend eating animal products often try to reject the message by criticizing the character or the motivations of the messenger. By acknowledging the limitations of his knowledge and righteousness, Halteman undermines this common ploy.

If Christendom were serious about serving God, this essay would get wide circulation, particularly among pastors and other religious leaders.

4. This Week’s Sermon by Rev. Frank and Mary Hoffman

God Searches Us and Knows Us

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