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