Weekly Newsletter - September 3, 2014
From Christian Vegetarian Association (CVA)

  1. Activist Feedback
  2. Essay: Respectful Communication, continued: Political Correctness
  3. This Week’s Sermon from Rev. Frank and Mary Hoffman
  4. The September Peaceable Table Is Now Online

1. Activist Feedback

Sandra, who leafleted at 3 Rivers of Hope in Pittsburgh, PA last month, writes:

It was great. I don't want to sound like bragging, but I have been leafleting for ages and ages. I know for sure nobody will ever resist to a big, big smile, and luckily this time was almost no different. Everybody received it happily, except for one person who rejected it, and another who brought it back to me saying, "Here, take it back I love my meat."

I also engaged in a conversation with one guy, and he ended up pretty convinced of my arguments, and said he will definitely reconsider his food choices.

There were absolutely no pamphlets left on the ground or on the floor, and I didn't even see any in the trash cans around.

My tactic was to give the pamphlet mostly to women, because they are the ones who make the food choices in the house; and to children and teens, because they are usually more sensitive to animals and eager to adopt lifestyle changes.

At the same time I was there, there was a group of girls form an Anabaptist church. They were giving out a free book about how to raise children in a Godly manner, but were having a hard time getting people to accept their book. They approached me and askedhow I got people to take my pamphlets. So I stopped for a few minutes and showed them. After I stopped, they decided to put one of my pamphlets inside each book, and give it out that way. It worked perfect!

Thanks again for the opportunity, and let me know if I can be of more help.

Upcoming Activist Opportunities

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 MercyMe
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: Respectful Communication (continued: Political Correctness

In my last essay, I discussed how presuming other people’s motivations was prone to error and is almost always received as disrespectful. Today I will consider the tensions related to political correctness and what this means for building peaceful communities.

There are some who insist on people using language that does not carry overtones of past or present injustices. They argue that words shape how we think and act, and therefore we should be careful about the words we use. Others counter that intent is what counts; if someone uses words or phrases that were once offensive but no offense is now intended, then no offense should be taken. The first (words matter) group often regards the second as having subtle or overt objectionable views, and the second (intent matters) group often regards the first as elitist and condescending.

Currently in the United States, such sentiments breed resentments but we rarely see open hostility. People from different camps tend to avoid socializing with each other, but there is little fighting. Throughout the world, we have seen simmering resentments flare up into violence when there is political or economic instability, or when resentments become so strong that anger simply breaks through the normal barriers to violence. Perhaps an example of the last is what we recently saw in Ferguson, Missouri.

If we want peace in our communities, we need a sense of shared values, because those with shared values have similar ultimate goals. Otherwise, those with greater power will determine which values determine policy, and those with less power will be resentful and be seeking not only opportunities to seize power but also to exact revenge. What value or values can form a foundation for peace in our communities? How do these values relate to animal issues? I’ll explore these questions next week.

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

Ministry Calling from God for All of Us

4. The September Peaceable Table is now online

Contents include:

A Glimpse of the Peaceable Kingdom showing a dog, a young fox, and two cats sleeping all snuggled together.

"Bridge Builders" is the Editor's Corner essay by Robert Ellwood. The meaning of the name "pontifex," the high priest of ancient Rome, is "bridge builder." Priests are traditionally thought to connect the human and the divine over a seemingly vast gap. But we are all called, not only to transmit divine blessings to other humans and our animal cousins, but to cooperate in building bridges that will make it possible for humans and animals to cross over to one another.

In our Recipe section, a simple recipe for pancakes and a more complex one for Ginger Pear Crisp. Enjoy!

The September NewsNote telling of the rescue of an orphaned baby elephant.

To read this issue, see http://www.vegetarianfriends.net/issue106.html.

Gracia Fay Ellwood, Editor

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