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Favorite Quotes Update

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I hope you have taken the opportunity to check out my Favorite Quotes page, which collects quotes from a variety of people ranging from St. Francis of Assisi, to Albert Schweitzer, to Desmond Tutu, to Immanuel Kant and many more on the issue of Christianity or ethics and our treatment of animals.  I have just updated the page with some quotes from the former Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams.  The quotes are from the Operation Noah Annual Lecture in 2009 regarding climate change.  The full text of his remarks, which are well worth reading, is here .  My hope with the Favorite Quotes page is not only to provide inspiration, but to illustrate that this connection between faith and care for the animals is one that has been shared by a wide range of writers, theologians, and clergy.  In raising these issues, we stand in august company.  In the meantime, here are quotes I have added to my page: The creation stories of Genesis 1 and 2 see the creation of ...
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Admin Note

It was brought to my attention that my comment function was not working.  I believe I have fixed the issue.  If you tried to comment earlier and were not able to, or thought you commented and did not receive a reply (because I didn't see your comment), my apologies.  I am always eager to hear readers' thoughts. 
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Praying For Pets - Part Two

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       My cat is dying.   Puck is 17 years old.   We brought him home when he was 8.   I adopted him from a friend who simply didn’t want him anymore and I was afraid of what might have happened to him if I didn’t take him.   I didn’t want to him be left in a shelter.   It was, sadly, the end of the friendship because I couldn’t understand how anyone could be so genuinely happy to “get rid of him,” like a broken old bookcase that cluttered the basement.   No harsh words were spoken; there was no “break,” I just found myself less interested in spending time with her. Puck when we first brought him home       Puck is a great cat.   He is cuddly and affectionate and purrs a lot.   I like to think that he is as happy that he came to live with us as we are to have him.   He knows how to stand his ground, though. When we brought home our 50-pound dog (also 8 at the time we brought him home)...
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David Clough North American Speaking Tour - A Must Attend!

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If you have followed this blog at all, you know that David Clough is one of my heroes.  His On Animals, Vol. I: Systematic Theology formed the basis of several posts on this blog.  Now he is on tour to discuss On Animals Vol II: Christian Ethics.  I am so exited that I’m going to hear him twice! At Christ Church Rockville, MD on Sunday, Feb 3, at the adult forum and at the Dean’s forum at my alma mater, Wesley Theological Seminary in DC on Tuesday, Feb 5 at noon. Both events are free and open to the public.  If you are not in DC, his North American tour schedule can be found at www.becreaturekind.org/on-animals-north-america-speaking-tour. If you have any interest in what Christian ethics have to say about our relationships with animals, please find a speaking engagement near you to attend! You will be leave enlightened, informed, and perhaps even inspired. David Clough
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Animals, Advent, and the O Antiphons

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There are at least two things I love to do in Advent.  One is to pray the O Antiphons, and the other is to visit at least one of venues near me that has an international nativity display.  The O Antiphons always help to ground me through the close of Advent.  They keep me focused on the true meaning of Christmas - the coming of Christ - through the hubbub of preparations and celebrations that, while wonderful and rewarding in their own ways, are nevertheless a distraction from the hope of the season. The international nativity displays always fascinate me.  I love to see how different cultures around the world have interpreted the nativity story.  I especially love the ones that are set, not in the ancient middle east, but in the culture that created the nativity.  It reminds us, I think, that Christ came not just once, long ago, but comes to each of us every day, right where and as we are, if only we will let Him.  I love to see the different material...
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Why Caring About Animals Is Central To What It Means To Follow Christ

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Recently, I was invited to speak at the adult forum at Christ Episcopal Church in Rockville, MD.  I was, of course, delighted to accept.  I very much enjoyed the hour, and hope that the congregation did, as well.  I'm sharing below a copy of my remarks.   Christ Episcopal Church, Rockville, MD   Dominion In The Image Of God – Why Caring About Animals Is Central To What It Means To Follow Christ Remarks at Christ Episcopal Church, Rockville, MD September 30, 2018 Good morning.   Thank you for inviting me here to talk with you, and thank you for the work the St. Francis Flock is doing in raising the issue of animal welfare as a Christian concern, and thank you for your support of this important work, Rev. Simpson.   There is a lot that I could talk about today, but given our limited time, I thought I would try to lay out what I think are the foundational concepts for a theology of animal welfare, and then answer any questions the group may have.   ...
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