In January of this year, the Unitarian Universalists of the Chester River (UUCR) received approval from the Unitarian Universalist Association to host a chapter of the Unitarian Universalists Animal Ministry (UUAM) at their congregational home on Gateway Drive in Chestertown. A planning group of seven UUCR members, led by David Newell, began the application process back in October. The chapter will hold its first general meeting on Sunday, April 8th, at 11:30AM. Pet lovers and animal rights advocates of all ages and faith perspectives are invited and encouraged to attend.
The tentative name for the chapter is “Chesapeake Animal Welfare Society” (CAWS). Its mission is to explore the spiritual and religious dimensions of animal life and its aim is the promotion healthy, loving relationships between human and nonhuman animals. “We will do what we can to assist local organizations, such as the Kent County Humane Society and Really Great Cats, but our mission is broader than the needs of cats and dogs and our scope is greater than Kent County,” says Newell, who is Minister to UUCR. “Our focus includes an exploration of the religious and spiritual dimensions of animal life.”
Recent studies have shown that there are significant psychological, spiritual and physical health benefits for humans who have animals in their lives. According to Newell, CAWS will seek ways of exploring these benefits for every species of animal life. This will involve asking basic religious questions: What does it means to be human? Are humans significantly different from other species? How are animals viewed by the major religions of the world? And what does it mean to part of the interdependent web of existence?
Prior to the 11:30AM CAWS meeting on April 8th, the regular UUCR Sunday morning service at 10:00AM will feature a talk entitled “Reverence for Life” – followed by an open discussion. The talk will focus on the ethics of famed medical missionary Albert Schweitzer and the views of the patron saint of animals, St Francis of Assisi, with some implications for Easter Sunday and Buddhism. The 10:00AM service and the 11:30AM CAWS meeting are separated by an 11:00AM coffee hour. Both sessions are free and open to the public. For more information, please contact the UUCR church office at 410-778-3440.
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