Interfaith Vegan Coalition's Sermon/Spiritual Presentation Contest Winning Sermons
Our Interfaith Vegan Coalition bestows its first-ever Sermon/Spiritual Presentation Award on the topic of compassion for all animals. People are searching for answers to the dire challenges faced by humans, other animals, and the Earth. Spiritual leaders around the world are being called to assist in the greatest spiritual transformation of humanity ever witnessed. The Interfaith Vegan Coalition joyfully honors faith and lay spiritual leaders who shared their life affirming voices in our Sermon Contest.
Dr. Will Tuttle won the award in the Vegan category — how your faith supports or encourages a vegan lifestyle. Timothy J. Verret won the award in the Compassion for All Animals category — how your faith embraces compassion for all beings. Winner Timothy J. Verret passed away and received the award posthumously.
Please watch and share their full presentations below to spread the vegan message of compassion for all animals.
Dr. Will Tuttle is author of the international best-seller, The World Peace Diet, published in 17 languages. A recipient of the Courage of Conscience Award and the Empty Cages Prize, he is also the author of several other books on spirituality, intuition, and social justice, as well as the creator of online wellness and advocacy programs. A vegan since 1980 and former Zen monk, he is featured in a number of documentary films. The co-founder of the Worldwide Prayer Circle for Animals, he is a frequent radio, television, and online presenter. With his spouse Madeleine, a Swiss visionary artist, he has delivered thousands of lectures in all 50 states and in 50 countries.
Timothy J. Verret appeared in numerous stage productions as an actor and was nominated for a Falstaff Shakespeare Award for Best Supporting Male for his role as Iago in Othello. He wrote plays, poetry, and sonnets. His published works included, The Denial Family, Ingenting, Spiritual Sonnets, and a children’s audio book entitled, Clarabelle Comes Clean. Timothy was a Christian, an animal welfare advocate, and believed that his purpose was to use his many creative talents to glorify His Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Religious, spiritual, and lay contestants delivered their presentations live and/or online before a religious, spiritual, or community group between June 30, 2021 to December 31, 2022. Seasoned leaders and new voices from diverse backgrounds and wisdom traditions were encouraged to apply. Winners in the vegan and compassion for all animals categories received an award and a cash prize of $500.
The Interfaith Vegan Coalition thanks our allies at the Unitarian Universalist Animal Ministry (UUAM) for funding one of the prizes. Our contest was modeled directly after the longstanding annual UUAM sermon contest with assistance from coalition member Shamayim: Jewish Animal Advocacy and was sponsored by Interfaith Vegan Coalition, Unitarian Universalist Animal Ministries (UUAM), and Jewish Veg.