Lee’s Summit, MO (February 6) – In Defense of Animals and The Spiritual Forum proudly announce “2020 Vision: A World that Works for All,” a Vegan Spirituality Forum and Retreat for the spiritual journeyer who seeks to awaken consciousness in the heart of our nation and create a peaceful world that is free of exploitation.

“We’re thrilled to present this faith-based vegan advocacy immersion,” says Lisa Levinson of In Defense of Animals, who co-founded the Interfaith Vegan Coalition. “Participants will be on the forefront of paving new pathways within religious communities to include our animal brothers and sisters in our circle of compassion, rather than on our dinner plates.”

Spiritually-minded vegans, vegetarians, and veg-curious omnivores will enjoy three days of inspiration, learning, renewal, and collaboration to co-create a world that works for all beings. Retreat-goers will sense the sacredness of the Unity Village grounds, home of the Unity movement where co-founders Charles and Myrtle Fillmore pioneered and advocated for positive, practical Christianity including ethical vegetarianism in the early 1900s. 

The Vegan Spirituality Forum and Retreat features spiritually-centered vegan speakers including Dr. Will Tuttle, Victoria Moran, Dr. Milton Mills, and Dr. Lisa Kemmerer. Attendees will be inspired by talks on the connections between our relationship with animals and spiritual living, human social justice issues, world peace, sustainability, and feminism. Workshops and dialogue will bring the message of universal love and kindness to faith communities to support animal advocacy and ministry work. Built into the program are opportunities to connect and collaborate with others who believe that Unity includes everyone, not just our own species. “Animals and World Religions,” a traveling museum exhibit curated by Dr. Lisa Kemmerer, will also be on display.

Attendees of the Vegan Spirituality Forum and Retreat can also enjoy the deeply meaningful and inspirational film, “A Prayer for Compassion,” yoga and meditation sessions, labyrinth walks, nature trails for renewal, delicious plant-based meals by vegan chef Sandra Sellani, and a Sunday service to heal planetary consciousness, awaken humanity and honor our animal brothers and sisters.

What: 2020 Vision: A World that Works for All, a Vegan Spirituality Forum and Retreat

When: September 10-13, 2020; or come a day early to join in Unity’s annual World Day of Peace, a moving 24 hour prayer vigil

Where: Unity Village Retreat and Conference Center, Lee’s Summit, MO

Register: www.idausa.org/spiritualforum

Early bird registration is $299 before March 1, $335 from March 1 through June 1, and $375 after June 1.

The retreat fee includes a meal plan with two specially prepared vegan dinners and three lunches at the Unity Inn. Breakfast is included at the Unity Village Hotel and most area hotels. Lodging must be booked separately. A full refund is available before June 1, 2020; 50% refund thereafter.

Sponsors: The Spiritual Forum, In Defense of Animals, Circle of Compassion, Interfaith Vegan Coalition, Main Street Vegan, Jewish Veg, and Compassionate Living

Contact: Lisa Levinson, Sustainable Activism Campaign Director, interfaith@idausa.org, 215-620-2130

Images (free for use with credit per filename): http://bit.ly/UnityRetreatPics 

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In Defense of Animals' Interfaith Vegan Coalition helps activists and spiritual leaders bring vegan values to spiritual, ethical, and religious communities. The Coalition provides religion-specific advocacy kits for faiths and secular wisdom traditions to practice nonviolence, loving-kindness, and harmlessness toward all animals. www.interfaithvegancoalition.org

In Defense of Animals is an international animal protection organization with over 250,000 supporters and a 37-year history of protecting animals’ rights, welfare and habitats through education, campaigns and hands-on rescue facilities in India, South Korea, and rural Mississippi. www.idausa.org