Lee’s Summit, Mo. (July 12, 2021) – In Defense of Animals and The Spiritual Forum proudly announce “2021 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 experience 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 Fillmores taught universal love and connected our ability to live ethically and peacefully to our relationship with animals,” says Unity minister and event co-organizer, Rev. Carol Saunders of The Spiritual Forum. “It is exciting to bring this energy back to Unity Village and bring new life to these teachings.”

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 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, and a Sunday service to heal planetary consciousness, awaken humanity, and honor our animal brothers and sisters.

What: 2021 Vision: A World that Works for All, a Vegan Spirituality Forum and Retreat

When: October 1-3

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

Register: https://thespiritualforum.org/vegan-retreat

Registration fee is $349 and includes all programming and 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. Refunds are available prior to July 30.

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

Contacts:

In Defense of Animals, Interfaith Vegan Coalition co-founder, Lisa Levinson, lisa@idausa.org, 215-620-2130
The Spiritual Forum, Reverend Carol Saunders, revcarolsaunders@gmail.com, 847-337-3866
Interfaith Vegan Coalition co-founder, Judy Carman, judycarman@ymail.com,
785-760-2446  

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

In Defense of Animals is an international animal protection organization with over 250,000 supporters and a 38-year history of fighting for animals, people, and the environment through education and campaigns, as well as hands-on rescue facilities in India, South Korea, and rural Mississippi. www.idausa.org/retreats

The Interfaith Vegan Coalition (IVC) helps animal activists and spiritual leaders bring vegan values to spiritual, ethical, and religious communities. The IVC provides tools to help all faith and secular wisdom traditions practice the ideals of nonviolence, lovingkindness, and harmlessness toward all animals. www.interfaithvegancoalition.org

The Spiritual Forum is a non-profit organization, affiliated with Unity Worldwide Ministries, that offers The Spiritual Forum Podcast for spiritual deepening, awakening and personal accountability. www.thespirtualforum.org

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