Sponsored by the Animal Interfaith Alliance (AIA), World Congress of Faiths (WCF) and Quaker Concern for Animals (QCA) and held at Golders Green Unitarians, this year’s service was led by Rev. Feargus O’Connor, MA, Chair of AIA and Secretary WCF.
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Guest speakers were Rev. Prof. Martin Henig of AIA & ASWA, and Barbara Gardner of AIA.
Candles were lit for all the world’s animals and readings were given from representatives from of the world’s great religions.
Rev. Prof. Martin Henig gave the keynote address, Divine Music: The Mystery of Creation, in which he spoke of our relationship with all living beings and of the divine music of pure spirit which plays on and through every living creature. He spoke of Ahimsa and the wisdom of adopting a life of love and empathy towards all creatures regardless of which spiritual tradition we are from. When honouring our concerns for our planet and environment we must also pay attention and include our treatment of farm animals locked in industrial systems, which sadly has nothing to do with joy.
Barbara Gardner spoke about the setting up of AIA, which now has 15 member organisations in agreement and working together. She spoke of applying the golden rule to all sentient beings and treating all sentient beings as we would like to be treated ourselves.
photo (Jake with Feargus O’Connor) and text by Judith Wilkings (QCA & AIA)