Opportunities for UUs who love animals! - Archived
Dear friends in Unitarian Universalism,
We’re excited to share ways Unitarian Universalist Animal Ministry (UUAM) can support your congregation in living out our shared values of justice and care for all beings. For nearly 40 years, UUAM has been a home for animal-loving UUs, offering education, resources, and community that connect our faith to the interdependent web of life.
Exploring Article II Together
With the recent passage of Article II, which calls us to “protect Earth and all beings from exploitation,” UUAM’s mission has never felt more timely. We’ve created a new discussion guide, Embracing Interdependence, to help congregations and individuals reflect on what these commitments mean in practice.
UUAM Chapters
Our 46 congregational chapters each explore whichever aspects of animal issues that interest them. We offer monthly meetings for chapter leaders and aspiring chapter leaders, as well as resources and grants (a total of $1,500 available this year) to help chapters thrive. If you think your congregation might be interested in starting a chapter, you’ll find a sample newsletter blurb below.
Annual Sermon Contest
We are thrilled to announce the 2025–26 Albert Schweitzer Sermon Contest. A $1,000 prize will be awarded to the sermon that best explores UU values in relation to animals. Please share this opportunity with your ministers, worship committees, and guest speakers.
Pet Loss Support Group
For those mourning the loss of a beloved companion animal, we offer a free online Pet Loss Support Group led by our chaplain, Rev. Russell Elleven, DMin. The group meets on the first Wednesday of each month at 8:00 pm EST and provides a safe, compassionate space for healing. See the sample blurb below for sharing this resource with your community.
Celebration & Blessing of the Animals
Mark your calendars, and please share in your announcements! Our annual Celebration and Blessing of the Animals will take place online on Sunday, October 12. This joyful gathering features music, readings, and an inspiring speaker, honoring both the animals in our lives and in the wider world. You can share the opportunity with your community via the sample text below.
Programs & Events
Throughout the year, UUAM offers virtual programs on a wide range of topics—from interdependence topics and pollinator protection to animal advocacy workshops. Recordings of previous workshops are available on our website. Upcoming events include:
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“Embracing Interdependence” workshop
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Rev. Jennifer Channin on DefaultVeg food policies
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Author Gail Eisnitz on her factory farming investigative work
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Beth Joy Borris and other chefs’ plant-based cooking classes
Stay Connected & Support UUAM
You can keep up with UUAM through our monthly newsletter, social media, and at UUAM.org. Please share our resources with your congregation through newsletters, worship services, or bulletin boards (see sample text below).
We also invite your congregation to support our work through your “Share the Plate” offerings or other charitable initiatives. As a 501(c)(3), we are deeply grateful for and dependent upon the generosity of UUs who help sustain this ministry.
We look forward to being a resource for your congregation and walking this path with you. If you have any questions, please reach out—we’d love to connect!
With gratitude,
Theresa Zingery, President
Unitarian Universalist Animal Ministry
Rev. John Millspaugh, Executive Director
Unitarian Universalist Animal Ministry
Attachment: Sample Text for Informing Your Congregation of UUAM Resources
Sample text for use in your newsletter, weekly bulletin or bulletin board. You may consider putting them in/up one at a time, once a month or more often.
General UUAM Information
Love animals? Did you know there’s a UU organization dedicated to honoring and protecting them?
The UU Animal Ministry (UUAM) helps UUs live our values of compassion, justice, and respect for all beings. Stay connected through our newsletter, social media, or at UUAM.org to learn about events, programs, and advocacy. From our annual Celebration & Blessing of the Animals to forming local chapters, you’ll find inspiring ways to act with love for animals. Join us in building a more compassionate world!
Start a UUAM Chapter
Want to bring more awareness of animal issues into our congregation?
Starting a UU Animal Ministry (UUAM) chapter is a great way to do it. Each local chapter chooses the topics that matter most to them, from food justice to spiritual connection. UUAM provides resources, monthly leader gatherings, and even grant opportunities to help chapters grow. Interested in starting one here? Email info@uuam.org to learn more.
Annual Celebration & Blessing of the Animals
Celebrate the animals who share our lives and the wider world!
Join UU Animal Ministry on Sunday, October 12 at 4 PM EDT for our Annual Celebration & Blessing of the Animals. Our featured speaker this year is Rev. Gary Kowalski, who has authored several books about spirituality and animals that have been translated into a number of languages and sold worldwide. This joyful online gathering includes music, readings, poetry, and words both modern and from our ancestors in faith. Bring your love for animals and connect with others in a spirit of reverence and joy. All are welcome! Visit UUAM.org for details.
Pet Loss Support Group
Losing a beloved animal companion is never easy. You don’t have to grieve alone.
The UU Animal Ministry Pet Loss Support Group, led by our Chaplain Rev. Russell Elleven, DMin, offers a compassionate space to share and heal. This online group meets the first Wednesday of each month at 8 PM EST. Whether you are facing the loss of a pet now or mourning one who has passed, you’ll find comfort and connection here. For Zoom details, contact Rev. Elleven at relleven@gmail.com.
