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SUMMARY:VSDC @Compassionate Conversations™: What’s on Your Plate This Lent?
DESCRIPTION:[Veg Society of DC](https://vsdc.org/) (VSDC) is pleased to join with [The Ark of Compassion ](https://theaoc.org/)(AOC) to co-host a Compassionate Conversation™ on Sunday\, Feb. 15 at [First United Presbyterian Church of Dale City](https://fupcdc.org/) \n**Talk Title: What’s on Your Plate This Lent? – Faith\, Fasting\, and Compassion**\n**Speaker: Rev. Adam Bowling\, Pastor of First United Presbyterian Church of Dale City** \n• In-Person Location: [First United Presbyterian Church of Dale City](https://fupcdc.org/)\n• Address: 14391 Minnieville Rd\, Woodbridge\, VA 22193\n• Virtual Option: Microsoft Teams Link (join via browser\, no account needed)\n• Date and Time: Sunday\, February 15th\, 11:30–1:00 PM (Speaker begins at 11:45pm)\n• Cost/Food: **FREE** buffet lunch will be provided **([registration required](https://givebutter.com/compconvos-02-15-26) for an accurate count)** \n**Event Description**\nFor centuries\, Christians have practiced fasting during Lent\, often by giving up meat\, not as a diet\, but as a spiritual discipline rooted in prayer\, simplicity\, and compassion. \nJoin The Ark of Compassion for a thoughtful and accessible Compassionate Conservation™ led by Rev. Adam C. Bowling\, pastor of First United Presbyterian Church of Dale City and a *“struggling\, sometimes vegan.”* \nTogether\, we’ll explore: \n* The history of giving up meat during Lent in the Christian tradition\n* Fasting as a spiritual practice that shapes the heart and the soul\n* How compassion for animals\, care for creation\, and concern for neighbor align with Christian faith\n* Why Lent can be a meaningful season to explore plant-based living \nLent begins Wednesday\, February 18\, 2026\, and participants will be gently invited\, not pressured\, to consider giving up meat for the 40 days of Lent as a grace-filled spiritual practice rooted in intention\, not perfection. \nYou don’t need to be vegan\, or even Christian\, to attend.\nCome curious. Come hungry. Come as you are. \n**Why This Compassionate Conversation™ Matters** \n* It invites reflection on how everyday choices connect to deeper values\, including compassion\, responsibility\, and care for others.\n* It creates a welcoming space for learning without pressure\, allowing people to engage at their own pace.\n* It brings people together across differences\, fostering understanding through shared conversation and experience. \n**Who Should Attend** \n* Anyone who believes the world could use a little more compassion right now\n* People who are open-minded\, curious\, and willing to grow\, even if they’re still figuring things out\n* Those who care about their health\, their family’s future\, and the well-being of the planet\n* Individuals who love animals\, value empathy\, and feel unsettled by the status quo\n* People exploring faith\, re-examining their beliefs\, returning to faith\, or questioning it altogether\n* Anyone who wants to live more honestly\, thoughtfully\, and aligned with their values\n* Anyone who believes future generations deserve a kinder\, more just world \nIn short: this space is for people who are willing to listen\, reflect\, and engage with compassion\, starting with themselves. \n**About the Venue**\nThis event will be held at [First United Presbyterian Church of Dale City](https://fupcdc.org/)\, an inclusive and globally minded congregation committed to compassion\, justice\, and ethical stewardship. \nAs a More Light Presbyterian Church\, FUPCDC affirms LGBTQIA+ people as full participants in the life and leadership of the church and offers programming that supports care for animals\, creation\, and the wider community. \nQuestions? Contact info@theaoc.org \n**Update Your RSVP**\nOut of respect for others interested in attending this limited-space event\, please update your RSVP promptly as your schedule changes. \n**[The Ark of Compassion](https://theaoc.org/)** (AOC) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting animal welfare through education\, outreach\, and partnerships that inspire beneficial change for all life. Founded on the belief that compassion should extend to every living being\, The Ark of Compassion bridges faith-based and secular communities to explore how our choices\, traditions\, and systems impact animals\, people\, and the planet. \nIt creates inclusive spaces for conversation and action\, helping launch events and ideas that bring people together. By turning meaningful moments into sustainable movements\, AOC amplifies compassion into lasting change. \nIts mission is inspired by faith\, shaped by empathy and reason\, and powered by a vision of a future in which animals\, people\, and the planet flourish together. \n**VSDC: More Than A Meetup**\nWe are delighted to have you as part of The Veg Society of DC Vegan Meetup group\, and we look forward to seeing you at our events. Did you know that [VSDC](https://vsdc.org/%20) is a nonprofit organization with membership benefits? \nWith VSDC membership\, you will save money at area restaurants and businesses\, attend VSDC member-only events\, and\, most importantly\, support us as a clear and consistent voice for improving the lives of all beings through community building and education centered on the benefits of a vegan diet and lifestyle. \nThe membership fee is minimal\, but the impact is significant! [Join today](https://vsdc.org/membership/)! \n**Ways to Stay In Touch with Us**\nThank you for being part of our Meetup presence and bringing like-minded people together. We invite you to: \n* Become a [VSDC member](https://vsdc.org/membership/) to save money at area restaurants and support us in being a clear and consistent voice for improving the lives of all beings through community building and education centered on the benefits of a vegan diet and lifestyle.\n* Sign up for our[ monthly e-newsletter](https://vsdc.org/about/newsletter/) to hear more about our activities.\n* Follow us on [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/vegsocietydc/) or [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/vegsocietydc/) to engage with us. \n**Interested in Volunteering with VSDC?**\nVSDC offers many events each month\, thanks to the dedication of our event planning team. Would you consider volunteering? To learn more and get started\, [please visit our website](https://vsdc.org/volunteer/). \n**Only Vegan Food\, Please**\nWhile VSDC welcomes people wherever they are on the path to an all-plant\, vegan diet and lifestyle\, it is our policy that only vegan food be served and consumed at our events. If you would like to [explore a vegan diet or get support in making lifestyle changes\, consider these resources](https://vsdc.org/exploringvegan/). \n**Liability Waiver and Code of Conduct**\nWhen you sign up to attend\, you automatically acknowledge [VSDC’s Liability Waiver](https://vsdc.org/activity-waiver/) and commit to follow the code of conduct found at [Policies – VSDC – Veg Society of DC](https://vsdc.org/policies/). \n**VSDC. Creating communities. For your health\, the animals\, and the planet.**
URL:https://vsdc.org/event/vsdc-compassionate-conversations-whats-on-your-plate-this-lent/
LOCATION:First United Presbyterian Church of Dale City\, 14391 Minnieville Rd\, Woodbridge\, VA\, 22193\, United States
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