Compassionate Conversations™: What’s on Your Plate This Lent?

Come join The Ark of Compassion (AOC) and Veg Society of DC (VSDC) for a Compassionate Conversation™ on Sunday, February 15th!

Event Description
For 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.

Join 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.”

Together, we’ll explore:

• The history of giving up meat during Lent in the Christian tradition
• Fasting as a spiritual practice that shapes the heart and the soul
• How compassion for animals, care for creation, and concern for neighbor align with Christian faith
• Why Lent can be a meaningful season to explore plant-based living

Lent 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.

You don’t need to be vegan, or even Christian, to attend.
Come curious. Come hungry. Come as you are.

Why This Compassionate Conversation™ Matters

• It invites reflection on how everyday choices connect to deeper values, including compassion, responsibility, and care for others.
• It creates a welcoming space for learning without pressure, allowing people to engage at their own pace.
• It brings people together across differences, fostering understanding through shared conversation and experience.

Who Should Attend

• Anyone who believes the world could use a little more compassion right now
• People who are open-minded, curious, and willing to grow, even if they’re still figuring things out
• Those who care about their health, their family’s future, and the well-being of the planet
• Individuals who love animals, value empathy, and feel unsettled by the status quo
• People exploring faith, re-examining their beliefs, returning to faith, or questioning it altogether
• Anyone who wants to live more honestly, thoughtfully, and aligned with their values
• Anyone who believes future generations deserve a kinder, more just world

In short: this space is for people who are willing to listen, reflect, and engage with compassion, starting with themselves.

About the Venue
This event will be held at First United Presbyterian Church of Dale City, an inclusive and globally minded congregation committed to compassion, justice, and ethical stewardship. As 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.

Questions? Contact: CompassionConvos@theaoc.org

The Ark of Compassion (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. It 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.

Its 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.

The Veg Society of the District of Columbia (VSDC) is the nation’s oldest continuously operating 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization promoting an all-plant diet and vegan lifestyle through education, community-building, and social activities throughout the DC metro area.

VSDC believes in treating all people, animals, and the planet with respect and kindness. We are committed to creating a more compassionate and caring world.

We do this by creating a community of like-minded people who are on the path to an all-plant diet and vegan lifestyle. Whoever you are, and wherever you are on this path, we offer resources and fellowship to support you. We make your journey easier, more enjoyable and meaningful.