Just wanted to do an interest survey.


Would you support the formation of an animal and people sanctuary?

What are your thoughts on a place that would offer church services, a flower/meditation garden, a restaurant, free counseling, a dormitory/vegan soup kitchen for the homeless, and an animal sanctuary/rescue center?

Any ideas or advice in regards to a concept such as this?

Would you be interested and/or willing to offer financial support of any amount to something such as this?

Would you be interested and/or willing to work/volunteer at a place such as this?

What advice would you have for someone wanting to do something such as this? Any degree major advice? "Next steps" advice? Contact information on moving forward with this?




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Perhaps soon there will be a website that will hold the full concept and current stages of planning with links for contact/donation. Concept is fully in God's hands. Stay tuned! and all glory be to God.

Thanks for any advice given. :)

Would you support the formation of an animal and people sanctuary? Yes, sounds like a great idea. Many people like sharing their lives with animals, and vice versa.

What are your thoughts on a place that would offer church services, a flower/meditation garden, a restaurant, free counseling, a dormitory/vegan soup kitchen for the homeless, and an animal sanctuary/rescue center?
Sounds good. I'd prefer no Church services because I don't think that charity should always be tied to religion. It kind of forces the poor to pretend to like a particular religion just to get fed. Charity should come from the heart, and not in an effort to convert people. Now I know not all religious charities are like that, but some are, and it would just be my preference to see this as either secular or at the very least totally non-denominational.

Any ideas or advice in regards to a concept such as this? Not at the moment, I'd have to put more thought into it.

Would you be interested and/or willing to offer financial support of any amount to something such as this? No, my charity dollars are earmarked for local projects. Unless this would be set up in my local community, then the answer would be yes to financial contributions.

Would you be interested and/or willing to work/volunteer at a place such as this?
I would definitely volunteer somewhere like this. I believe we should all do charity/volunteer work as a matter of course.

I like the idea.
As far as supporting it, I would donate to it but I don't think it would be enough to help sustain it.
I would volunteer.

I agree 100% with what Kiz said about the religion and charity thing.

I like the idea very much. I would support and volunteer as well.

Concept is great. Personally I would not support something that has church services, as this would be too sectarian.

would certainly consider supporting through volunteering, endorsing, contributing. I take it profits from the restaurant would support the whole venture. It could be used for spiritual retreats, generating some funding, too. And the homeless would be volunteering, right?

It would be so awesome to have a place to show religious people how to deepen their faith through their diet & advocacy. I would be much less embittered about churches in general, then!! Sorry, but I just can't understand how any church can resist being vegan (grumble grumble grumble).

And volunteering for the animal sanctuary would itself be a huge form of therapy, so counseling would far more effective!

would certainly consider supporting through volunteering, endorsing, contributing. I take it profits from the restaurant would support the whole venture. It could be used for spiritual retreats, generating some funding, too. And the homeless would be volunteering, right?

Indeed. And since the restaurant will be an actual part of the whole place, we were thinking that it could get non-prof status as well.

And spiritual retreats are a great idea! Can imagine it now, teen and adult groups spending a weekend serving animals, learning about animal rights, and getting deeper spiritual lives in the process. awesomeawesome.


Sorry, but I just can't understand how any church can resist being vegan
hey me too :think:
this one will be, obviously. :)


And volunteering for the animal sanctuary would itself be a huge form of therapy, so counseling would far more effective!

:yes:
:up:


We're not going to be able to do this ourselves, and I'm not sure when exactly it could happen. But we have faith in God to lead the right people together and make it happen. Thank you all for your input - any further is appreciated.
If and when this starts to approach the vines of fruition we would love for you all to join us together under God for this venture of a true sanctuary for all.

I love the idea, but maybe you want to rethink the church part? There are many other religions and backrounds that would love your idea maybe if you kinda merged different cultures and religions somehow as well so you could also promote more peace in the world by ending discrimination and racism by letting those who take part in the sanctuary learn about all of them? I duno just a thought.
Good Luck though! it sounds like a GREAT idea!

Peace Abbey (http://www.peaceabbey.org/)?

Sounds like a great idea to me apart from the church services, again. Many of us are not Christian.

I'd love to work/volunteer at a place like that. I like helping people and animals.

I'm curious if it would/could be multi-faith or is it geared more toward Christians?

Troub, is this something you are actually considering doing? What state would this be in? Me and my husband will be moving. Where we have no idea, only God knows. :) I do feel led to help animals in some way though, especially now that my husband is no longer working and able to take over homeschooling the kids.

Troub, is this something you are actually considering doing? What state would this be in? Me and my husband will be moving. Where we have no idea, only God knows. :) I do feel led to help animals in some way though, especially now that my husband is no longer working and able to take over homeschooling the kids.

veggiejanie and I have been discussing it as a possibility to strive towards if things fall into place as such. It's all hypothetical as of right now, but it's a combination of our dreams, meshed together.

Not sure of the state, as it would be where God leads of course - perhaps the pacific northwest, where there is a larger percentage of vegetarians, and ocean, and mountains, and yeah :)

If the Lord wills it as such, it would be completely awesome if you could come help. It's probably not for quite a few years down the road though, but well, who knows what the Lords timing would be heh; although I have a feeling things and people are falling into place even now pointing towards this haven.

I'd love to work/volunteer at a place like that. I like helping people and animals.

I'm curious if it would/could be multi-faith or is it geared more toward Christians?
It would be great to have you visit :)

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I think there might be some misconceptions as to what I meant with "church services".
Imagine coming through the gates into a large meditative garden, with stone benches, flowers, fountains - a place for people to just be quiet and be restored and refreshed. The entire haven will be designed to express God's love. So there won't be a judgmental "convert or die" attitude. Come as you are - experience what you will.

In the center would be the chapel, but what I feel the "services" will be, won't be what first comes to mind when someone thinks of a church. There will be teaching lessons, and communion offered, at various times during the week/ or each day. But outside of those times - the area will be open for people to experience God interactively in their own ways. Candles, prayer stations, incense rooms, etc. There will be a caretaker available to offer prayer and healing, or listen. People may come during the teaching lessons, or can stay away if they wish - no one will be "forced" to listen to a sermon or anything. For those wanting to just meditate, they can come light a candle and experience God in a prayer station, or meditate and think and relax, or whatever - it's individually interactive. It's all about love, and sharing that love with others (animals and people!)
and if someone isn't interested in spirituality, they don't even have to go into the chapel.

On the other side would be a large pond, grazing areas, and barns for the animal rescues. Animal restoration, care, and a haven for those to bring rescues. People can go from the meditative gardens into and around the farm and learn/see the animals. People that come for the spiritual experience can experience what it means to be vegan and see up close the animals that so many kill to eat. There will be an information area, and vegan snacks. Ducks flying around the pond... birds in the trees... cows in the meadow... :D
Perhaps janie could describe more of what she hopes will happen in regards to the animal section, as it's her baby.


I'm hoping there will be counseling offered, and an area for the homeless to be fed as well, and so so so much more. As well as the restaurant and maybe a cool art gallery/tea house (which could be off campus - but still provide income)


It's a big dream. And seems overwhelming at times. But I have faith in God that it can be done.

I love it. And I love you two. If this is a few years down the line, I may have the ability to come visit and experience it myself. It sounds wonderful.
I hope you manage to follow this dream. Good luck!

It would be great to have you visit :)

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I think there might be some misconceptions as to what I meant with "church services".
Imagine coming through the gates into a large meditative garden, with stone benches, flowers, fountains - a place for people to just be quiet and be restored and refreshed. The entire haven will be designed to express God's love. So there won't be a judgmental "convert or die" attitude. Come as you are - experience what you will.

In the center would be the chapel, but what I feel the "services" will be, won't be what first comes to mind when someone thinks of a church. There will be teaching lessons, and communion offered, at various times during the week/ or each day. But outside of those times - the area will be open for people to experience God interactively in their own ways. Candles, prayer stations, incense rooms, etc. There will be a caretaker available to offer prayer and healing, or listen. People may come during the teaching lessons, or can stay away if they wish - no one will be "forced" to listen to a sermon or anything. For those wanting to just meditate, they can come light a candle and experience God in a prayer station, or meditate and think and relax, or whatever - it's individually interactive. It's all about love, and sharing that love with others (animals and people!)
and if someone isn't interested in spirituality, they don't even have to go into the chapel.

On the other side would be a large pond, grazing areas, and barns for the animal rescues. Animal restoration, care, and a haven for those to bring rescues. People can go from the meditative gardens into and around the farm and learn/see the animals. People that come for the spiritual experience can experience what it means to be vegan and see up close the animals that so many kill to eat. There will be an information area, and vegan snacks. Ducks flying around the pond... birds in the trees... cows in the meadow... :D
Perhaps janie could describe more of what she hopes will happen in regards to the animal section, as it's her baby.


I'm hoping there will be counseling offered, and an area for the homeless to be fed as well, and so so so much more. As well as the restaurant and maybe a cool art gallery/tea house (which could be off campus - but still provide income)


It's a big dream. And seems overwhelming at times. But I have faith in God that it can be done.

i think if you kept it more meditative and less geared towards the teachings of the christian god you could have a lot more support financially and it would be more inclusive.

anyhoo: http://www.lotus.org/ this is the All Faiths temple in Yogaville VA. they have silent meditation there three times a day... all faiths are welcome and there is no emphsis on one ofver the other.

in the bottom section there is a small museum, containing artifacts from different faiths including science. :)

there is also a school, yoga teachings, dorms for interns, a kitchen and organinc farm. http://www.yogaville.org/Yogaville/Yogaville.html

they bring a lot of revenue to the community and do counseling and lots of seva (service/charity)

so , with out the animal sanctuary, it's kinda like what you are thinking of.

have you come up with a formal business plan yet for financing?

I think including church services would be fine, since Troub seems to be intending to have them as something optional rather than complusory in order to get help. Plenty of Christian groups do this and help and support non-christians without pressuring them.

I think including church services would be fine, since Troub seems to be intending to have them as something optional rather than complusory in order to get help. Plenty of Christian groups do this and help and support non-christians without pressuring them.

I would think that this undertaking would be quite expensive, and grant money and donations are easier to get when there are no religous ties to the organization.

That's a good point, but if they think it's something they really want to do then it's worth a try.

oh, absolutely. i was thinking more about the practicality of financing that's all. :)

i guess it would be a non-profit org then? property is hella expensive, i'd start looking to find someone wiling to donate unused land rather then buying the property outright.

ETA: I'd love to see a formal business plan on this breaking down costs of building then maintaining such a place, how big it would be, etc, etc. since it's in a concept stage it's difficult for people to donate $$ without seeing what the money would potentially be used for.

I think it's a great idea, so please don't take any of my comments as anything but my general musings.

So far, some of the ideas for possible sources of income are the restaurant, career based income, and donations. I do have faith that God will provide ways for income, if this is His will - I watched my home church grow from an attendance of 20 to 700; from meeting in a banquet hall, to a school, to purchasing and renovating a building, all in only ~7 years, so I know it's possible for grand things to happen.

Unsure on how it will play out... it feels like walking on a dark path through the forest, but seeing a mountain in the distance - you know where you're going, but you're not sure of the paths that will take you there.

oh! i gathered from the mention of a website and a place to donate $ in your first post this was something that you were looking to plan out now.

regardless, if this if something you guys really want to pursue a formal business plan can get you a loan to get started at least, and grants as well. i have templates on how to write a business plan if you are interested.


well, the restaurant won't generate any income until it's built and paid off. :)

one of my uh... minor motives... for the church services, is that I want to expose Christians to veganism. Don't get me wrong, I would love to walk in and see a Buddhist and Christian talking about saving animals from pain and suffering - and hope I could see that one day.
Much of Christiandom seems to have lost the idea of being caretakers of the Earth, and it is one of my largest hopes to help in showing them what they are doing to the planet. To hold a "traditional" teaching service is an opening into that culture. But as I said before - the entire haven would be all inclusive on the basis of love.


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thanks to those above who have posted somewhat similar sanctuaries.

oh! i gathered from the mention of a website and a place to donate $ in your first post this was something that you were looking to plan out now.

regardless, if this if something you guys really want to pursue a formal business plan can get you a loan to get started at least, and grants as well. i have templates on how to write a business plan if you are interested.
)

That would be great! Really good idea.
You could send them to either, or both of us. Very cool - thank you!