Compassionate Conversations™: What’s on Your Plate This Lent? - Faith, Fasting, and Compassion

Conversation: What’s on Your Plate This Lent? - Faith, Fasting, and Compassion Speaker: Rev. Adam Bowling, Pastor of First United Presbyterian Church of Dale City • In-Person Location: First United Presbyterian Church of Dale City • Address: 14391 Minnieville Rd, Woodbridge, VA 22193 • Virtual Option: Microsoft Teams Link (join via browser, no account needed) • Cost/Food: FREE buffet lunch will be provided (registration required for an accurate count) 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. The Ark of Compassion (AOC) and Veg Society of DC (VSDC) 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. 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.