The Unitarian Universalist Animal Ministry (UUAM) empowers individuals, chapters, and congregations to build justice and compassion for animals.
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UU St. Pete Animal Ministry became an official chapter of UUAM in March 2024. Our mission is to promote justice and compassion for all animals including companion animals, wildlife, farm animals, and human animals as we care for each other and the earth. We envision a world where all beings can flourish with dignity, love, and compassion.
Update Starting February 2026: Meetings are moving to the Third Sunday of Each Month at 12pm
Meeting Agenda for January 4, 2026
(contact us if you would like to attend via Zoom and a link will be provided)
Sign up for the Animal Ministry Team: https://forms.gle/vHmQCEnta9B7FBG58
UU St. Pete Animal Ministry is inspired by the Unitarian Universalist Value of
UU St. Pete Animal Ministry is inspired by the Unitarian Universalist Value of
Interdependence
We honor the interdependent web of all existence. With reverence for the great web of life and with humility, we acknowledge our place in it.
We covenant to protect Earth and all beings from exploitation. We will create and nurture sustainable relationships of care and respect, mutuality and justice. We will work to repair harm and damaged relationships.
UU St. Pete Animal Friends
UU St. Pete Animal Friends
These are some of the animals that have made a difference in the lives of UU St. Pete members and friends. We honor each individual for their unique personality as well as their love and companionship.
contact us at animal.ministry@uustpete.org if you would like your animal friend added
UUA Statement of Conscience on Ethical Eating
UUA Statement of Conscience on Ethical Eating
This statement was adopted by the 2011 UUA General Assembly after a four-year study and action process.
"Aware of our interdependence, we acknowledge that eating ethically requires us to be mindful of the miracle of life we share with all beings. With gratitude for the food we have received, we strive to choose foods that minimize harm and are protective of the environment, consumers, farmers, and all those involved in food production and distribution."
"We advocate for the benefit of animals, plants, food workers, the environment, and humanity."
ethical eating.pdfActions For Animals
Actions For Animals
Join UU St. Pete Animal Ministry in protecting Florida's Black Bears
Speak Out Against the Florida Bear Hunt
Despite overwhelming public opposition and a lack of scientific justification, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) approved a yearly bear killing season in Florida.
This hunt will allow cruel methods such as baiting, hounding, and archery. The FWC removed check stations and are instead relying on the honor system with hunters reporting online within 24 hours. This could have devastating consequences for Florida's black bears.
UU St. Pete Animal Ministry continues to oppose this unneccesary and cruel hunt. We are watching the current lawsuit filed by Bear Warriors United, and will continue to contact the Governor and FWC urging them to protect Florida's beloved black bears.
Actions You Can Take
Actions You Can Take
Sign the petition in opposition of a Florida black bear hunt. The FWC's proposal to reinstate the hunt "lacks scientific merit, disregards overwhelming public opposition, and threatens the stability of Florida’s black bear population."
Submit your opposition comments – Email BearComments@MyFWC.com and let them know you strongly oppose the bear hunt. Or Click Here to contact all of the FWC Commissioners. All emails will become part of the public record, so please ensure your message is respectful.
You may simply state: I OPPOSE ANY FUTURE FLORIDA BEAR HUNTS. Alternatively, you can provide a detailed message expressing your concerns.
Suggested Email Subject Line
I OPPOSE BEAR HUNTING IN FLORIDA
Contact the FWC Commissioners directly (emails formatted for easy copy & paste are below). Copy and paste the email addresses below into the BCC section of your email.
Rodney.Barreto@myfwc.com, Steven.Hudson@myfwc.com, Preston.Farrior@myfwc.com, Sonya.Rood@myfwc.com, Albert.Maury@myfwc.com, Gary.Nicklaus@myfwc.com, Gary.Lester@myfwc.comCALL & EMAIL GOVERNOR DESANTIS AND TELL HIM TO STOP THE FLORIDA BLACK BEAR HUNT.
Phone: (850)-717-9337
Email: GovernorRon.Desantis@eog.myflorida.com
CALL THE FWC AND TELL THEM YOU OPPOSE THE FLORIDA BLACK BEAR HUNT:
Phone: (850) 488-4676.
Upcoming Events
Upcoming Events
Pet Loss Support Group
Pet Loss Support Group
DETAILS: The Pet Loss Support Group is held on a monthly basis, and new participants are always welcome. The meetings are held on the first Wednesday of each month at 8:00 pm (Eastern) and last for 1 hour.
Topics have included Stages of Grief, Grief Resources, Book Suggestions, Ritual and Mourning, and many others.
In order to gain access, email Rev. Elleven (relleven at gmail dot com) and he will send you the link and password. You can also find it on the UUAM Facebook page).
In the meantime, visit Rev. Russell’s Animal Chaplain page.
The Joy of Creating Together - A Plant-based Meal with Bethjoy Borris
The Joy of Creating Together - A Plant-based Meal with Bethjoy Borris
Sunday, January 18, 2026 4pm ET via Zoom
Bethjoy Borris is the founder of BeJoy in the Kitchen and the creator of Cooking in Zoomunity, where food becomes a catalyst for connection, nourishment, and joy. In this live, interactive class, Bethjoy will invite participants into a shared kitchen experience that nurtures both body and spirit..reminding us that good food, prepared together, can transform everyday life.
This Zoom gathering will include an optional cook-along for those who wish to prepare the featured recipe and enjoy it that day. An ingredient list will be shared in advance. Participants are also welcome to simply watch and indulge at another time.
All are welcome!
Register HERE for this free event!
Virtual Documentary Night: Sled Dogs
Virtual Documentary Night: Sled Dogs
Sunday January 25, 2026 7pm ET via Zoom
Join UUAM for a special virtual screening discussion of the documentary Sled Dogs. Attendees are invited to watch the film anytime in advance, on their own, online, for free, and then participate in a live conversation with the director on January 25th.
The documentary examines the commercial dog-sledding industry and explores the experience of the animals involved. After watching the film at your convenience, we’ll come together for a real-time discussion and Q&A with the filmmaker.
Registration is free but required. Once registered through Eventbrite, you’ll receive access details for the conversation with the director. Please remember your Eventbrite login and password, as you may need them to view the Zoom link on the day of the event.
Click here for more information about this event!
Register HERE on Eventbrite.
UUAM Presents Chocolate Bar Cooking Demo
UUAM Presents Chocolate Bar Cooking Demo
Sunday February 8, 2026 at 7pm via Zoom
Dive into a pre-Valentines Day chocolate treat experience with UUAM and Chef and Coach Tess Challis! Nothing says Valentines Day like chocolate candy. Learn to make this tasty delight yourself! Join us as Tess guides us through creating decadent Butterfinger-ish Chocolate Bars (Food Joy page 208) to make for a special someone – or maybe you enjoy cooking together!
In addition to publishing several cookbooks with diverse tastes that are fun and easy to follow, Tess provides programs and workshops to guide others to their best lives possible through her One Degree Business Coaching and One Degree Life Coaching. You can find more information at www.TessChallis.com.
Cost: No charge, but you must Register: https://us02web.zoom.us/.../register/P6bcGWGJQbudbhh110OyyQ
Past Events
Past Events
April 2024
April 2024
We discussed the American Birding Association’s Code of Ethics compared to Unitarian Universalist values, learned some fun facts about common local birds, and had a great time bird watching around Mirror Lake.
Collective Liberation as a Spiritual Practice
Collective Liberation as a Spiritual Practice
September 2024
September 2024
Sponsored by UU St. Pete Animal Ministry, Racial Justice Team, and Bodily Autonomy Team
We heard from Christopher "Soul" Eubanks – a public speaker, advocate for climate, for people, and for other animals – on the connection between all forms of oppression and the spiritual practice of liberation for all. We watched the speaker via a 20 minute video (from the 2023 UUAM Celebration of the Animals), followed by a discussion about collective liberation.
Stop the Bear Hunt!
Stop the Bear Hunt!
Education and Action Event August 2025
Education and Action Event August 2025
Florida Voices for Animals and the UU St. Pete Animal Ministry teamed up for an education and action event to Stop the Bear Hunt! We presented on why there is no scientific justification for bear hunting in Florida and how it could harm the bear population. We also collected signatures for postcards mailed to the FWC and discussed other actions people could take to help protect Florida's beloved black bears.
Postcards were created by the UU St. Pete Animal Ministry Team (designed by Chapter Leader Kelly Patton), and hundreds were signed and mailed to the FWC asking them to call off the bear hunt.
Children (and the young at heart) participated by coloring postcards letting the FWC know that we need to protect, not kill, Florida's beloved black bears to keep them around for future generations.
Contact us!
Contact us!
If you have any questions or comments, please email animal.ministry@uustpete.org
We welcome your involvement and input!
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