Call it a resolution, call it a commitment or simply call it obeying what Jesus named the second most important commandment, All Saints' invites you to explore how together and individually we can make 2012 A YEAR OF COMPASSION.

Our manual and the inspiration for this initiative is Twelve Steps to a Compassionate Life by Karen Armstrong, a book that is already having a life-changing impact among parishioners. First, it reminds us that living compassionately is what we're called to do and then gives us the tools to intentionally practice compassion day by day.

Get Involved

We encourage you to get involved now. Read the book, start a personal 'compassion journal', join one of the pop-up groups, add your name to the Charter for Compassion at http://charterforcompassion.org/site/, register for the January and February Dinner Series, attend special guest speaker events or art exhibits - we're adding activities every week. As you strive to live more compassionately, you'll be making a positive difference in your own life, in the lives of loved ones, colleagues and maybe people you haven't even met yet. And that's very much the vision for A Year of Compassion. The in-reach will help equip each of us; the outreach will go beyond the walls of All Saints' to our local and global neighbors.

Your Next 3 Steps

1. Buy or borrow Twelve Steps to a Compassionate Life by Karen Armstrong at The Parish Store or by accessing Amazon.com from here (the church benefits every time you buy). Start reading - and watch Karen Armstrong's TED talks that were the genesis of her book and The Charter for Compassion.

2. Participate in one of the Pop-Up Discussion Groups. If you've started reading Twelve Steps to a Compassionate Life, have already finished it or are wondering if you should begin reading, come to one of these casual guided discussions about the book.

3. Sign up to join the Year of Compassion email list here. As we add events and activities, we'll email you details.