Events!

     (click pix below

    for FUMC pictures)

Blessing of the Animals

This custom is conducted in remembrance of

St. Francis of Assisi’s love for all creatures.

October 2, 2011

The bond between person and pet is like no other relationship, because the communication between fellow creatures is at its most basic.   Eye-to-eye, a man, woman, or child to their dog are two creatures of love. Same with other pets: cat, rabbit, hamster, horse, etc.

No wonder people enjoy the opportunity to take their animal companions to church for a special blessing. Church is the place where the bond of creation is celebrated.

Pastor Mary spends time with each animal creation of God sharing a prayer of blessing.  A sample blessing may be:

                “Blessed are you, Lord God, maker of all living creatures. You called forth fish in the sea, birds in                      the air and animals on the land. You inspired St. Francis to call all of them his brothers and sisters.      

                We ask you to bless this pet. By the power of your love, enable it to live according to your plan. May we

                always praise you for all your beauty in creation. Blessed are you, Lord our God, in all your creatures!

                Amen.”

What a special ministry opportunity!  The love we give to a pet, and receive from a pet, can draw us more deeply into the larger circle of life, into the wonder of our common relationship to our Creator.  The Blessing of the Animals is always held the first Sunday afternoon/evening in the month of October!

Click here to see a sampling of pictures from last year's blessing!

############################################################################################

A Bit of History              

St. Francis of Assis, whose feast day is October 4th, loved the larks flying about his hilltop town. He and his early brothers, staying in a small hovel, allowed themselves to be displaced by a donkey.

Francis wrote a Canticle of the Creatures, an ode to God’s living things. “All praise to you, Oh Lord, for all these brother and sister creatures.” And there was testimony in the cause for St. Clare of Assisi’s canonization that referred to her little cat!