Greta, MyBernerSt Francis Episcopal Church, Stamford, CT
Monthly Service for Pets and Their People
Yesterday Greta (my Bernese Mountain Dog, pictured above. who is now 80+ pounds of energy), children and I attended a Eucharist designed for pets and their people. It is a simple Eucharist (no music, except for the growls, barks, whines, and excited yips), held in the sanctuary, with an especially relevant message and prayers for pets and the people that love them. Perhaps most touching was the story of the family that drove from two states away for a special healing prayer for their very ill dog. They had heard about the service through a Google Internet search.
At communion we all gathered at the altar with our pets (all dogs). The people received communion and the pets received a blessing (spontaneously it appeared, Greta’s blessing—as she dropped the half chewed bulletin from her mouth and opened her huge puppy mouth to tug on the end of the priest’s stole—was for “a long life of continued friskiness!” Right now I could do with a little less frisky.)
Besides enjoying worshipping with our new four legged addition, I was struck by this congregation’s ability to connect with pet-loving people from the wider community that were not members of the congregation. The priest said that many people attend services only on that one Sunday per month for the pet service, thus forming a new pet/people centered congregation.
Do you live in an area where dogs and other pets are a vital part of the community? If so, you might consider a monthly pet service. Post signs at the dog park, at the beach, or other places dog lovers frequent. Or even consider holding the service at one of these popular dog spots.
St. Francis in Stamford offers the service at 4PM (a great time for even the most tired teenager to attend!). If you would like more information, or to speak with the staff, visit http://www.stfrancisstamford.org/SundayPetService.htm
or call 203.322.2949.
Woof.
Yesterday Greta (my Bernese Mountain Dog, pictured above. who is now 80+ pounds of energy), children and I attended a Eucharist designed for pets and their people. It is a simple Eucharist (no music, except for the growls, barks, whines, and excited yips), held in the sanctuary, with an especially relevant message and prayers for pets and the people that love them. Perhaps most touching was the story of the family that drove from two states away for a special healing prayer for their very ill dog. They had heard about the service through a Google Internet search.
At communion we all gathered at the altar with our pets (all dogs). The people received communion and the pets received a blessing (spontaneously it appeared, Greta’s blessing—as she dropped the half chewed bulletin from her mouth and opened her huge puppy mouth to tug on the end of the priest’s stole—was for “a long life of continued friskiness!” Right now I could do with a little less frisky.)
Besides enjoying worshipping with our new four legged addition, I was struck by this congregation’s ability to connect with pet-loving people from the wider community that were not members of the congregation. The priest said that many people attend services only on that one Sunday per month for the pet service, thus forming a new pet/people centered congregation.
Do you live in an area where dogs and other pets are a vital part of the community? If so, you might consider a monthly pet service. Post signs at the dog park, at the beach, or other places dog lovers frequent. Or even consider holding the service at one of these popular dog spots.
St. Francis in Stamford offers the service at 4PM (a great time for even the most tired teenager to attend!). If you would like more information, or to speak with the staff, visit http://www.stfrancisstamford.org/SundayPetService.htm
or call 203.322.2949.
Woof.
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