Nero at Church -- 09/25/13 // Faith UCC 3rd Annual "Blessing of the Pets" Service Held Last Night

(source)

Nero was one of five animals who attended the third annual "Blessing of the Pets" worship celebration last night at my own Faith United Church of Christ. He and Husband Mark were the only ones from our family able to attend (D' had tae kwon do practice and I had chauffeur duties). According to Mark, Nero was captivated by the rabbit in attendance (he hadn't yet had supper), but otherwise was quite shy.

This worship service is timed to coincide with the October 3rd St. Francis of Assisi feast day. He is the patron saint of animals and the environment. These services are usually short and sweet. Everybody gathers with their pets and offers introductions. A service is held with a couple songs and a brief sermon. Then each animal is blessed and gifted with a treat.

Pastor Bob Loffer led this year's service and explored why pets and animals are so important to us:

Loffer said he believes that animals are tied into his faith and a larger life cycle that is currently out of balance. “I do believe God is the creator of all things, and all things in God’s creation should be honored and blessed,” he said. “We should take care of our planet so it can take care of us, and we haven’t done a very good job of that. We need every creature, even mosquitoes. It’s all part of that cycle of life.”

Loffer said he believes that humans could learn a lot from their pets, from caring for our earth to appreciating where we are in life. “Patience, a little forbearance, and to make do with our surroundings,” he said. “All they ask for is to be fed and watered and cared for. All they want is your love.”

I missed this year's Blessing of the Pets service at Faith UCC, but there is at least one other UCC-led Blessing of the Animals service scheduled soon that I will likely attend instead. Ms. Lion didn't get to go last night. Maybe that will be a good experience for her.