"A Blessing of Animals, in many congregations, witnesses to God's and the Church's love, care and concern for creation. As we recognize our mutual interdependence with God's creatures, the Church's witness of stewardship of creation is strengthened." (UM Book of Worship)

This Sunday we will celebrate a Blessing of the Animals at 2:00pm in the church parking lot. The Blessing of the Animals is one of my favorite special services. As lover of animals, I appreciate the opportunity to give God thanks for our four-legged friends. We picked the first Sunday of October since it is the Sunday closest to St. Francis of Assisi's feast day. In the Roman Catholic tradition St. Francis of Assisi is the patron saint of animals. St. Francis considered the creature of the earth his brothers and sisters.

I hope you will join me in giving thanks to God for the all the animals of the earth! "O Lord, how manifold are your works! In wisdom you have made them all; the earth is full of your creatures." (Psalm 104: 25)