Rector's Note: Celebrating the Feast of St. Francis

Dear Saints,

This Sunday we will celebrate the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi. As the patron saint of animals and the environment, it's a tradition in many of our churches to offer animals blessings around his feast day, which falls every year on October 4.

The pet blessing service has always been one of my favorites, because with animals in church you never know what you're gonna get. Animals have a delightful way of disrupting the usual Anglican politeness and order. What’s more, as all of God’s creatures gather for worship, we get in a robust sense of what it means to be in Communion with creation.

As part of our celebration, pets are welcome at all three services this Sunday. The blessing will take place during the service at 8am and 9am. The blessing will be at the end of the 10:15 service where we will process out to the lawn for the blessing. If you are worshipping online, but would like to join us for the outside blessing, please do. If you are not able to bring your pet, you can also bring a picture of them to have blessed, and kids are welcome to bring a favorite stuffed animal for a blessing.

We will also be taking photo directory pictures this Sunday, so if you would like to have your pet in the photo, it’s a great opportunity for it.

It looks to be a beautiful weekend for celebrating God’s creation.

See you Sunday,


Andria+