Blessing of the Animals!

Many thanks to the worship committee for their leadership and especially Barney Hopkins and Gloria Smith, who participated in ‘Tales of Tobermory’ last Sunday while I was away. At the end of October, I am honoured to be presenting a workshop at the Lester Randall Preaching Fellowship in Toronto, and so, last week I was developing that workshop and also preparing for our fall services. It was a good week – quiet, productive and restful – needed, after a very busy summer!

Now, we enter into the Season of Creation, the season of the church year where we pay special attention to Creation and our sacred relationship with it. The worship committee has decided to follow the theme of The Wisdom of Creation for the season, and we’ll be exploring the specific themes of Where is Wisdom?, Indigenous Wisdom (on Orange Shirt Sunday), The Wisdom of the Generations and then the Wisdom of Gratitude (Thanksgiving). 

For this Sunday, we’ll explore the Wisdom of Creation with a Blessing of the Animals service! We had a similar service last year at this time, and it was so much fun! I remember wanting animals to come to church every Sunday! The service will be outdoors on the labyrinth and friendly, well-behaved pets are welcome. If bringing your actual pet seems too much, then bring a picture, and it too can be blessed! So, far the weather forecast looks awesome!

To prepare, read Genesis 1:20-25 and Job 12:7-10 and ponder the following:

1.      What is the most profound thing that you have been taught by an animal?

2.      Western culture has created a ‘disconnect’ between humanity and the rest of Creation. In your view, how do we get connected again?

Images: from the 2024 Blessing of the Animals service