On October 6, 2024, after our worship service, we had the opportunity to share in our annual BLESSING OF PETS on the parking lot of the church. Numerous folks went home after the service to pick up and bring their pets to church for a special blessing. We also were blessed to have some folks from the surrounding community hear about the Pet Blessing and come with their pets to share in this opportunity. Guests were encouraged to bring donations of pet food for the Santee Food Bank to distribute.
The worship service was themed around our God-given responsibility to be good stewards of creation (“have dominion”), for pets as well as animals of every kind, and even included a hymn called THE ESTUARY ROUND (sung to the tune of Tallis’ Canon) and written by retired pastor Bill Radatz.
Thanks to all who helped with planning and set-up for this event, especially Michele Strand and Sherise Stark. Sherise’s daughter Serenity (who brought their cat for a blessing) provided the inspiration for this event several years ago, instituting a pet food collection at the event for the Santee Food Bank to distribute to their guests as needed.
Each pet blessed received a certificate and a St. Francis medallion for the pet to wear on its collar. Pictures tell the story best - so here we go:
