Blessing the Animals

Every creature bears the mark of its maker. Join us Sunday, October 4 at 10:15 a.m. or 4:00 p.m. as we bless the animals who bless us simply by being.

About the Service

On October 4, 2026, we will hold the 10:15 a.m. Holy Eucharist on the back lawn, where we will bless dogs, cats, and plush animals whom we love and who love us too. The service lasts approximately 60 minutes.

At 4:00 p.m., join us for Simply Blessings — a 20-minute outdoor service of prayer and blessing on the back lawn. All are welcome, whether you're joining us for the first time or returning with a familiar face (and paws).

If your pet gets stressed in crowds, you are welcome to bring a photograph or memento of them to be blessed.

Our blessing honors Saint Francis of Assisi (c. 1180–1226), patron saint of animals and the environment.

Almighty God, we thank you for all the creatures you have made. We especially thank you for giving us our pets who bring us such joy. We thank you for the love they give us. Inspire us to love them as they love us. Protect them from injury, preserve them from illness; and help us provide them all they need. Grant this, O God, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, Amen. (A prayer of thanksgiving for animals.)

What to Expect

Bring your pet on a leash or in a carrier. We gather on the back lawn — follow the signs from the parking lot.

Animals, children, and first-time visitors are equally at home here. If your pet needs a moment away from the crowd, there is plenty of space to step back and still be part of the service.

A word for the anxious: we have had exuberant dogs, shy cats, and well-loved stuffed animals receive a blessing. All of it is welcome. All of it is holy.

Plan your visit

Blessing the Animals through the Years

A brown dog with a purple collar and leash sitting on grass, looked directly at the camera, with a person standing nearby and some outdoor objects in the background.
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Rev. Jenifer Gamber is bending down to pet a parishioner's golden retriever dog.
A man with glasses and a beard is pointing at a keyboard while an older man in a suit appears to be playing or adjusting it outdoors on a sunny day.
Group of middle-aged adults and dogs in a wooded outdoor setting, with some sitting on benches and others standing, engaged in conversation or activities.
A group of people sitting outdoors on a bench, with one person petting a small white dog sitting on the grass.
Two women are interacting with a dog during a dog blessing ceremony outdoors, with trees and sunlight filtering through the leaves.
A young girl sitting outdoors on a lawn chair with a Minnie Mouse plush toy, wearing a striped shirt and blue skirt, watching something with a smile. A boy with a pacifier and a purple checkered shirt stands next to her, touching her shoulder. There
A group of people sitting outdoors on grass, listening attentively, with a woman petting a large, curly-haired dog.
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A woman with blonde hair, wearing a white jacket and jeans, holds a purple leash attached to a smiling, white Labrador retriever. She is talking on her cellphone while three men in casual and business attire stand nearby. The scene is set in a wooded
Group of five older adults singing or rehearsing with open songbooks outdoors on a sunny day, with green grass and trees in the background.
Group of people gathered outdoors, with two guide dogs sitting on the grass, and a speaker in the background.
A group of people gathered outdoors, participating in a ceremony where a baby goat is being held by a man in a blazer. The scene includes a woman in a green clergy robe and various adults, with some showing interest and others observing closely.
A man holding a dog with headphones, with a woman standing behind them, in an outdoor setting with green foliage.
A bag of Milk Bone dog treats, some treats shaped like bones, and a small red, white, and blue box with a dog's face on it are placed on a flat stone surface outdoors, with trees and a wooden bench in the background.
People seated outdoors on lawn chairs and blankets attending a gathering under trees with a red brick building in the background.
A man reading a document sitting outdoors in a camping chair with a dog resting its head on his lap, surrounded by other people seated on camping chairs on a grassy area.
A choir performance outdoors on a sunny day, with choir members singing and a conductor leading, accompanied by a keyboard player. The setting includes green grass, trees, and a flower arrangement visible in the foreground.
Three people, two women and one man, are standing in a grassy outdoor area near a bench, with two dogs present. One woman is speaking and has flowers in her hand, while the other woman and the man are listening. There are chairs, tables, and trees in
Older woman in green academic gown speaking to a group of children sitting on a stone path outdoors, with musicians and musical equipment in the background.
A group of people gathered outdoors, holding papers, participating in a community event or service in a lush green park with trees and a playground in the background.
People gathered in a backyard on a sunny day, some walking dogs and a girl holding a cup, with trees and a brick house in the background.
An outdoor religious ceremony with a woman in green robes speaking into a microphone, standing next to an altar decorated with flowers, candles, and religious items, surrounded by trees and green shrubbery.
A woman dressed as a priest or nun is blessing children sitting on the ground outdoors, with a green grassy hill and a small stage with musicians in the background.
A large outdoor gathering shows people standing and seated in a grassy area surrounded by trees, engaged in what appears to be a church service or prayer meeting, with a table decorated with flowers at the front.
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A man in a light blue shirt and beige pants, reading papers, stands outdoors in a park-like setting with other people and dogs in the background. Two dogs, one wearing a backpack, sit in the foreground facing the man, who appears to be in a dog train
A woman in clerical robes giving a speech at an outdoor religious ceremony, with a table decorated with candles and flowers in front of her.
Two women are giving treats to two black dogs at a dog park, with more dogs and people visible in the background.
A woman kneeling on the ground interacting with a happy corgi dog while a person holding the dog's leash stands beside it. In the background, another dog and person are visible in a wooded outdoor setting.
Four people and four dogs in a wooded outdoor setting. Two individuals are interacting with a small, fluffy white dog, while another person is petting a black dog. The fourth person, partially visible, is holding a clipboard. The scene is shaded by t
A group of people sitting and standing in a backyard garden, some with dogs, engaging in a gathering or outdoor event on a sunny day.
People gathered outdoors, some sitting on the grass and others standing in a line, with two dogs and a woman petting one of the dogs in the foreground.
People sitting on wooden benches and walking dogs in a sunny, green forested outdoor area.
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