Blessing of the Animals church service: Pets of all faiths welcome

On Sunday, October 4, at 10 a.m., St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Kimberling City will join with other churches around the world in celebrating The Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals and the environment. Every year during this service, St. Mark’s celebrates God's great and diverse world filled with so many beautiful creatures. St. Francis called all creatures his “brothers and sisters,” and believed that human beings have a duty to protect nature and everything in it as the stewards of God’s creation.

This service is an opportunity to thank God for the blessing of your pet(s). To let your pet know how very special they are to your family, bring them to St. Mark’s, located at 3 Northwoods Dr. (at James River Rd.) in Kimberling City at 10 a.m. on Sunday, October 4. If your pet is sick or may be shy, their photo can be blessed; it counts! The Blessing of the Animals Service will be in lieu of our regular morning worship and will include a very special bulletin for your fur baby to take home and show their friends.

 The Tri-Lakes Humane Society in Reeds Spring has a wish list of items they need. We are asking for your pet, when they come for their blessing, to help the furry orphans at the shelter by bringing, if able, one or more of these items: paper towels, old bath towels, tall kitchen (8-gallon) trash bags, 55-gallon heavy duty trash bags, both scoopable and non-clumping kitty litter, wet dog food, Fancy Feast canned kitten food, Purina (poultry) canned and dry cat food and dog and cat treats.        

We ask that pets be in a carrier, or to have their humans on a leash. At the end of the service, the Reverend Anne Cheffey will give each pet, and their human, a special blessing just for them. Even though this is a serious service with a long tradition, it is a fun event with lots of tail wagging and socializing. For more information, call 417-338-5488.