Sunday, October 6, 2024
4:00pm in the Parish House Parking Lot
Rain Location: Parish Hall
As the golden hues of autumn begin to grace Flat Rock, the Episcopal Church of St. John in the Wilderness invites you and your beloved animal companions to a special service: the Blessing of the Animals. Mark your calendars for Sunday, October 6, at 4:00pm, when our furry, feathered, and even scaly friends will gather in the back parking lot behind the Parish Hall, located at 1905 Greenville Highway, for this joyful occasion.
This unique service welcomes all domestic animals—cats, dogs, chickens, horses, goats, birds, snakes, and more! Whether your pet has paws, wings, or hooves, they are all invited to receive a special blessing. If your animal companion can't attend in person, feel free to bring a stuffed animal or a photo to be blessed in their place. Our outdoor setting promises a lively and inclusive Eucharist where all of God’s creatures can feel the warmth of community and divine love.
Rev. Josh Stephens, Rector of St. John in the Wilderness, reflects on the significance of this event: “The more time I spend in Creation, the more I feel connected to the plants and animals that surround us and the God who made it all. We know your pets and farm animals are members of your family, so please come out for this special service that honors your animals and asks for God to bless and care for them as they bless and care for you.”
This service takes place just days after the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, a saint renowned for his deep love for all of God’s creatures. St. Francis' life was a radical departure from the intellectualism of his time, as he embraced a life of poverty and service in the way of Jesus Christ. His connection to animals is legendary, with stories of him preaching to birds and making peace with a fearsome wolf, whom he lovingly called “Brother Wolf.”
In the spirit of St. Francis, we gather to give thanks for the animals in our lives and to pray that the reconciling love of Christ may extend beyond our relationship with God to include all of creation. We hope you will join us and bring your animal companions for this special outdoor worship service. And don’t worry if it rains—we’ll simply move the celebration inside the Parish Hall.
We look forward to seeing you and your cherished animals on October 6!
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