Join Us for the Blessing of the Animals

All domestic animals, plus stuffies and pet photos, are welcome!

St. John in the Wilderness will offer our annual Blessing of the Animals on Sunday, October 5, 2025, at 4:00pm in the new Wilderness Chapel located on the Trails of St. John behind the Parish Hall at 1905 Greenville Highway. The Wilderness Chapel is less than a 10th of a mile from the parking lot.

Furry and feathered companions are invited to this special service to receive a blessing. Cats, dogs, snakes, chickens, horses, birds, goats--in fact, all domestic animals--are welcome! As an option, a stuffed animal or pet photo may be presented to receive a blessing.

"The Blessing of the Animals is a joyful reminder that all of God’s creatures are part of one sacred family. When we gather to bless the animals who share in our lives in Christ, we honor not only their companionship but also our calling to care for creation,” said Rev. Josh Stephens, Rector of St. John in the Wilderness. “We hope you'll join us for this time to connect with God's creation, give thanks for its beauty, and recognize the divine love that flows through all living things."

The service comes one day after the annual Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, a man with a true spirit of love and peace that could have only come from God. He turned the cerebral, inward-leaning theology and scholasticism of the Middle Ages, on its head by his radical commitment to living a life of poverty and service in the pattern of Jesus of Nazareth.

Those who encountered St. Francis were drawn into the peaceable Kingdom of God to know more fully the Prince of Peace. Even animals, it is said, were attracted to his Christ-like gentleness. In one story he preaches to a flock of birds. In another he makes peace with a wolf that had been terrorizing a village calling the creature “Brother Wolf” and reconciling him to the village.

In the event of rain, the service will be relocated inside the Parish Hall. No registration is necessary. All are welcome!