News

St. John in Wilderness blesses pets on Oct. 6

By Lightning Reports, Published: August 22, 2024

The Episcopal Church of St. John in the Wilderness will offer a “Blessing of  the Animals” at 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 6, in the parking lot behind the Parish Hall at 1905 Greenville Highway, Flat Rock.

Furry and feathered companions are invited to the special service to receive a blessing. Cats, dogs, snakes, chickens, horses, birds, goats — in fact all domestic animals — welcome. As an option, a stuffed animal or pet photo may be presented to receive a blessing. The outdoor meeting space will create a lively Eucharist for all creatures involved.

“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," said the Rev. Josh Stephens, rector of the parish. "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."

The service comes a few days 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.

The church invites families and their animal companions for the fun outdoor worship service. In the event of rain, the service will be moved to the Parish Hall. For more information call 828-693-9783 or visit www.stjohnflatrock.org.