Blessing of the Animals and Gardens at Great Hill United Methodist Church

Blessing of the Animals and Gardens at Great Hill United Methodist Church.

The spring blessing of the animals and gardens will be held at Great Hill United Methodist Church on Sunday, April 26 at 10 a.m. At the service, the Rev. Michael Jenkins will bless animals at the service. He will also bless gardeners in thanksgiving for their participation in another growing season.Special blessings will be given for those who are planting community gardens to provide food for others.

Pet and animal owners and area gardeners are all invited to attend the service, which will be held in the grove of the church. In the event of rain, the service will be in the fellowship hall.

The spring blessing of the animals and gardens is based on the historic practice of Rogation Sunday, where the clergy and people offer thanks for the coming growing season. Animals that provide labor, food, or companionship are honored and blessed, and the gardeners are honored and blessed for their participation in God's plan for feeding the people. Rogation Days were traditional observances to seek God’s blessing on crops and the land. The observances reflect all people's dependence on God for a bountiful harvest.