Animal Blessing Celebrates Pets and Companionship

Earth Day goes to the Dogs ... and the cats and rabbits and guinea pigs. The Unitarian Universalist Church of Greater Lynn opened its doors to animals of all kinds this past Sunday, the 42nd anniversary of Earth Day, for its first ever Animal Blessing Ceremony.

There were occasional barks and meows throughout the intergenerational ceremony which began with the hymn “All Creatures ofthe Earth and Sky” and ended with everyone joining in to sing Carole King’s“You’ve Got a Friend.” 

The highlight of the morning was when people and their companion animals were invited up for an individual blessing. There was a parade of dogs on leads, cats and other small furry creatures in crates or baskets … even a frog!

Some brought photos of their departed pets and smaller children came with stuffed animals. All received an individual blessing and a St. Francis medal, the Catholic Saint known for his love of animals.

There were also special readings from the texts of the major religious traditions, including the Christian, Jewish, Buddhist, Earth-Centered, Islamic, Taoist and Hindu religions, as well as a spirited sermon, entitled “Golfing with Monkeys” by guest worship leader Susan Thomas.

Ms.Thomas organized the event along with support of the Religious Services Coordinator Trish Aldrich, the choir, and the church’s Green Sanctuary Ministry Team, whose theme this year is honoring and celebrating animals.

During the ceremony, the choir also sang “A Place in the Choir” with verses that included: “Some sing low, some sing higher/Some sing out loud on th telephone wires/And some just clap their hands, or paws, or anything they got now.”

As people and their pets were leaving the sanctuary and heading into the Parish Hall for refreshments — which included dog biscuits, of course! — Ms. Aldrich, also a member of the choir, remarked: 
“It was so great to look around and see so many people singing and looking so happy!”

The children most of all seemed to love the ceremony.

Little 4-year-old Beckett, son of church members Marc and Heather Hazel, said “Mom, it was the best church day ever!”

More information about the , located at 101 Forest Avenue, Swampscott, can be found on its website at: www.uucgl.org.