By ceumc on October 7, 2012

Animal Blessing

Mickey was one of more than 30 dogs, one cat and one rabbit at Sunday's Blessing of the Animals at the Cape Elizabeth United Methodist Church. Mickey was brought by Sandy Simpson.

Blessed are the Animals

The Rev. Ruth Morrison was thrilled when the pews were filled and the congregation sat attentive and focused on all that she preached at Sunday’s third service.

It didn’t matter that her “parishioners” for the day were more than 30 dogs, one cat and a rabbit. It was the Cape Elizabeth United Methodist Church’s annual Blessing of the Animals on the Feast of St. Francis of Assissi, patron saint of the environment and animals.

The Rev. Ruth Morrison blesses Buddy, being held by his owner, Beckler.

The Rev. Ruth Morrison blesses Buddy, being held by his owner, Peggy Beckler.

On a cloudy, damp afternoon with the threat of rain, more than 40 people brought their pets to the blessing, which for the first time was open to all animals, not just dogs. As a result, a cat named Lily and a rabbit named Oliver were included in Rev. Morrison’s prayers and blessings.

Oliver the rabbit receives a kiss from Ruth Morrison. Oliver was being held by Nate Chatfield.

The blessing was held in the outdoor chapel, in the woods behind the church parking lot. Even though the dogs, cat and rabbit were recipients of Rev. Morrison’s blessings, other unseen animals clearly were in on the blessing, as reflected in the special service’s opening prayer:

Praise the Lord

all dogs and cats, large and small.

Praise the Lord

all gold fish and guppies and swimming creatures,

all robins, wrens and singing birds.

Praise the Lord

all bats, squirrels and raccoons,

all lizards, snakes and creeping things.

Praise the Lord, O farm animals

all horses, cows and sheep and pigs

Praise the Lord.

Christy Willits and her dog, Tiny Max.

As part of the blessing, Rev. Morrison asked for volunteers to talk about how their pets were named. One of the most interesting stories came from Shirley Maxwell-Royall and her daughter Cayden, who brought their dog Henry. Henry was named for Cayden’s great-great-great uncle, poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.

Cayden Maxwell and Henry.

Another story came from Jaymie Chamberlin about her dog Moses. Jaymie explained that she and her family had seen “Prince of Egypt,” an animated film about the life of Moses. Jaymie said that the night they saw the film, she dreamed that the family would get a Pekingese dog. They did and naturally, they named the dog Moses. Jaymie’s other dog that she brought to the blessing is named Yankee — he was born on the Fourth of July.