03.21.07

The Blessing of the Animals

Posted in Christianity, Unitarian Universalism, Animal Rights, My Life at 10:14 pm by Freeman Wicklund

Reverend Lerner blesses Wagner
Rev. Lerner blesses Wagner, the companion of Laura Ellis

I went to my first blessing of the animals this past Sunday. It took place at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Silver Spring and was conducted by Rev. Elizabeth Lerner. There were so many creatures in the sanctuary; I had to keep looking outside to make sure it wasn’t starting to rain for 30 days and 30 nights. :-P

Rev. Lerner blessed every animal, saying, “May you be as blessed in the coming year as you have been a blessing in the past year.” The only exception to her saying this was when she blessed a three-month-old puppy, causing her to change the blessing accordingly.

Tippy and her human, Jen at the Blessing for the Animals
Tippy and her human, Jen at the Blessing of the Animals

There were dogs and cats of all kinds; hamsters, rabbits and even a lizard. Some people brought in photos of their animals. When we sang songs, many of the dogs would join in with howls and barks.

During a prayer based on one by Saint Francis of Assissi, Rev. Lerner said, “We give thanks for the many living things that share and grace this planet. We pray that we may better learn to share it back and better honor the ways and works of nature.” It was heartening for me to be a part of a community sharing an appreciation of the animals whom enrich our lives, and remembering our duties towards them as feeling individuals who have inherent value.

Encourage your church to incorporate sermons on appreciating and respecting animals. The Unitarian Universalists for the Ethical Treatment of Animals are a great resource for congregations. They provide resources on how to give a blessing of the animals at your church and have a variety of award-winning sermons about animals available on their Web site.

Padme (cat) and Laurie at the Blessing for the Animals
Padme and her human, Laurie, at the Blessing of the Animals

This text was written in 2007 by Freeman Wicklund of FreemanWicklund.org, and it may be freely reprinted or distributed in any e-zine, e-mail, newsletter or blog as long as this sentence and Web link are included.

5 Comments »

  1. Tiger said,

    March 23, 2007 at 12:10 am

    I love what you are doing! Nice! Thank you for sharing.

  2. Jen said,

    March 23, 2007 at 11:32 am

    Thanks Freeman!! I’ve sent this URL to tons of friends. Come back to church this Sunday for a sermon on the inherent dignity and worth of all people. Laurie and I will be at the 11:15. Look for us!

    Jen

  3. Freeman Wicklund said,

    March 23, 2007 at 1:24 pm

    Thank you Jen! I can tell you have been passing this page’s link around. My hits have been shooting up and up. From now on, I will have to include a picture of you in all of my blog entries. ;-)

    Thanks also for the invite to church. I would love to join you, except that I will be on a plane flying to Arizona to see my family. However, I have a few written and podcasted sermons that I will have with me so I can do a little “church on a plane.”

    I hope you enjoy the service and the next time I’m living near Silver Spring on a Sunday, I will be sure to join you! :-)

  4. June Horner said,

    March 24, 2007 at 1:14 pm

    Thanks Freeman ! I love the pictures and commentary.
    I have bookmarked your blog, so I can check it regularly.
    And I’m going to pass this along to friends at Cedarhurst UU.

    June

  5. Take Action for a Better World » Blessing for the Animals said,

    May 5, 2007 at 1:33 pm

    I’ve posted another blog about the blessing of the animals which links to an outline of a service that someone gave in her own congregation.

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