Blessing of the Animals service brings in the community

First Presbyterian Church of Petaluma, California, reaches people by blessing their pets

by Erin Dunigan for the Presbyterian Foundation | Special to Presbyterian News Service

At First Presbyterian Church of Petaluma, California, the Rev. John Chase holds an annual Blessing of the Animals service. (photo by Erin Dunigan)

In the heart of Petaluma, California, a town steeped in agricultural history, First Presbyterian Church has found a unique way to connect with its community: through a yearly Blessing of the Animals service. “Not only are animals a significant part of the history of our town, but the animals that we spend time with are a huge part of people’s lives,” said the church’s pastor, the Rev. John Chase.

The inspiration for the Blessing of the Animals service stemmed from Chase’s desire to incorporate more of people’s lives outside of Sunday morning into meaningful experiences within the church’s worship. “We are trying to find ways to bring Monday through Saturday into what happens on Sunday morning,” he said.

Blessing of the Animals services have a history that’s centuries old. The roots go back to Saint Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals, who lived from 1181 to 1226. The feast day for Saint Francis is October 4, and the services usually take place in the fall. While it has Catholic history, Protestant churches have adopted the practice as a way to extend the love of Christ to our animal companions. Scores of Presbyterian churches hold Blessing of the Animals services each fall.

At First Presbyterian Church in Petaluma, the initial service three years ago was held outdoors. But the congregation realized that an indoor setting would provide a more intimate and meaningful experience for both animals and their owners. “When we held it outside it felt like a bit of an afterthought,” Chase said.

So, the second year the service was held inside — even though there was the risk of potential “accidents” happening, dogs barking, or other unexpected occurrences. The sanctuary became a welcoming space for a variety of creatures, from dogs and chickens to even a chinchilla. “This is one way that we can say with our actions that everyone is welcome, and this welcoming is our worship, not just an afterthought of the main worship,” Chase said.

“Last year and this year, I was surprised that we had people attend from the community who had never been to church before,” Chase said. For FPC Petaluma, the service has become a great way to engage authentically with the broader community.

The Blessing of the Animals service has become a deeply meaningful experience for the congregation. It offers a chance to honor the love and companionship that animals provide, and to express gratitude for their presence in our lives. As Chase explains, “The animals we spend time with are often our primary companions, and they bring us great joy and comfort.”

The service includes a special blessing for the animals, where humans and animals come forward together to receive the blessing. For those pets who might not be able to travel to attend the service in person, their humans have the option of bringing in a photo of the animal to be blessed. “If someone brings a photo of their dog on their phone because the dog can’t travel it shows how much it is valued — these animals in our lives are gifts from God,” Chase said. The service serves as a reminder that animals are part of God’s Creation and that all of Creation is God’s.

For other congregations that might be considering such a service, Chase has some practical advice. “Make sure that you set clear expectations,” he said. “There might be some messes to clean up, there might be barking during the hymns, and keep the service on the shorter side.” Additionally, he advises considering the hospitality practices we use for people and then determining what those might look like for animals — perhaps not a lot of drums or music that might make them uneasy and perhaps a water dish and treats at the door.

“If you are going to host a service like this, make sure to get the word out to the community, publicly — don’t limit it to just your congregation,” Chase said. For people in the community who have pets, it is easy for them to say, “I can come to a service like this — if I am going to be preached at, it is probably going to be that God loves my dog and I can handle that,” Chase said.

A Petaluma resident named Geoff is one such visitor. He brought his dog Luna because he had seen a post online and he thought “it would be a good thing for us to do together.”

Now, after three years, the Blessing of the Animals service has become a “tradition” at FPC Petaluma. “God made us physical — we are flesh and blood and dirt, and I think our worship should reflect that,” Chase said.

If the sanctuary ends up smelling a bit like pee or hay or dog biscuits, that’s OK with Chase. Animals, after all, have been part of God’s story since the very beginning. “The animals in our lives are gifts that God gives us and acknowledging that has become a meaningful part of our worship,” Chase said.

Chase offered a moving benediction to end the service.

“O God, you have made us and these animals and all living things. You are even more wonderful than the things you have made. We thank you for giving us these companions who give us joy. As you take care of us, so also we ask that you help us to take care of the animals who trust us and look to us for care. By doing this, we share in your own love for all Creation. Accept our thanks and praise.”

Erin Dunigan is an ordained evangelist and teaching elder in the PC(USA). She is a graduate of Princeton Theological Seminary. She serves as a photographer, writer and communications consultant and lives near the border in Baja California, Mexico. In her free time, she is an avid gardener and leads horseback riding tours along one of the most pristine stretches of beach in Northern Baja. Send comments on this article to robyn.sekula@presbyterianfoundation.org.