Jesus All About Life with animals
Seamus receives his blessing from the Revd Erna Brigg at St Luke's Animal Service. (Photo Richard Verrall)
In spite of intermittent rain, St Luke’s Taroona was full on 30 September for the Annual Blessing of the Animals, with visitors from as far afield as Spreyton and the Fingal Valley.
St Francis of Assisi (alias the Revd John Teniswood) assisted in the blessing of the animals and autographed certificates of attendance.
As usual, there were dogs of all shapes and sizes, ranging from a toy poodle to Scottish deerhounds and a St Bernard. The dogs joined in the hymn singing with great enthusiasm; and as always, silence reigned during the prayers and the children’s story.
Afterwards there was morning tea and dog biscuits. This year’s guest of honour, Minstrel the alpaca, coped with his first public appearance with poise and dignity.
Many of the people who attend this annual event are not members of church communities, or necessarily Christian, and it was a privilege this year to be able to distribute the Jesus All About life pamphlets as a reinforcement of the morning’s message of God’s love and concern for all creation.