Religion

Last Updated on Sunday, 28 September 2014 20:30

Tradition tells us that St. Francis of Assisi introduced the practice of the blessing of animals in the 13th century. It was his way of reminding us that animals are also part of God's creation, and many churches still follow this practice.

October 4 is the feast day of St. Francis and on Sunday, October 5, St. David's Episcopal Church will again remind us to honor our fellow creatures. Parishioners will be bringing their pets to the service that day. At the altar, they will be blessed, while the relationship between the pet and its owner is also blessed.

No one is excluded from participating. Children can bring a favorite stuffed animal to the church that day if they don't have pets, since this is often the first thing that children care for, and so a pastoral blessing is given. Even if a pet is deceased, there is a place for it, as Fr. McInnes offers a prayer for lost friends and companions.

Please consider coming to St. David's to participate or just watch this very joyful ceremony. Guests are always welcome.

Youth Groups

Some adults at St. David's have been very busy this summer working to bring a new program to St. David's Episcopal Church – youth groups.

Since the restructuring of the church began in the spring of 2012, the number of parishioners has increased from 25 to 175, and a great part of this increase is the number of children – from infants to teens. In response to the need to minister to the elementary and high school age groups, the church's Worship Committee saw the need to develop a youth ministry, so that young people can become a community and enjoy fellowship time together. And this ministry is not limited to the children and teens at St. David's; they are always encouraged to invite friends to join in the fun.

Activities have already started, and the adult sponsors continue to be busy this year discussing goals and designing programs to interest and attract the school-aged children. But their long-term goal is a much more impressive one. Their wish is to see the youth program flourish to the point that the church will need to hire a full-time youth minister. It would be a major step forward in St. David's growth and one happily anticipated by the congregation.