Dogs and cats, goats and chickens, a Jerusalem donkey, maybe even a couple of alpaca will gather on the west lawn of St. Thomas Episcopal Church Sunday for a blessing of the animals.
The Sunday service will begin with the Lord’s Supper celebrated at 11 a.m. followed by the St. Francis Blessing of the Animals at noon for a “meet and greet” with the church’s animal family or “drop by” for those in a rush.
ETSU Bluegrass Professor Lee Bidgood and friends will lead music featuring Appalachian hymns and melodies throughout the morning and early afternoon. “Waffles,” the Parish donkey, who leads the procession to the Covered Bridge each Palm Sunday as in the Gospel story, will be on hand to greet everyone. “Waffles,” a Jerusalem donkey (as signified by a cross on his back), will serve as honorary master of ceremonies for the day.
“All sorts and kinds of critters and members of the church’s animal family — great and small, furry and not — are heartily invited to join in the festivities,” said Nicole Lane of St. Thomas. She and her family have been long active with the care and love of “small” and “great” creatures. “God loves them all,” she exclaimed.
Each animal family attending will be given a St. Francis medal and certificate of love from the congregation which worships weekly each Sunday at 11 a.m. and noondays Wednesday.
The Rev. Timothy Holder is priest and pastor at St. Thomas, located next to the Carter County Courthouse at 815 E. Second St.