To mark Animal Welfare Sunday, on Sunday 5^th October 2008, over seventy people brought their pets to the first ever service of Thanksgiving and Blessing of Pets at St Wilfrid’s Church Bognor.

There was a simple liturgy and short address led by Father Andrew Wadsworth, the Parish priest. At the end of the service, Father Andrew brought his dog, Reme to stand with him for the final blessing.

This is the first of such services in the history of St Wilfrid’s Church but fitted well with the Christian Calendar as Churches recognised the life and witness of St Francis of Assisi who composed the great Christian hymn ‘All creatures of our God and King’.

The suggestion to hold a Pet service at the Bognor Church came from Maureen Howland to recognise the love and companionship that many people have for their pets. During the service, there was an act of faith and commitment, in which those attending affirmed to respect the creation and peace among all creatures.

At the end of the service, there was a retiring collection for the work of the RSPCA, which raised £80.00. The money raised will go support the work of Mount Noddy,  Blackmill Lane, Eartham, Chichester which is a nearby RSPCA Rescue Centre.

It is hoped that this event will now become an annual event in the life of the Churches calendar. 

 

A podcast of the service

To see the full picture album click below.  (Note to see an automatic slide show click here )

Pet's Service

Photographs by Chantal and Kevin Durban-Jackson and Peter Green