Blessed Be the Animals at SUMC

Pastor Lydia Munoz of Swarthmore United Presbyterian Church.

Did you sing “All things bright and beautiful! All creatures great and small!” when you were a child? You and all members of the Swarthmore community are invited to reprise those lyrics along with the congregation of Swarthmore United Methodist Church this Sunday, October 13, at 10:30 a.m. at a Blessing of the Animals. Anticipating a “bright and beautiful “morning, the service will be held on the church lawn. Bring your furry, feathered, crawling, purring friends and your two-legged friends as well.

Pastor Lydia Munoz has previously blessed a wide variety of animals besides the dogs and cats we might expect to attend with their human friends. Some of the more unusual ones include a snake, cockatoo, lovebirds, goat, and llama. Animals should be leashed or caged as appropriate, of course. There will also be a special time with the children.

As part of the celebration, participants will learn about how all of us can get involved in the care for the home that all creatures inhabit: the Earth. Climate change is affecting their home and ours. Let’s talk about it on Sunday, while experiencing barks and squawks from our animal friends. This is a rain or shine event; the humans and animals will move inside if the weather isn’t cooperative.