Usually when a church has honoured guests, it rolls out the red carpet. Not so this Sunday, Oct. 17, however. Instead, Gibsons United Church will roll out the plastic to welcome the much-loved critters of its congregation to a special "Blessing of the Animals" worship service.
Rev. Terri Scallon, a self-confessed dog nut, will conduct the special service at 10 a.m.
This custom began as a way to remember St. Francis of Assisi's love of animals.
Francis, whose feast day is Oct. 4, loved the larks flying above his hilltop home. While staying in a small hovel with his fellow brothers, Francis and the group allowed themselves to be displaced by a donkey.
Francis wrote the Canticle of the Creatures, an ode to God's living things.
All pet owners and lovers on the Sunshine Coast are welcome to this special service. The only stipulation: make sure your pet can tolerate a lot of attention.
The church is located at 724 Truman Road in Lower Gibsons.
