Downtown Fort Worth church hosts pet blessing for ‘all of creation’
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A downtown Fort Worth gathering at First Christian Church was furrier than usual.
One by one, members of the church and their respected canine friends began to congregate at the bottom of the steps of the historic sanctuary. The Rev. Greg Smith, interim senior minister, stood at the top of the steps Saturday morning and looked at the crowd of two- and four-legged attendees.
Smaller dogs panted in their owners’ laps, bigger pooches stretched their long legs and wagged their tails — other hounds arrived at the church via bike trailer.
At the chime of the church bells, Smith called the group into prayer. “Bless these animals that are gathered here today, and the ones that are on their way. Keep them safe and healthy and help us to be faithful stewards of their lives and the world that we share. May our love for these creatures open our hearts to a deeper love for all of creation,” Smith said in prayer.
The prayer marked the over 170-year-old church’s first pet blessing ceremony. The observance is often associated with Saint Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of ecology and animals due to his noted love of nature, birds and all creatures. The Italian friar was born in 1182 and founded the Catholic Church’s Franciscan order.
Each year, churches across Tarrant County host pet blessing ceremonies near Saint Francis of Assisi Feast Day on Oct. 4. Anyone, Christian or otherwise, can have their companions blessed with a prayer or a sprinkle of holy water.
This weekend, each attendee and their pet received a blessing from Smith through a prayer, a certificate and a goodie bag filled with treats.
Michael Raines came to the event wearing a shirt covered with Snoopy graphics. At his side was Molly, his 6-year-old Siberian husky. Molly was rescued off the streets of east Dallas and has lived with Raines since before the COVID-19 pandemic, he said. A homebody by nature, Molly prefers to stay by Raines’ side instead of bolting out the door when given the chance. She exudes a more feline personality, he said, such as preferring crisp water — and wanting Raines to hold it for her.
Raines has participated in blessings for pets he’s had in the past. Aside from the annual ceremony, he considered times at the dog park as a form of fellowship for the pair.
“Since these animals are pretty much a part of our daily lives, it’s a great way to integrate that aspect into our worship and our faith walk,” Raines said.
The inaugural ceremony is part of the congregation’s journey to become more visible in the community, Smith said. That means trying new things like pet blessings, which were offered to both members of the church and the general public.
First Christian Church is affiliated with the Disciples of Christ tradition, which doesn’t have saints, Smith said. However, the denomination does recognize the importance and value of all of God’s creations.
“We’re gathering in the memory and honor of Saint Francis in that spirit to offer a blessing to all animals and to their people,” Smith said. “We just want to affirm all of those relationships and all of creation.”
Sitting on the church steps was Rockelle McClendon, 13, along with her 3-year-old Yorkshire terrier, Coco. A First Christian Church member since she was young, McClendon had a good time seeing everyone getting together to have their dogs blessed.
After receiving a blessing, she said she hopes Coco is “very happy and he enjoys his life because I love him so much.”