Pastor Lisa Klaus prays over a pet. (Photo courtesy of Leta Durrett).

Bethany Christian Church doesn’t want a furry friend to prevent neighbors from attending services. In fact, it encourages church attenders to bring their pets, and celebrated this weekend with a pet blessing service.

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Churches all over the country celebrate the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals and the environment, by having a pet blessing service. Bethany’s service started four years ago, after some church members who were bringing their pets to another meeting thought they should have a service where they bless their pets, according to Leta Durrett, who grew up in the church and still attends today.

Photo courtesy of Leta Durrett

The pet blessing service takes place on the Saturday closest to the Feast day on Oct 4. Last Saturday, church members brought treats for the pups and the people, a photo back drop and pastor Lisa Klaus performed a service and prayed for the pets individually. “I was giving thanksgiving for the gift of creation that they are in their owner’s lives, asking God’s blessings upon them and that their owners are a blessing to them,” she said.

Attendees included church members and neighbors, as the pet blessing service is also an outreach event. Durrett says that neighbors who are walking their dog will often approach the door the church during services, but not come inside. They hope their pet-friendly stance will encourage people to bring their animals into the service.

If front lawn church gatherings are your thing, Bethany Christian Church will be having an authentic cast-iron community cookout on November 4. Be sure to bring your four-legged friends.

Photo courtesy of Leta Durrett