Change of scenery

I need a blessing. 
Being home alone for such extended periods of time, not having physical contact with anyone for months on end, and having to work twice as hard through artificial means of communication to care for people have all left me in need of blessing. For the first time since I was a child, I see the benefit of a pet. I have heard what lifesavers your pets have been to you these past 6 months. 
 
That’s how animals are. Our kinsfolk on this earth, they ask little to nothing of us except what is in every doctor’s oath: first, do no harm. And yet, we crowd them out of their habitats, we pollute their water and air, we hunt them for sport, and genetically modify them for our convenience and pleasure. 
 
Our furry, scaly, and feathered neighbors give us more blessing than we deserve based on our treatment of them. They sustain us, they are messengers of God’s kingdom, even. This Sunday I want to offer a blessing for the animals in your life. 
 
This Sunday I will be at the church from 3:00pm to 6:00pm, just sitting outside the front doors. I hope you will drive up and bring your animals with you. If you wear your mask and I wear my mask, I would be honored to bless the animal(s) that have blessing you. 
 
This year, the pandemic changes are actually a blessing to our annual animal tradition. The CDC says that pets don’t transmit Covid, so it’s one of the safe activities we CAN do. There isn’t a long worship service to sit through while your animal is restless. There aren’t too many other animals or humans around to get them riled or edgy. 
 
Having the opportunity to bless your animals (or stuffed animals) would be a blessing to me this week. I haven’t seen you for far too long and I long to give thanks to God for the creatures that have been your companions all these long months. I hope to see you on Sunday afternoon.


-Pr. Manda