BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS

Redondo Beach First United Methodist Church to Welcome All Creatures with a Free Blessing of Pets

Redondo Beach, CA – First United Methodist Church of Redondo Beach will offer prayers for our pets at a Blessing of the Animals on Thursday, October 4 from 6-7:30 p.m. on the lawn outside their church building. A brief community prayer service will be followed by individual prayers of blessing on any animals present. Pastor Molly Vetter will lead the Blessing, and anyone is welcome to participate.

“So many of our members and our neighbors love walking their dogs in our community, and we wanted to offer a blessing for them,” said pastor Molly Vetter of Redondo Beach First United Methodist Church. “Of course, the Blessing is open to all animals, and we hope people will feel welcome to bring their pets for prayer. Rabbits, lizards, mice, chickens: they are all welcome.”

The Blessing will take place at on the First United Methodist Church of Redondo Beach property, at 243 S Broadway in Redondo Beach. People will gather on the lawn on Broadway, just north of Torrance Blvd. The event will begin with a brief liturgy and prayers shared by the community that gathers at 6 p.m., followed by the opportunity for individual blessing of any pets that are brought to the service.  People should bring their pets on leashes or in appropriate carriers, and, of course, everyone is responsible for their pet during the Blessing.

The October 4 date was chosen from the event because it is the traditional feast day of St. Francis of Assisi, a Christian leader known for his love of animals and the environment.

“While this is our first time to host a Blessing of the Animals, the tradition isn’t new,” said pastor Vetter. “Our Christian tradition has long held a deep love of the natural world. We believe that we ought to value the world because it was created by God.”

For more information, contact Pastor Molly Vetter at 310-372-8445 or PastorMolly@beachfaith.com.