RANGELEY – The Church of the Good Shepherd in Rangeley invites the community to a Blessing of the Animals on Sunday, October 3rd at 1 PM, on the church’s lakeside lawn. This event is part of the church’s centennial anniversary celebration: The Shepherd’s Arms – 100 Years of Reaching Out in Love. All are welcome!
The custom of blessing animals is conducted in remembrance of St. Francis of Assisi and his love for all creatures great and small. “God blesses us with companions in many forms,” says the Rev. Thom Rock, rector of Good Shepherd, “Our companion animals are important parts of our lives and families—perhaps especially so in these past many months of pandemic isolation—they bring us joy, and are a kind of blessing themselves.”
The service will feature short readings and an individual blessing for each animal in attendance. Stuffed animals are also welcome to be blessed, as are photographs of pets who would not find attending the live event a blessed experience!
Free-will donations will be collected to benefit the Franklin County Animal Shelter.
There will be special events each month as part of the ongoing centennial celebrations. The next scheduled event is on Tuesday, November 2: A Community Requiem Mass for All the Faithful Departed, at 6:00 p.m. To find out details about these and other planned events, visit their website www.goodshepherdrangeley.org or Facebook Page: Good Shepherd Church Rangeley Maine, or call the church office at 207-864-3381.
The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd is located at 2614 Main Street, Rangeley, Maine. They offer regular Sunday worship at 7:30 and 9:30 a.m.
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