October 7, 2014

Brides and Pet Blessings

The bride stood just a few feet away from where she sits on Sunday mornings.   

Two years ago, she cold-called the church, looking for a place to get married. The priest encouraged her to come on Sunday morning. Check out the church. See if it’s a place that you’d like to worship.   

She came to church the next Sunday and met a few folks. The music director happened to make an announcement, inviting people to join the choir. The young woman decided to try it, and she attended rehearsal the next week. Over the next two years, she found her place in the congregation, making friends in the choir. When she announced the wedding date, they took up a collection for a present.   

At the church the day after her wedding, the congregation hosted a pet blessing. The announcement had been posted on the outside church sign for a week, and people were encouraged to invite friends. As the menagerie gathered for the blessing, four people (and their dogs) from the community participated. They received blessings and Saint Francis medals for their pets and a warm welcome from members. I’m hoping they’ll be back.   

Even with all of the best church development initiatives, the best path to a vibrant and growing church is a personal invitation and gracious hospitality. Churches have different policies on whether or not to allow non-members to use the facility for weddings. And there are lots of good reasons on either side, I’m sure. But perhaps the most compelling reason to encourage prospective brides and grooms to check out the church is that they might stay. They might find a new community and a new or renewed faith.   

Our pet blessings and other events are opportunities to witness, to share our understanding that God cherishes all of creation. How are you opening your doors? How are you going out into the community, getting to know your neighbors and inviting people to experience the blessedness of a faith community? How are you being the face of God today?   

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