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Joyful barking? Pets join masters for blessing at Delavan church

Photo

Photo by Ann Marie Ames

The Rev. Bill Myrick of Christ Episcopal Church in Delavan blesses Lady, a 2-year-old golden retriever. A dozen dogs and cats were at church Sunday for the church’s annual pet blessing event.

Photo

Photo by Ann Marie Ames

Barb Gifford of Delavan holds the paw of her 2-year-old golden retriever, Lady. Lady was among the pets at Christ Episcopal Church’s annual pet blessing ceremonies in Delavan on Sunday morning. Many churches perform the ceremonies as part of the celebration of the feast of St. Francis of Assisi.

Photo

Photo by Ann Marie Ames

Tigger, a 13-week-old tortoise shell cat, fiercely attacks a shadow in a pew at Christ Episcopal Church. The kitten was one of many cats and dogs at the church’s pet blessing event.

DELAVAN — What better way to celebrate the feast of the patron saint of animals than with the sound of joyful barking ringing from the rafters?

Or the sound of claws clacking and scraping on the smooth church floor?

Or the squeak of a cat wondering who let all those dogs in church?

No better way at all.

Church services were a little wiggly and giggly Sunday morning at Christ Episcopal Church of Delavan, where parish members celebrated the feast of St. Francis of Assisi with pet blessing ceremonies—and were gently reminded to care for their human neighbors, as well.

St. Francis is known as the patron saint of animals and the environment. In his "Canticle of the Sun" he wrote that God is praised by all the creatures as well as Brother Sun, Sister Moon and brothers Wind, Air and Fire.

The feast day of St. Francis of Assisi is Tuesday.

At Christ Episcopal, dogs and cats sat—more or less—among parishioners in the small church at 503 E. Walworth Ave. near downtown Delavan. From time to time, black noses appeared above the backs of pews to the amusement of those sitting in the back of church.

One by one, the animals went with their owners to the front of the church to receive their blessing.

They included Lady, a 2-year-old golden retriever belonging to Barb and Jerry Gifford of Delavan. Lady has the patience of a saint with all 33 of the Giffords' grandchildren, Barb said.

Also among them was six-time pet blessing attendee Bingo, a therapy dog that attends church services every Wednesday at Willowfield Nursing Home in Delavan with owner Pat Leverick.

The Rev. Bill Myrick blessed each animal by name. For good measure, he also sprinkled a little holy water on any children who accompanied the pets to the front of the church for the blessing.

"Whew!" Myrick said, chuckling at the chaos of having a dozen dogs and cats in church. "This kind of shakes up our routine a little," he said. "Keeps us on our toes."

It was fun to have pets in church for a day, but Myrick's message Sunday was a serious one.

Myrick read the Gospel story about a rich man who plants a vineyard and leases it to tenants. When it is time to collect rent at harvest, the tenants kill the rich man's servants and son in an attempt to keep the profits.

The vineyard represents creation, Myrick said. It is not ours to own, but we must diligently care for it while we're here, he said.

That means the animals, the earth and all the people, Myrick said.

"On this day, we are called to reflect on our relationships with all of creation," Myrick said.

It's important to care for our pets, of course, but it's desperately important to care for the men, women and children in the world who are less fortunate, Myrick said.

Last week was the first of the season for the Walworth County Emergency Men's Shelter. The shelter rotates weekly among 10 churches in Walworth County. About 10 more churches donate supplies and other support.

The shelter functions because of the hard work of the participants, but much more help is needed, Myrick said. The thing the shelter needs the most is people to simply give their time to talk with the homeless men who live in the shelter, he said.

Shelter participants are not "dumb druggies," Myrick said. They are nothing more or less than Walworth County residents who don't have jobs.

"These people are not unique," Myrick said.

Myrick wants his parishioners and all Walworth County residents to care for shelter guests as generously as they care for their own families.

"Let's care for our little corner of the vineyard and do it well," Myrick said.

MEN'S SHELTER BY THE NUMBERS

20

The number of people the shelter can serve in one night. Last year, the highest number served was 19 in one night.

$90,000

The amount of housing assistance contributed to the community by the 14th Apostle, a service organization made up of local churches.

$5,000 to $6,000

The amount in the Christ Episcopal Church of Delavan's discretionary fund budgeted for emergency housing and medicine.

"That's just what I'll spend," the Rev. Bill Myrick said. "All the other churches will have similar amounts in their budgets."

TO LEARN MORE

The Walworth County Emergency Men's Shelter is sponsored by 10 churches around the county. Other churches donate supplies and other support. More help is always welcome.

For more information or to volunteer, call Deb Weber at (262) 215-3451.

For the shelter, call (262) 903-9276.

This week the shelter is at First Baptist Church, 212 Main St., Delavan.