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The Blessing of the Animals
In the tradition of St. Francis of Assisi, some of our congregations offer special services where people are invited to bring their animal companions for a special blessing.
Donations to help animals in our communities: Most of these events are encouraging people to bring items or give offerings that will be used for the welfare of animals, including local shelters. If you plan to attend, please check with the individual congregations to see how you can help.
Pet safety: Many churches request that pets be on a leash or in a crate or carrier, please.
2019 Services
Wednesday, October 2
All Saints, Hilton Head Island: 5:45 pm, 3001 Meeting Street, Hilton Head Island, SC 29926
Everyone is welcome, and so are all cats, dogs, birds, bunnies, hamsters, horses, etc. The blessing will be followed by light refreshments for all two- and four-footed attendees.
Saturday, October 5
Good Shepherd, Summerville: 10 am, 119-B W. Luke Avenue, Summerville, SC 29483
Pets will be blessed by Fr. Mike. There will also be a collection box for donations to Dorchester PAWS. Learn more about suggested donations at dorchesterpaws.org/inkind (rain date: Sat., Oct 12).
Holy Communion, Charleston: 10 am, 218 Ashley Avenue, Charleston, SC 29403
All are welcome!
Sunday, October 6
Episcopal Church on Edisto: 2 pm, 1644 Highway 174, Edisto Island, SC
Service will be held in the side yard of the church. Come with or without a pet!
Grace Church Cathedral, Charleston: 4 pm, 98 Wentworth Street, Charleston, SC 29401
All critters (including stuffed animals) and their owners are invited to attend.
Holy Cross Faith Memorial, Pawleys Island: 5 pm, 88 Baskerville Drive, Pawleys Island, SC 29585
All are welcome. Weather permitting, the service will take place in Miss Ruby's Garden. Alternate location will be the parish house.
St. Mark's, Port Royal: 3 pm, 1004 11th St., Port Royal, SC 29935
All creatures great and small are invited to meet on the lawn next to the Center. There'll be treats for animals and humans. All are welcome.
St. Stephen's Charleston: 2 pm, 67 Anson Street, Charleston, SC 29401
Service will be held in St. Stephen's Garden. All pets and people are welcome. Pets will receive collar medallions and certificates. Treats available. The St. Stephen’s Choir will sing "All Things Bright and Beautiful." Refreshments will be served.
(Also, at the 11 am service that day, St. Stephen's invites children to bring their stuffed animals for a "Feast of St. Francis Stuffed Animal Blessing.")
Sunday, October 13
St. Catherine’s, Florence: 2 pm, 3123 W. Palmetto Street, Florence, SC
In this joint service with Cross & Crown Lutheran Church, Pastor Steve and Fr. Phil will preside over the service. Donations will be accepted for the Darlington Humane Society.
Sunday, October 20
Episcopal Church in Okatie, 10 am, 231 Hazzard Creek Village, Suite 1, Ridgeland, SC 29936
All creatures are welcome to join the Sunday morning service where Fr. Bill Watson will offer a blessing.
Pet safety: Many churches request that pets be on a leash or in a crate or carrier, please.
2019 Services
Wednesday, October 2
All Saints, Hilton Head Island: 5:45 pm, 3001 Meeting Street, Hilton Head Island, SC 29926
Everyone is welcome, and so are all cats, dogs, birds, bunnies, hamsters, horses, etc. The blessing will be followed by light refreshments for all two- and four-footed attendees.
Saturday, October 5
Good Shepherd, Summerville: 10 am, 119-B W. Luke Avenue, Summerville, SC 29483
Pets will be blessed by Fr. Mike. There will also be a collection box for donations to Dorchester PAWS. Learn more about suggested donations at dorchesterpaws.org/inkind (rain date: Sat., Oct 12).
Holy Communion, Charleston: 10 am, 218 Ashley Avenue, Charleston, SC 29403
All are welcome!
Sunday, October 6
Episcopal Church on Edisto: 2 pm, 1644 Highway 174, Edisto Island, SC
Service will be held in the side yard of the church. Come with or without a pet!
Grace Church Cathedral, Charleston: 4 pm, 98 Wentworth Street, Charleston, SC 29401
All critters (including stuffed animals) and their owners are invited to attend.
Holy Cross Faith Memorial, Pawleys Island: 5 pm, 88 Baskerville Drive, Pawleys Island, SC 29585
All are welcome. Weather permitting, the service will take place in Miss Ruby's Garden. Alternate location will be the parish house.
St. Mark's, Port Royal: 3 pm, 1004 11th St., Port Royal, SC 29935
All creatures great and small are invited to meet on the lawn next to the Center. There'll be treats for animals and humans. All are welcome.
St. Stephen's Charleston: 2 pm, 67 Anson Street, Charleston, SC 29401
Service will be held in St. Stephen's Garden. All pets and people are welcome. Pets will receive collar medallions and certificates. Treats available. The St. Stephen’s Choir will sing "All Things Bright and Beautiful." Refreshments will be served.
(Also, at the 11 am service that day, St. Stephen's invites children to bring their stuffed animals for a "Feast of St. Francis Stuffed Animal Blessing.")
Sunday, October 13
St. Catherine’s, Florence: 2 pm, 3123 W. Palmetto Street, Florence, SC
In this joint service with Cross & Crown Lutheran Church, Pastor Steve and Fr. Phil will preside over the service. Donations will be accepted for the Darlington Humane Society.
Sunday, October 20
Episcopal Church in Okatie, 10 am, 231 Hazzard Creek Village, Suite 1, Ridgeland, SC 29936
All creatures are welcome to join the Sunday morning service where Fr. Bill Watson will offer a blessing.
Looking for resources for planning a pet blessing?
Check this page from the Episcopal Church Foundation.
Check this page from the Episcopal Church Foundation.