A blessed day for cats, dogs and chickens

By Matthew Nash • October 18, 2023 1:30 am

Dogs, cats and even a chicken received recent blessings at Trinity United Methodist Church.

For the second year, the church at 100 S. Blake Ave., held a Blessing of the Animals ceremony on Oct. 8 in honor of St. Francis’ 800-plus-year-old tradition.

Pastor Desi Larson and church members led the blessing ceremony outside with prayer, reading of biblical scripture and songs, including a spirited tune with animal noises intertwined.

Deceased pets were also recognized with a prayer of remembrance.

Pets in attendance each received a blessing, a St. Francis medallion and some treats for humans and animals.

Mother and daughter Julie and Avonlea Lawrence of Sequim brought their cats Zoome and Penelope and dog Madison for a blessing, and they had their chicken Cinders blessed at home, too.

It was the first time they had their pets blessed before, they said.

“I was delighted when I heard they were doing it,” Julie said.

Avonlea said she wanted to bring her horse as well.

Larson said she started in the ministry 20 years ago at a church who had pet blessings and she fell in love with the tradition.

Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash/ Daughter-and-mother Avonlea and Julie Lawrence, on left, accept St. Francis medallions from Pastor Desi Larson, and JoAnn Sahs-Cavin after their cats, dog and chicken were blessed at Trinity United Methodist Church’s Blessing of the Animals ceremony.

Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash/ Sandy the dog, an English Shepherd owned by Judy Stevenfeldt, awaits a blessing at Trinity United Methodist Church. Stevenfeldt said it was their second time at the church’s annual blessing.

Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash

Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash/ Bobby Davis holds Ruby the dog during a song at Trinity United Methodist Church’s Blessing of the Animals ceremony.

Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash/ Pastor Desi Larson blesses Molly the dog as owner Laura Checkman holds her next to Joel Swenning and Molly the dog. Checkman said they’re new to the church and area as of this summer and it was their first time at a pet blessing.

Julie Lawrence, on left, with Madison the dog, watches Pastor Desi Larson bless her cats at Trinity United Methodist Church’s Blessing of the Animals ceremony.