Blessing of animals unleashes 'Woof 'n' Worship' services

Pilgrim Congregational Church in North Weymouth welcomes dogs

By Maureen Walsh

Church-goers are often encouraged to bring a friend to Sunday services, but a church in North Weymouth invites them to bring "man's best friend" to a weekly service for families and their dogs.

The Pilgrim Congregational Church UCC on Athens Street unleased its Sunday "Woof 'n' Worship" services on Oct. 5, following a Pet Expo from noon to 5 p.m. on the church grounds and a Blessing of the Animals.

All creatures great and small were invited to gather with their owners for the Pet Expo and the blessing, and dog owners were encouraged to return with their pets for a contemporary Christian service every Sunday at 5 p.m.

Exhibitors at the Pet Expo included several Animal Rescue groups, pet nutritionists and trainers, pet boutiques and a hedgehog breeder, said the Reverend Rachel Bickford, pastor. The "Woof 'n' Worship" services may also include a monthly seminar on dog nutrition, training and other topics for dog owners. It will also feature contemporary Christian music accompanied by guitar and piano and perhaps a Christian rock band someday, the pastor said.

"We'll enjoy giving God praise, sing wonderful songs and enjoy fellowship time together. We hope to bring people into community with each other, perhaps arrange doggie play-dates."

Medical studies have shown how having pets can lower their owners' blood pressure and elevate their moods, she said. "I've seen a lot of dogs doing pet therapy. I bring my youngest dog on nursing home visits with me."

"God has really blessed us with these animals who give us unconditional love and support," she said. "People are missing a lot of joy in life these days. We hope to bring them together in the love of animals to be able to find peace in their lives."

The Rev. Bickford, her husband Peter, and their eight-year-old daughter Emma share their home with a menagerie that includes two cockapoo dogs, Tugger and Indy, Pebbles the cat, and Buddy the guinea pig. The idea to include animals in church services came to her, she said, while she was reading the Scriptures.

"Psalm 150 says, 'Praise the Lord! Let everything that breathes praise the Lord!' and in Psalm 148, it says 'Let all wild animals and creeping things and flying birds give God praise.'"

"My dogs were actually in the room with me, and I thought it would be so wonderful for families to be able to bring dogs to worship," the Rev. Bickford said. "This is definitely a dog community. I know a lot of families who love their dogs and bring them to the dog parks together."

She shared the idea with members of her congregation, who supported the concept of a weekly "Woof 'n' Worship" service.

"Everyone thought it was absolutely crazy and fantastic at the same time," she said. Although she would love to be able to have cats and all kinds of other pets included, the weekly service at this point is just for dogs. The dogs must be leashed at all times and owners should use their common sense in deciding if their pet is ready for such a gathering.

"Dog folks are good folks and they know their animals," she said.

This story was originally published September 25, 2008, in the Weymouth News, 165 Enterprise Drive, Marshfield, MA 02050. Reprinted with permission.

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