When Diane Howard goes out of the house into her family’s yard each morning, Blanche the chicken happily comes running to plop in her lap.
In fact, Blanche even occasionally comes and pecks on one of the house’s windows to get treats or attention. Clearly, she knows she is part of the family.
Pastor Howard Boles, Diane’s husband and just as big of a critter-crazed person, is the leader of First United Methodist Church at 618 Eighth St. in downtown Columbus. A brief Blessing of the Animals service will unfold there on the lawn for all wishing to attend at 10 a.m. today, rain or shine.
The clergyman, with a dog, cat, gecko and turtle also residing at the family place, seems the perfect pick to direct such a brief service.
“We probably underestimate the significance of our pets in our everyday lives,” Boles said. “They are the constant companion, the one who is there to greet you many times right when you come home from work. Or if you’re having a bad day, they’ll come up and be sitting there on your lap.”
The service, which draws believers from other Christian churches and people with no affiliation at all, marks the Monday feast day and day of death of St. Francis of Assisi (who technically died near midnight Oct. 3, 1226). From his writings, he is believed to have been a great lover of animals and their impact.
In fact, the pastor used a Francis quote in a recent message: “A cat purring on your lap is more healing than any drug in the world, as the vibrations you are receiving are of pure love and contentment.”
Others throughout history have heralded animals’ character and allegiance.
French statesman Charles de Gaulle once quipped, “The better I get to know men, the more I find myself loving dogs.”
St. Bartholomew Catholic Church in Columbus used to regularly host a Blessing of the Animals service. The Rev. Clem Davis, senior associate pastor at St. Bartholomew, once was told a few years ago that a dog waiting to be blessed at one of his services nearly ate a gerbil that was also waiting for a blessing. Davis also has blessed animals at the Bartholomew County Humane Society and also at Camp Atterbury.
The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Columbus also has hosted such gatherings. Former Unitarian pastor Dennis McCarty used to even present service attendees a certificate making their beautiful beasts an honorary church member.
Last year at First United Methodist, 22 people and 14 animals attended, including Cece, Dan Fleming’s 30-year-old quarter horse. All the leashed or restrained critters coexisted peacefully, with several even touching noses or trading a friendly lick or two.
The Rev. Sarah Campbell, First United Methodist Church’s associate pastor, confessed at the end of last year’s service that animals minister in a very real and practical way.
“I was having a rough day yesterday,” Campbell said. “And my kitten (Indie) just snuggled up on my lap. And it made everything better.”
