Church of the Ascension and Greenpoint Williamsburg Mission in cooperation with Unleash: Brooklyn & Dog Habitat Rescue invite you celebrate your beloved animal on October 3rd at 4pm at the Church of the Ascension. There will also be a service of remembrance for beloved animals no longer with us. If you would like the name of your deceased animal read during the service, please send an email to [email protected] or call 718.389.3831.
Blessing of Animals and Remembrance – Sunday, October 3, 2010 at 4pm
This St. Francis day, October 3, at 4 p.m. we will be holding an Animal Blessing and Remembrance service at the Church of the Ascension (127 Kent St between Franklin St and Manhattan Ave). It is a wonderful service for two reasons.
First, animals bless us every day with their presence, their unconditional love and a communication that exceeds anything words could ever convey. Those of us who love animals, who live with them daily, feel as deeply toward them as we do toward humans (sometimes more deeply). On this day we gather to bless them, and ask for their health and joy in the coming year. In addition, we will be having a remembrance of those animals we love that have died. Losing an animal and the lack of closure or ritual around it is very hard for many of us left behind. We hope that the solemn reading of their names during the service affords some sense of healing and shared mourning over these losses.
Beginning at 3:30 there will be a processional of rescue dogs from Dog
Habitat Rescue. If you would like to join the parade we will be meeting at co-sponsor Unleash: Brooklyn (216 Franklin St between Huron and Green St) with the whole array of animals for a solemn, yet noisy procession (incense included) to the church – New Orleans style! If you prefer, you can meet at the church at 4 p.m.
There will be tables outside the church to bring awareness to animal rescue concerns and rights issues. All are welcome – cats, dogs and all creatures great and small – inside the chapel for the service. At the conclusion of the service there will be a reception in both the back yard and front of the church replete with animal and human refreshments. Wine generously supplied by Lily from Dandelion Wine and her dog, Bonita (the cattle dog). The event is also sponsored by District Dog.
Dogs must be on leash. Cats, rodents and other animals must be in carriers. Teddy bears may roam freely if accompanied by a child.