Vicar’s Message

Blessings everyone, on Sunday we will celebrate the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi. On this special day you are encouraged to bring secured (leash, crate, carrier, cage) live creatures who would be comfortable during the service, into the church. You are also welcome to bring photographs of beloved pets, stuffed animals, and to wear an animal shirt or costume. After the indoor part of the service, worship will continue with a blessing of the animals in the church yard so that more energetic pets and passers-by and from the park can join us.
When most folks head in for coffee there will be a quieter moment to give thanks for the lives of beloved pets and other animals who have died in the past year or that we are particularly grieving.

If for whatever reason, having animal in the church makes in-person worship a less safe and welcoming place for you, Sunday September 28 would be a good Sunday to join worship online.

I think you might enjoy a favorite poem of mine about St. Francis by Daniel Ladinsky along with a photo of a Red Squirrel who attended a Salal + Cedar eucharist.

I once spoke to my friend, an old squirrel, about the Sacraments –
he got so excited
and ran into a hollow in his tree and came
back holding some acorns,
an owl feather,
and a ribbon he had found.
And I just smiled and said, “Yes, dear,
you understand:
everything imparts
His grace.”