Another year has flown by and Hayton is preparing to celebrate the animal world once again. St Peter’s Church annually invites the congregation to bring their animals into church for the Pet’s Service. This is a celebration of all animals – pets, wild, farmed, and rescued – and a chance to pray for the rescues, farmers, and owners who care for them.
Over the years, the service has welcomed horses, rabbits, ferrets, guinea pigs, hamsters, hives of bees, birds, and dozens of cats and dogs. It is a good service to bring children to – informal, full of fun and songs, but also with some tender moments. The animals often join in with the occasional ‘woof’ or ‘miaow’.
At the end of the service, Rev’d Mark Cantrill will give each animal an individual blessing while everyone enjoys homemade cakes with tea, coffee, or fruit juice. There will also be biscuits and bowls of water for the animals. Several local animal charities will have stalls outside, selling items and providing information about their work. It is always a really pleasant afternoon.
The service this year is on Sunday 21st September. Stalls will be open from 3.30pm and the service starts at 4.00pm. It is hoped there will be plenty of children, pets, and their owners for this special day.