Tomassina Silvagni

Bringing OC to LT

<p>KINGSTON &#8212; Grace Episcopal Church is inviting adults, children and animals of all faiths to their place of worship at 30 Butler Street for a blessing of the animals on Sunday, Oct. 4 at 10 a.m.</p><p>In the traditional of St. Francis of Assisi, patron saint animals and lover of all creation, Grace Episcopal will recognize the unconditional love, devotion and companionship of pets by offering a blessing for them. There will also be a service of the Holy Eucharist for humans in attendance.</p><p>The event is being described as a day for all creatures &#8212; great and small &#8212; to receive God&#8217;s blessing. The service will be held inside the church adn will be followed by a complimentary picnic lunch on teh lawn.</p><p>The service is free and open to the public. All are invited to bring their &#8220;family members&#8221; for a blessing.</p><p>&#8220;At Grace we open the nave up, and all sorts of God&#8217;s creatures come in through our big red doors,&#8221; said Father John Hartman. &#8220;We have donkeys, duck, chickens along with dogs, cats and birds. Last year more than 100 pets and companion animals came to Grace for the annual blessing.&#8221;</p><p>While all animals are welcome, it is asked that exotic animals be caged.</p><style>
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<div class="neCaption">Pets of all types will be blessed on Sunday, Oct. 4 at Grace Episcopal Church in Kingston. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/web1_DogandCat1.jpg</photo0><caption0>Pets of all types will be blessed on Sunday, Oct. 4 at Grace Episcopal Church in Kingston. </caption0><photoCredit0>Photo courtesy of Roger H. Goun </photoCredit0></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>Times Leader staff reports</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach Matt Mattei at 570-991-6651 or <a href="mailto:mmattei@www.timesleader.com">mmattei@www.timesleader.com</a></p></shirttailMeta></div>

Grace Episcopal Church in Kingston to hold blessing of the animals