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Pet Blessing Reflection from Jemina
Our recent Pet Blessing was a beautiful experience, inspired by the teachings of Saint Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals. His love and respect for all living creatures remind us that every life has value, and caring for our pets is a way of showing gratitude for the love and joy they bring into our lives. On this day, we had the honor of blessing both dogs and a cat, celebrating the special bond we share with our furry companions.
For me, this event was more than just a gathering; it was a moment of reflection on my own journey as a pet parent. My pets have been a source of comfort through some of the most emotional times in my life, offering their companionship without judgment. Yet, I’ve often struggled with what it means to be a “good pet parent.” I’ve questioned whether I was doing enough or what their role in my life truly was. Over time, I’ve come to realize that their role is exactly what they’ve been doing all along—bringing love, presence, and calm into my life in ways I never expected.
As someone who never thought of myself as a “pet person,” it’s been surprising to find myself with five pets at home! But these animals have added so much life to our household, teaching me about care, patience, and responsibility. Our home feels fuller and more joyful because of them, and in nurturing them, I’ve learned the importance of caring for the living things around me—whether that’s pets, plants, or even the people we encounter every day. There’s something profoundly sacred in the act of tending to life, in providing love and support where it’s needed most.
What made the Pet Blessing truly special was the way it connected people. Whether they were locals or visitors passing through town for a 5k, we all shared something in common that day: a deep love for our animals. It was heartwarming to see how easily conversations flowed when we talked about our pets, and how quickly people opened up. In a world where it can be difficult to find common ground with strangers, our shared affection for our animals made those connections effortless.
Inspired by the spirit of Saint Francis, this event reaffirmed for me the importance of caring for all living creatures, big and small. Pets have a way of showing us what it means to love unconditionally and to find joy in the simplest things. As I reflect on the day, I’m grateful for the love my pets bring, the community we’ve built, and the blessings that come from tending to the lives around us.
St. Francis and Blessing Animals
Kindred in Christ,
Happy Feast Day of Saint Francis of Assisi! In honor of the-nature-loving saint many faith communities bless and celebrate pets, animals, and the environment during this season. I hope you will join us tomorrow for our own Pet Blessing and Costume Pawty event (more info below).
There is a famous painting, which you may have seen before depicting Saint Francis preaching to the birds. This is of course based on the stories and legends of him proclaiming God’s love to all of creation, and the creatures miraculously stopping to listen, and being captivated by his loving presence. Yet, in the modern depiction above, artist Kelly Latimore flips the script with his icon of “A Bird Preaches to Saint Francis.” I really appreciate this take. It is a subtle yet significant difference!
Much of what I appreciate about Saint Francis is that he invites us to share in a spirituality of slowing down and paying attention to creatures. Francis considered all creation his siblings in God, and as such he encounters the Divine presence in “Brother Sun”, “Sister Moon”, “Brother Wolf”, and even “Sister Death.”
Join us Saturday for the Pet Blessing and Costume Pawty and join us Sunday as we continue in our series For the Beauty of the Earth. We will reflect further on the life of the hippie saint, and celebrate World Communion Sunday!
And in the meantime, may you find times to slow down, and listen deeply to the sermons of our siblings the birds and other creatures:
“Best of any song
is the bird song
in the quiet, but first
you must have the quiet”
–Wendell Berry
‘A Timbered Choir’
Alongside you,
Rev. Paul Ortiz
Autumn and Incarnation
Kindred in Christ,
I hope you are enjoying the welcome of the autumn season as much as I am. The changing of the leaves and the brilliant fall colors filling our Seattle landscapes invite us to pause and remember the beauty and sacredness of creation. Fall always feels like a season of homecoming. Our children return to school, our summer travels come to an end, our church attendance increases, and we fall back into the rhythms that give us grounding and a sense stability. And as we gather the harvest of the season, we are also re-invited into a sense of grounded-ness in our mother earth.
As a follower of Jesus, I find it significant that in some beautiful and mysterious way, Christ became human, and shared something in common with all creation. With the plant, Christ shares life, with the animals, Christ shares sensation, with the stone Christ shares substance, and on and on. Christ reveals our own human interconnection and interdependence with all the earth, if we have eyes to see it, and hearts to embrace it.
As we continue in our autumn series, For the Beauty of the Earth, may we make time for connecting with our sibling creation and remember that we cannot ignore the world and still try to love God. Rather, we must love God through, in, with, and, even because of this world. For this is how God’s love comes to us through the incarnate Christ.
And to help open our hearts fuller to the beauty and mystery of the season, I invite you to meditate on the prayer below by Mirabai Starr, from her book St. Francis: Brother of Creation (Contemplations & Living Wisdom):
Dear God,
You created the world
to serve our needs
and to lead us to you.
Through our own unconsciousness
we have lost the beautiful relationship
we once had with the rest of creation.
Help us to see
that by restoring our relationship with you
we will also renew our connection with all your creation.
Give us the grace to see
all animals as gifts from you
and to treat them with respect,
for they are your creation.
We pray for all animals
who are suffering
as a result of our neglect.
May the order you originally established
be once again restored
to the whole world. . .
Amen.
Alongside you,
Rev. Paul Ortiz
For the Beauty of the Earth
Kindred in Christ,
I find it significant that Jesus’ parables and teachings seem to be based on human, animal, and nature observations, and not classroom theology. If we pay attention in the gospel accounts, Jesus is inviting us to focus on the wildflowers, the red sky, a hen, the fig tree, a donkey caught in a pit, the birds of the air, the grass in the field, the temple animals he released from their cages, and on and on. He carefully reflects upon the seemingly “nonreligious” natural world and invites us to encounter God in the beauty of the earth. It also appears that Jesus did most of his ministry outdoors.
During the coming of the autumn season, as the leaves begin to collect on the ground in stunning purple and orange colors, I find it easier to be mindful of Jesus’ invitation to pause and notice creation, and to remember that everything created is a reflection of God. This invitation helps me move away from seeing nature as secular or merely functional, which has created much of the loneliness and seeming meaninglessness in our modern world.
Join us this coming Sunday as we start our new series For the Beauty of the Earth. We will reflect further on the type of spirituality Jesus offers, which is not dependent upon a belief system or religious affiliation, and almost entirely upon our capacity for simple presence and encounter with God in creation.
Alongside you,
Rev. Paul Ortiz
A Great Time at Camp!
Hi, Jemina here!
Reflecting on this weekend’s camp, I’m overwhelmed with gratitude and joy. 🌟 From my first desire to experience this camp with our church to now, my life has transformed in many ways. It was a delightful surprise to see so many join this adventure, especially with the International Kite Festival adding such a vibrant touch!
A big thank you to everyone who joined me on this journey. Camp was filled with delightful surprises, from zip-lining and bears to flying kites and enjoying delicious lemon pie. We created lasting memories together. As we enter this season of discerning our church’s future, I’m grateful for the meaningful moments we shared away from our usual routine.
I hope that this experience marks the beginning of many more adventures where we continue to explore new horizons together. Check out the album for more pictures from our trip HERE.
Jemina Marasigan