Bruce Wayne made a guest appearance at church Sunday morning after a call went out that he was wanted for special recognition.
Walking in with Kristine Schnebly Lawhorn, the local pup with a famous name soon became one of the stars of the service along with other pets, ranging from a miniature dachshund to a bulldog to a bearded dragon.
Eudora United Methodist Church held its Blessing of the Animals service Sunday morning in the church’s parking lot.
Churchgoers were encouraged to bring their pets to the service and bring a variety of donations — including treats, food, water bowls and toys — for the Lawrence Humane Society.
The pets received a blessing from the Rev. Ross Baker during the service and their owners received a certificate with Baker’s signature as a memento for the blessing.
Baker would bless the pet by placing his hands on them and wishing them love from their families and everyone around them, and long, happy life.
If their pet could not attend, they were encouraged to bring a memento, such as a collar, to receive the blessing instead.
Lawhorn said the service is a fun alternative to regular worship.
“It’s a lot more laid back and fun,” she said. “The kids are always so excited to show off their pets. The best part, by far, is seeing the joy they get from showing off the pets they love.”
Baker, who has led this service for three years, said worshipping outside is a welcome change and a great way for attendees to appreciate the world around them.
“I love any opportunity to worship outdoors,” Baker said. “There’s something about the sounds of being outside for worship that brings a different perspective and aesthetic to worship. It ties everyone back to creation.”
Mike Keltner, a frequent volunteer at the Lawrence Humane Society and a regular at the church, baked homemade dog treats to give to the dogs after they received their blessings.
Keltner said the missions of the church and the Lawrence Humane Society are closely related because they both preach care to all living things.
“It really comes down to just caring and being kind to others,” Keltner said. “Not just to humans, but to animals, too. All God’s creatures great and small, as the hymnal goes.”
Erin LeGrand sings during every Sunday service and said the service is a positive experience for everyone involved. One song, “I Just Wanna be a Sheep,” included dance moves and excited many of the children in attendance.
“From a musical standpoint, it’s positive for us because we get a ton of crowd participation since it’s much more casual,” LeGrand said. “It shows that we’re flexible and always looking for creative ways to worship.”
Reach reporter Jenna Barackman at [email protected]
