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Blessing of the Animals 2021

Sunday, October 3, between 11:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.

Rooted in Saint Francis of Assisi’s love for all creatures and our love, care, and concern for our non-human animal friends and companions, the Children’s Ministry of Danville Congregational Church invites the community to a “Blessing of the Animals” on Sunday, October 3. Pets of all kinds—puppies, bunnies, birdies, and kitties who wouldn’t be freaked out—are welcome to accompany their human friends to receive a blessing from one of our pastors following worship, between 11:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. And our young friends are welcome to draw a picture of their pet for our Blessing Board and take home a special memento.

DCC in recent July 4 “Streaming Parade”

DCC was one of the entries featured in the 2020 Kiwanis Club of San Ramon Valley July 4 Streaming Parade. You can watch our entry here.

Thanks to Chris Rauen for coordinating and creating our entry in the parade!

Oração Pelos Jovens (Prayer for Young People)

The Pastoral Prayer for Sunday, May 17, included the Prayer for Young People by Luiz Carlos Ramos, translated by Paulo Gustavo França.


God, we thank you
for the young people we have now and for the young people we once were;
for the youth we see now and for youth we once had;
for the young [people] in our midst and for the young [person] that still lives within each of us.

We thank you
for the ongoing transformation of the world the youth foster
and for the constant transformation you cause in the life of each youth.

God who makes all things new,
keep these young people from conforming to this present age;
that they may not be formed by the media, by today’s trends or bad habits;
but that they may be transformed by the renewing of the mind
and by the gift of their bodies as a living offering, holy and pleasing to you.

That these young men and women may not be merely happy, but joyful;
that they may not be only healthy, but mindful;
that they may not be just strong, but open-minded;
that they may not be only intelligent, but that they may become wise;
that they may not be youthful in their look, but in their essence;
in a word, that they may not be the child of this present culture,
but [children] of the Living God,
so they may embody the Love,
work for Peace,
and may practice Justice.

We pray
in the name of Jesus Christ,
the young person who not only revolutionized the world with his ideas, but also saved humankind with his love.

Amen


Photo by Nooralbdeen Ahmad

The Felton’s Easter Egg Hunt Egg Casserole

Though we can’t all be together for our traditional Easter Egg Hunt at the Felton’s, Bette wanted to share the recipe for the main dish of the brunch we would share in so, she shared, “we can vicariously and separately share the casserole.”

Enjoy!

DCC Easter Egg Hunt Casserole recipe

Blessing of the Animals, September 22 at noon

As we learned during our recent Peace Village Camp, St. Francis of Assisi (c. 1181) abandoned a life of luxury for a life devoted to Christianity after reportedly hearing the voice of God, who commanded him to rebuild the Christian church and live in poverty. During his life he also developed a deep love of nature and animals and is known as the patron saint of the environment and animals; his life and words have had a lasting resonance with millions of followers across the globe. St. Francis set an example for us someone who cares for others—including nature and our non-human animal friends and companions. Each October, many animals the world over are blessed on his feast day.

And so this year, we want to offer a Blessing of the Animals ceremony to our community—here at DCC and beyond—as a way of honoring animal companions and their special place in our lives. Because we will be at Camp Caz the weekend adjacent to The Feast Day of St. Francis on October 4, we will hold this blessing on Sunday, September 22 at noon here on the church grounds. More information will be available in coming weeks.