Faith & Spirituality

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5i7tADnxuR79MJPcf7h0C8jxGSMGQD9BONI100?index=5

from the article:

"Gone to the dogs: LA church starts pet service

By GILLIAN FLACCUS (AP) – 3 hours ago

LOS ANGELES — When the Rev. Tom Eggebeen took over as interim pastor at Covenant Presbyterian Church three years ago, he looked around and knew it needed a jump start.

Most of his worshippers, though devoted, were in their 60s, attendance had bottomed out and the once-vibrant church was fading as a community touchstone in its bustling neighborhood.

So Eggebeen came up with a hair-raising idea: He would turn God's house into a doghouse by offering a 30-minute service complete with individual doggie beds, canine prayers and an offering of dog treats. He hopes it will reinvigorate the church's connection with the community, provide solace to elderly members and, possibly, attract new worshippers who are as crazy about God as they are about their four-legged friends.

Before the first Canines at Covenant service last Sunday, Eggebeen said many Christians love their pets as much as human family members and grieve just as deeply when they suffer — but churches have been slow to recognize that love as the work of God.

"The Bible says of God only two things in terms of an 'is': That God is light and God is love. And wherever there's love, there's God in some fashion," said Eggebeen, himself a dog lover. "And when we love a dog and a dog loves us, that's a part of God and God is a part of that. So we honor that."

The weekly dog service at Covenant Presbyterian is part of a growing trend among churches nationwide to address the spirituality of pets and the deeply felt bonds that owners form with their animals.

Traditionally, conventional Christians believe that only humans have redeemable souls, said Laura Hobgood-Oster, a religion professor at Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas.

But a growing number of congregations from Massachusetts to Texas to California are challenging that assertion with regular pet blessings and, increasingly, pet-centric services, said Hobgood-Oster, who studies the role of animals in Christian tradition."

(article continues...)

Blessings,
Gypsy
)O(




"What is life? It is the flash of a firefly in the night.
It is the breath of a buffalo in the wintertime.
It is the little shadow which runs across the grass
and loses itself in the sunset.

- Crowfoot, Blackfoot warrior and orator






Mika Dog

"All things share the same breath;
the beast, the tree, the man.
The Air shares its spirit with
all the life it supports."
--Chief Seattle

"If there are no dogs in Heaven,
then when I die I want to go where they went."
~Will Rogers

"The greatness of a nation and its moral progress
can be judged by the way its animals are treated."
~~Mahatma Gandhi

ACK! <:O I can imagine the possible chaos that could result, too. LOL! <:P Dogs *can* be trained well enough, as they are now, to be allowed in outdoor eating areas of restaurants, in motel/hotel rooms, in post offices, video rental stores, and so on, in many cities. The major key is training. So I guess, why not church/temple/ritual service? Trouble is, many people *don't* train their dogs properly... <:-\ For me, personally, whether I am conducting or just a participant in a Sabbat ritual with my Circle, I would prefer to fully concentrate and not have to supervise my dog. After all, I am there to focus on worshiping the Lady and Lord. ;) As much as I love my Mika, I don't feel the need to take her everywhere with me. There are places I go, that would be inappropriate and she is much better off happily at home with her favorite toys and having naps. And I can properly concentrate on other things, knowing she is safe and content at home. :P

But, that's me. If others have the desire and opportunity to attend a special service designed around people bringing their dogs, to an alternative spiritual service offered specifically for them accompanied by their dogs, than I say "more power to them." Rules and expectations would need to be established so that the experience is a positive one: dogs properly trained, exercised and pottied *before* the 30 min. service, adequate space between dogs, etc. I just wouldn't do it. I am more selfish. I want full focus on ritual for myself. ;)

Blessings,
Gypsy
)O(




"What is life? It is the flash of a firefly in the night.
It is the breath of a buffalo in the wintertime.
It is the little shadow which runs across the grass
and loses itself in the sunset.

- Crowfoot, Blackfoot warrior and orator






Mika Dog

"All things share the same breath;
the beast, the tree, the man.
The Air shares its spirit with
all the life it supports."
--Chief Seattle

"If there are no dogs in Heaven,
then when I die I want to go where they went."
~Will Rogers

"The greatness of a nation and its moral progress
can be judged by the way its animals are treated."
~~Mahatma Gandhi

HA! This can be true, given dogs can be trained once past puppyhood more quickly. Takes longer for children. ;) However, many churches do accommodate children not ready for a full church service, providing nurseries and programs for too young children so that the children are doing age-appropriate activities so their parents can actually attend, worship and participate in their spiritual services more completely. Can't leave young children home alone, after all, like we can our dogs. ;) Many years ago when our DD was too young to attend a full blown church service, we placed her in the church nursery or the young children's program so we could attend service in peace and quiet. When she was older, began to know what was going on, could be respectful and quiet, she came to service with us. :)

I think this church service where one can bring their dog is just a novelty by a creative pastor trying to re-motivate people to come to his church. I don't think it's indicative of any kind of trend. :P

Blessings,
Gypsy
)O(




"What is life? It is the flash of a firefly in the night.
It is the breath of a buffalo in the wintertime.
It is the little shadow which runs across the grass
and loses itself in the sunset.

- Crowfoot, Blackfoot warrior and orator






Mika Dog

"All things share the same breath;
the beast, the tree, the man.
The Air shares its spirit with
all the life it supports."
--Chief Seattle

"If there are no dogs in Heaven,
then when I die I want to go where they went."
~Will Rogers

"The greatness of a nation and its moral progress
can be judged by the way its animals are treated."
~~Mahatma Gandhi