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God was the first animal lover, and they say Jesus was the first animal rights activist. John Wesley, the Father of Methodism, was also an animal rights activist. Many of us love animals and advocate for them, too. That’s why we have companion animals. Well, on Saturday, October 18, 2025, wouldn’t you love to have your beloved companion blessed by God? Pastor Dave and Patricia Friel will be bestowing the blessings on all small animals present in an Animal Blessing Ceremony in the NUMC Shelter House/Pavilion from 11:00 to noon (or later if there are a lot of animals). This will be a celebration of our human-animal relationships with hymns, Scripture readings, prayers, individual blessings per pet and owner, a remembrance of deceased pets, plus an offering for Dayton’s oldest and most established animal organization.

An offering of monetary donations will be collected for the Humane Society of Greater Dayton (HSGD), the oldest and most established no-kill shelter in the area. It is the only organization in the Miami Valley that helps all types of animals: dogs, cats, rabbits, birds, exotics, and other small animals, farm animals, and more. However, they run solely by donations. You can be assured that HSGD personnel are good stewardsf all donations and gifts, given they are rated in the top 4 percent nationally as a 4-star nonprofit organization through Charity Navigator, a national watchdog group; they also received the highest rating possible from GuideStar; and, in 2017, they received the BBB Eclipse Integrity Award for their impact on our community.

Small animals of all kinds are welcome! Please be sure all animals are secured—either harnessed on a leash or placed in a cage, for example. In addition, please remember to bring your pooper-scoopers and pick-up bags, plus water bowls, water, and treats for your pets. If anyone would like a large animal blessing, please reach out to Patricia to arrange for her to travel to you and your pet, since we aren’t equipped to take on horses, donkeys, cows, and so on at the church. This will be a special day, honoring God’s creation and celebrating our commitment to loyally love and protect the companion animals entrusted to our care.