The evening of Sunday July 6th was warm and sunny.   As 6 o'clock approached a variety of dogs, cats in baskets and two tortoise were to be seen arriving in the churchyard of All Saints' Parish Church in Feering.   They and their proud owners had come to take part in 'A Service of Thanksgiving for the Animal Kingdom' to be conducted by Father David Reynish.

As we were blessed with a fine evening the service could be held outdoors on the grassy area close by the church door.   The Church wardens and helpers had worked hard to provide for the comfort of their human guests - chairs had been arranged, suitably spaced to allow participation without too much fraternisation of the animal visitors.   Even a keyboard instrument to be played by Mr. Desmond Wood had been brought outside to accompany the singing.   Father David conducted the service from behind a table surmounted by a crucifix and a fine stone Griffin.

It was a truly idyllic scene, with a good attendance of parishioners contentedly seated on the grass against a backdrop of the fine old village church and with a positively motley crew of animals surrounding them.   After a brief period of establishing the nature of their neighbours all the animals settled down and were very well behaved during the service.
 

We sang a number of familiar and appropriate hymns, the lessons were read by the church wardens and Father David gave an address in which he reminded us of the significant roles played by animals in the Bible.

These he illustrated with drawings done by his artist wife and daughter of the Four Living Creatures - symbols of the Evangelists which are mentioned in the Revelation.

We sang a number of familiar and appropriate hymns, the lessons were read by the church wardens and Father David gave an address in which he reminded us of the significant roles played by animals in the Bible.

These he illustrated with drawings done by his artist wife and daughter of the Four Living Creatures - symbols of the Evangelists which are mentioned in the Revelation.
 

We sang a number of familiar and appropriate hymns, the lessons were read by the church wardens and Father David gave an address in which he reminded us of the significant roles played by animals in the Bible.

These he illustrated with drawings done by his artist wife and daughter of the Four Living Creatures - symbols of the Evangelists which are mentioned in the Revelation.

Then all the animals present were invited up in an orderly line to receive an individual blessing given to them by name.   After which we joined in a concluding hymn and prayer before departing homewards.   I don't think that Gray in his 'Elegy in a Country Churchyard' could have painted a happier scene than was to be witnessed that evening.

Those of us fortunate enough to take part would wish to express our gratitude to Father David and all the others who organised such a happy and joyful occasion for ourselves and our pets.

Thank you all.