Attendees of the Broadway United Methodist Church’s inaugural Blessing of the Animals event, a ceremony where community members could bring their pets to be blessed by ministers, bring their furry loved ones to be blessed behind the church on Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2023. The nationwide event, which is held in honor of Saint Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals, provides an opportunity for animal-lovers to give thanks for the blessing of the pets in their lives on the day of the Feast of St. Francis and World Animal Day. (Grace Ramey/grace.ramey@bgdailynews.com)

They say all dogs go to Heaven, but an extra blessing can’t hurt.

Broadway United Methodist Church held its first Blessing of the Animals event on Wednesday, coinciding with similar celebrations around the globe.

Dozens came out to UMC to hear prayers as church leaders placed their hands on the heads of each pet and said a blessing. Some brought photos of pets they’d lost in the hopes of honoring their memory.

“This has been around since the 13th century, this tradition with St. Francis who is the patron saint of animals,” worship minister Ellen Murrey-Lockhardt said. “Hopefully, people will make some new connections, make some new friends and definitely get to pet some cute animals.”

The Feast of St. Francis of Assisi and World Animal Day are both held Oct. 4 each year to honor animal rights and remember the furry friends who support us.

St. Francis was born in the 12th century in Italy and garnered thousands of followers with his sermons exploring “evangelical poverty” and the importance of respecting nature and animals.

Stories say Francis would preach to birds and call animals “brothers” and “sisters” during his teachings. He was canonized soon after his death in 1226 and remains a respected figure even outside the Catholic Church.

Murrey-Lockhardt said they chose to make the event as non-denominational as possible in order to attract more than those within their congregation.

“I know that there are a lot of people out there who don’t feel comfortable in a church and don’t feel like they would be welcome or safe in a church, and we get that,” Murrey-Lockhardt said. “(The event is) outside, it involves animals and we hoped that this might be just a little bit less intimidating of an experience.”

Judy Kem, a member of the church, chauffeured for her two Shi Tsu-Poodle mixes, Louis and Charlie, who bounced excitedly around their dog stroller.

Kem grew up in Bowling Green and recently returned after retiring. Like any proud mother, she made sure her babies were gussied up for church.

“I groomed and bathed them today so that they would show off really nice, and they’re pretty excited,” Kem said. “They have never seen this many dogs.”

She said it’s sweet to see the church put something like this on, giving her a chance to connect with others and show some appreciation for her pets.

“I think Jesus loved children, and I think he also loved animals,” Kem said. “They’re very innocent and they add a lot to your life. I get a lot more out of them than they get out of me, so I get it.”

Pastor Joe Patterson said events like this, though simple and fun, help “ground us to the circle of life” and remind us of God’s love of all living things.

“It’s taking the opportunity to look at nature, taking a break from the fray and all the white noise to just recognize God’s creativity and possibilities in everything going on around us,” Patterson said. “These pets are part of that.”

Patterson said the COVID-19 pandemic was a reminder for many how impactful pets can be in our lives, supporting us in hard times in similar ways to one’s faith.

He said one of the church’s core missions is to connect and welcome the community as a whole, even beyond fellow Methodists.

“All are welcome, and if anyone’s looking to connect to God and connect to the community and to help the faith community, then we would love to have you here,” he said.