September 12, 2026 //

Observing the Feast of St. Francis and blessing the animals who share our lives has been an important part of St. Stephen’s traditions for decades. Each fall, parishioners have brought beloved pets of all shapes and sizes to church as we give thanks for the gift of creation and the creatures with whom we share it.

This year, we’re trying something new.

In recent years, we’ve seen a significant decline in attendance at our traditional 10:15 AM outdoor Blessing of the Animals service. We also know that bringing a pet to sit through an hour-long outdoor service isn’t always easy—for the animals or their people! So this year, we’re testing a more flexible format that we hope will make this much-loved tradition accessible to more people and their pets.

On Saturday, Oct 3, from 2:30–4:30 PM, join us at Wooddale Park for Animal Blessings To-Go!

Rev. Christy Stang will be at the picnic shelter between 2:30 and 4:30 PM ready to offer an individual blessing for your pet.

And, as always, all pets are welcome! Dogs, cats, hamsters, reptiles, hermit crabs and creatures of all kinds are invited.

For pets who are anxious around other animals or would simply be happier staying in the car, we’ve got you covered. Park in the Wooddale Park lot and Christy will come to you for the blessing.

We hope this new format will provide a calmer experience for some animals while making it easier for more people to participate in this St. Stephen’s tradition.

While the format is changing, the heart of the tradition remains the same: giving thanks for God’s creation and celebrating the animals who bring companionship, joy and love into our lives.

A note about Sunday worship reminder: On Sunday, Oct 4, we will gather as usual at 10:15 AM for our regular indoor celebration of Holy Eucharist.