We begin the Great Thanksgiving, 9 March 2014

Below are a few photos of last Sunday’s Pet Blessing service, which was also the 1st Sunday in Lent — Revd Llewellyn did well to combine these two themes in his short, child-friendly sermon!  Parishioners and visitors brought their much-loved pets to be blessed during an outdoor Eucharist on the lawn at Holy Innocents. More photos will be added to the gallery once permission is received from parents. Thank you to everyone who helped, including Frank and Jane Davison for the hay bales. At the beginning of the service, Patricia Gardner presented our Deacon Curate, Rev’d Llewellyn, with a purple stole.

Molly was the only cat at the pet service

The Smiths’ lovely cockatiel

Millie, rescued after the quakes

Gemma won ‘best behaved pet’ prize

Ellie has spotted the rabbits

Patricia Gardner presents Rev. Llewellyn with his new purple stole to mark the start of Lent

R reads Joy Cowley’s poem, Do Dogs go to Heaven?