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Here at St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church, we want to help you discover how a life in God through Jesus Christ might look. Let's discover it together.
Church News
Bishops consider issues of diversity and impairment among leaders
Pew Pulse
This Week at St. Christopher’s
Transforming Questions
The Annual Blessing of the Animals
Trumpeter September 2016 Edition
From Fr. Don, September 1, 2016
The Console Has Arrived
Family Promise Information
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This Sunday
Transforming Questions
This Sunday the Adult Formation Class begins a look at Transforming Questions.
This course invites faithful questioning for those who are new or seasoned in their faith. Questions are meant to be explored in the midst of community and this course invites you to share and wrestle with God's Holy Word with others.
Through asking questions, you begin a journey toward a stronger faith and a transformed life. Even the questions you ask likely with change into new and deeper questions as you grow to know Jesus and explore your faith.
Join us this Sunday at 9:00-9:50 in the library.
Blessing of All the Animals
Sunday, October 2, 2016 at 1:00 P.M.
All animals are invited with their humans.
Dogs should be leashed, other animals should be crated.
Each animal will be blessed by a priest and receive a St. Francis medal.
Our youth who may not have a pet, are welcome to bring a stuffed friend and those will be blessed too.
The service of Blessing the Animals is celebrated in honor of St. Francis of Assisi and
will be held outdoors if weather permits.
Join us this coming Wednesday, September 28 at 6 pm for our Wednesday Family Night Soup Kick-Off! Bring the entire family (including the kids), a beverage, and your enthusiasm as we share in prayer and fellowship!
On Sunday, October 2nd at 1pm, all animals are invited to bring their owners and attend the service which, depending on the weather, we either be held inside or outside. Dogs, please remember to bring your leash so you can control your human. Cats are advised to stay inside their first class crate quarters so that they are not contaminated with undue human attention or the presence of dogs. Other critters are welcome and may include: guinea pigs, rabbits, sugar gliders, gerbils, hamsters, rats, mice, snakes, lizards, crabs, tarantulas, llamas, alpacas, sheep, cows, pigs, horses, donkeys, camels and Tasmanian devils.
Fr. Don and Fr. Mike will be available to bless each critter individually. A St. Francis medal will be awarded to each blessed animal. Animals are asked to give their medals to their owners for safe keeping or bling wearing.
Human children without current animal siblings are welcome to bring a stuffed animal for the blessing.
The Blessing of the animals honors Saint Francis of Assisi who lived in the early part of the 11th century in Italy and founded the Order of Friars Minor (commonly called the Franciscans). He is one of the most venerated saints of the Christian Church. He is also the Patron Saint of Italy. The Blessing of the Animals is held annually to honor his feast day (October 4th).
Francis is known for his love of the Mass (the Eucharist) and its daily reception. He also focused his life on the care and love of nature and the way in which God speaks through nature to the core of our being.
According to tradition, Francis bore the stigmata and was one of the first people on earth to have been recorded as bearing the wounds of Christ.
The current Roman Catholic Pope who was born Jorge Mario Bergoglio took the name Francis when he was enthroned as the 266th pontiff.