Dear Saint Stephen’s Community,
On Wednesday night, instead of our normal Wednesday Night Live program, we will meet at Overton Park (the park just up Overton Road at the intersection of Overton and Locksley Drive) for our annual Saint Francis Day celebration and Blessing of the Animals. This is a tradition that is beloved in many Episcopal Churches, where people bring their pets and are reminded that they are part of the kingdom of God. Maybe more importantly, our love for them and their love for us forms our understanding of the love of God.
During the service, we will take up a collection to be given to the Greater Birmingham Humane Society. While many of us find our lives enriched by the animals in our midst, the work of the Humane Society should remind us that not all pets are so lucky. We hope this offering will help support their mission.
Whether pets are a part of your family or not, please join us at Overton Park at 5:45 for a picnic, for fellowship, and a chance to be with our church family. I love the staff’s challenge to find ways of stretching our church walls and seeing our identity firmly rooted in the community. And it’s fun to have a picnic in the park, especially as the weather cools off.
Faithfully,
John+
