Blessing of the Animals

More Information

Religious Education for children and youth happens during worship on Sundays. Children and youth arrive in the Sanctuary for the just a little bit and welcome in Sunday with a story and song. Then, they attend their own programs in the Education building. Learn more here!

If you don’t have a chalice, but want to light one, check out our Making a Chalice at Home page.

In person services are followed by coffee hour.

Sermon Audio

Sermon Text

About four years ago one of my congregants and her husband shared that they had finally found a dog that was ready for adoption. J & R had been waiting a long time and checking the local shelters constantly. I was so happy for them and asked if they had a picture. When I saw that it was a german shepherd, my mood  immediately shifted and they noticed. They must have seen the fear in my eyes and my immediate impulse to distance myself, to get a way. They were kind enough  to ask me what was behind my fear. I had never shared this before with anyone else. 

I told them how I panicked every time I saw a German shepherd. I could feel my heart racing, my pores opening with cold sweat, my breath constricting, and my mind racing, playing tricks with me and taking me back in time and making me feel vulnerable and scared. 

As you know, I grew up in Chile. Similarly to the US, the police used german shepherds to break up political protests in public. German shepherds were also used by the secret and sinister group of the military in charge of the most heinous crimes against humanity. I had heard the testimonies of those who witnessed the horrors. I believe that was the point of letting some people go. To instill fear in us. To make us wonder not if but when will it be me? German shepherds and the feeling of dread were one and the same for me and it became a phobia. No amount of rational thinking or therapy talk could help me get rid of that connection.

Until Sadie.  When J & R brought Sadie home, they invited me to come and meet her. First, it was only through the patio glass door. After a couple of months, it was during dinner, so I could witness how she listened, was content to be in her own space, and did not jump or bark. Once, J & R asked me to take care of her while they were out of town and I felt unsure and nervous but said yes because I had a feeling I had to give myself the opportunity to break this pattern, this fear that had been weighing on my heart for so long. And I did and it was hard and scary and oh so beautiful…and healing…I still felt my heart racing but something was shifting, I was allowing myself to trust, I was opening up to the possibility that this particular german shepherd was gentle and kind and loving It helped that Sadie was not a puppy…

When the day arrived for the Blessing of the animals, I was moved to tears to actually be able to touch Sadie, to bless her and to feel that she was the one blessing me, making it possible for a hardened part of myself to dissolve and make room for love…I never thought that I would ever place my hand on that furry head speckled with brown and gray hairs. I never thought that I would be so vulnerable as to offer my open hand and place them before her for a benediction which took the shape of her warm breath, gentle approach, and subsequent slobbery licks. 

That moment felt like magic wrapped up in universal grace, like the universe letting me know that even though it had taken a couple of decades, healing trauma was possible, transformation was possible, replacing fear with trust was possible. When I looked up at J & R they were beaming with love and pride.

Shortly afterwards, J & R called me to tell me that Sadie was dying. I didn’t  know that they had intentionally adopted an older dog with significant health issues because they wanted her to live the rest of her life receiving love and care. They had not adopted to be entertained or expecting many years of companionship. Although they never said this, they adopted her to save her life. Nobody wanted her. They knew that her arthritis would make it difficult for her to walk, that she would be in chronic pain and that they would have to administer medication daily, and when the meds wore off, that they would have to be a source of comfort. They knew that she would be leaving them soon and they were open to experiencing grief as well as unconditional love. I was surprised by my own voice asking if I could go and be by Sadie’s side. This felt important. In my chaplaincy training no one had prepared me for this, but I knew that I wanted to be there for J & R and to accompany Sadie. I bowed my head before her and laid on the rug gently placing my hand on her paw. I felt her warmth, my heart no longer racing, my mind only sending messages of love and peace, and gratitude, the only image before me was this gentle soul inside a body that was struggling. I breathed with her. And in that breath, I felt the most peaceful feeling I had ever felt. I allowed the tears to come. For Sadie, for J & R, for my country, for my younger self living in constant fear, and for all animals who are trained and used to do evil. 

Sadie has changed me, has given me a chance at healing, showed me that I could trust again, that I could find beauty and love in places, people, and beings that I had considered dangerous, or too difficult, or too risky to love…J & R had also taught me that we can intentionally choose to love even in the face of impending loss, that grief does not cancel love but in fact grows out of love. That we can choose to hold on to fear forever, or in time, with loving support, risk opening ourselves up to love, and experience deep transformation within ourselves, changing our narratives, gifting us with the realization that our animal companions can help us heal and teach us to become more human. 

Sadie is short for Sarah which in Hebrew, among other meanings, means Minister. 

Testimonial

My name is Signe Lalish Menagh and my pronouns are she and her. I come before you today as a member of the congregation and not as a representative of Board in my role as President.

It’s an honor to address a community that has enriched my life in countless ways. Today, I want to focus on the fundamental importance of financially supporting our church’s religious education initiatives. Our programs do more than disseminate information; they build character, cultivate virtues, and foster a sense of togetherness that is truly irreplaceable.

The Our Whole Lives (OWL) program stands as a primary example. This age-appropriate sexual education initiative has transformed my family’s communication landscape. Topics that once seemed taboo or difficult are now discussed openly and constructively. OWL isn’t just a class; it’s a forum for profound emotional and intellectual growth. And it’s precisely such programs that your generous donations empower.

But let’s broaden the lens. OWL is only one facet of our rich tapestry of communal experiences. Think about the Family Covenant Circle, our communal camping trips, the beet picking excursions, the adaptive Trunk-or-Treat events during COVID times, the pumpkin patch meet-ups, and various volunteering opportunities. Each of these experiences stitches another patch into the quilt of our communal life, making it more colorful, warm, and inviting. These are the reasons that I, and many of you, keep coming back, keep investing emotionally, intellectually, and yes, financially, into this sacred space we’ve created together.

It’s easy to think of donations as mere financial transactions. But in the context of our church community, they are so much more. Each dollar you contribute becomes a brick in the spiritual home we are collectively building. It’s an investment in the diverse programs and outreach activities that make our community as nurturing and inclusive as it is. From religious education to social events, from community service to spiritual rituals—your contributions sustain them all.

I understand the many responsibilities and funding needs that our church has. From social justice to pastoral care, from facility maintenance to community outreach, each has its essential place in our budget. But today, I urge you to consider what we stand to lose if we neglect the bedrock of our community—our educational programs and community-building activities. These are not optional extras; they are the heart and soul of what makes our faith community so extraordinary.

So, with a heart full of gratitude for what this community has given me and my family, I boldly call upon you to give back in whatever capacity you can. Let’s pay it forward. Let’s ensure that the programs which have deeply impacted us can continue to exist and enrich the lives of others. Let’s transform our collective sense of gratitude into a force for communal good.
Thank you for your ongoing commitment, your generous spirits, and your unwavering love for this community. Together, let’s invest in a brighter, more nurturing future for everyone who calls East Shore Unitarian Church their spiritual home.