Grace Church in the Mountains will be having its annual Blessing of the Animals service on Sunday, October 7^th, at 9:30 a.m., on the front lawn of the Grace Church, located at 394 N. Haywood St. in Waynesville.

This highly anticipated service that honors St. Francis, the patron saint of animals, is always an exciting event at the church, and will be even more so this year, as the celebrant and preacher will be Rev. Dan Matthews, local summer resident and presently on the staff of St. John the Divine Cathedral in New York City.  All in the community are welcomed to attend.

Bring your animal companions, large and small, to be blessed.  Children can also bring their favorite stuffed animals.  It might also be good to bring your lawn chairs, although some chairs will be available.

In the case of rain, however, our four-legged friends will have to stay home, and the regular service will be held in the church sanctuary at 9:30 a.m.

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