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

This service honors St. Francis, the patron saint of animals, and will have guest celebrant and preacher the 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, and are encouraged to bring animal companions, large and small, to be blessed.  Children can also bring their favorite stuffed animals.  Attendees may want to bring lawn chairs, although some chairs will be available.

In the case of rain, however, four-legged friends will have to stay home, and the regular service will be held in the ...