The “Blessing of the Animals” is a ceremony observed by the United Methodist Church to celebrate and honor all creatures great and small.

On Saturday, October 4, the congregants of First United Methodist Church brought their critters and varmints to the farm of FUMC members Robb and Liz Neill.

On the banks of the Nolichucky River, FUMC Senior Pastor Asa Majors blessed dozens of cats, dogs, chickens, donkeys, and goats.

The Rev. Majors read a devotional and prayer from the UMC Book of Worship.

“The animals of God’s creation inhabit the skies, the earth, and the sea,” Majors said. “They share in the fortunes of human existence, and have a part in human life. God, who confers gifts on all living things, has often used the service of animals, or made them reminders of the gifts of salvatio

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