| Praised be you, my Lord, with all your creatures... These words from St. Francis spark a beacon of hope and are a reminder of the sacrednress of of all creation. Scripture tells us God so loved the world and that world includes both human and nonhuman. As studies of the sacred life of animals gain respectability and validity, Francis' insights prove to be worthy ground from which to immerse oursleves in the sacred practices of God's creatures. Several animals including chimps, dolphins, elephants, and dogs have revealed a moral intelligence, that is the presence of feelings and basic morality. it is clear that animals can be seen as a part of the family and, in the sacred sense, part of the family of God. For the traumatized, the sloppy lick of a dog or the rumbling purr of a cat can bring people back from the brink of despair. We will explore ways to connect more fully with God's love and presence as revealed in nonhuman yet sensient beings. This will include a discussion on the presence and inclusion of companion animals in worship and what role pets may take in the growth of the church. It is possible that being a movement for wholeness in a fragmented world means the church more readily addresses and advocates for the healing power God makes available through animal relationships. (From 2022 Sabbatical Proposal which received national Lilly Clergy Renewal Grant) |
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Janet Warner Chapman
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