Having started Michaelmas term with a celebration of Albert Schweitzer, Reid and I couldn't help but notice the similarities between Schweitzer and St. Francis of Assisi. (Reid noted a possible difference: that St. Francis arguably treated animals better than he sometimes treated people.) His reform of Medieval monasticism, commitment to poverty as a value ("holy poverty"), and his reverence for life, were the themes that we drew on for our liturgical planning.
A central point which we focused on was: if all of us were willing to show other people the same compassion and respect which we treat our pets, world would be a much better place. Congregants were invited to bring along their pets for the "Blessing of the Animals". As it happened, no animals were brought in person (so to speak), but many people presented cell phone pictures which were blessed instead.
Service Outline
Prelude - "We Were Poor (But We Were Happy)" Paddy McAloon
Invocation - "Lord Make Us Servants Of Your Peace"
Psalm Tone - "Praise Tone" Stephen Rush
Gospel Hymn - "I Want Jesus To Walk With Me"
Prayer Response - "Beati Voi Poveri" Taizé
Offertory - "Wa Wa Wa Emimimo"
Sanctus - "Blues Sanctus" Stephen Rush
Communion - "Occuli Nostri" Taizé
Closing Hymn - "I Know The Lord's Laid His Hands On Me"
Postlude - "Endangered Species" Ornette Coleman
