Posts tagged "church"

Oh, deer.

We can't knock your ambition for this year's Xmas pageant to be "the best ever," Pastor Bob. Let your wings take dream, someone once said, and we agree. It's not that your decision to feature real, live animals was a bad one in and of itself, but maybe a little more planning could have gone into which species could reasonably be corralled and kept in the church. A budgie, for instance. Or a salamander. Maybe three wise guinea pigs if you really wanted to go nuts. But next year, let's leave the wild forest animals outside where they can run free without decimating the pews and terrifying the parishioners.

At St. Giles the Abbot Parish Church in England, one member of the congregation enters services every Thursday and Sunday covered, head to toe, in fur. Usually, no one bats an eye, unless it's a churchgoer who isn't used to seeing Zack, a 7-year-old Collie mix and extremely pious pooch.

"He really is a beautiful animal," the rector, Father Ian Thurston, told the Sentinel. "He is always quiet and knows what is going on."

Church members allege that the sweet-natured rescue pup gives off a "spiritual" vibe, even going as far as to follow along with the service. Says on congregant, "[Zack] really respects what is going on and is accepted as part of our worship."