He has had goats eat the hymn sheets and poultry in the pulpit, but Dannevirke's Canon Tim Delaney is still keen for animals to flock to his special critters blessing on Sunday.
The traditional animal blessing at St John's Anglican Church connects with the feast of St Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals and birds, Canon Delaney said.
"This type of service is becoming more popular than in the past, not only in New Zealand, but in Australia and the United Kingdom too.
"People's involvement in the church is shifting away from regular Sunday worship to special events, with the focus on what is happening in their family, community and their social life. I believe it's a good thing our liturgical gatherings are more connected with real life events," he said. "St Francis was more community focused than church focused too. We live in a part of the world where animals are a part of our lives. The ministry of the church across the Ruahine region, needs to keep a focus on not just human beings, but all God's creations and so by holding an animal blessing, we are acknowledging the importance of these special creatures."
