On Wednesday May 7, we welcomed our four-legged furry friends to the Prep School for our first ever Pet Blessing Ceremony.
It was a wonderful opportunity for parents and pupils to bring their pets to school, raise money for local animal charities and thank our pets for all the joy and happiness they bring to our lives.
Led by our Chaplain, Brynn Bayman, the service included a poem read by Head of the Prep, Simon Roche, a wonderful flute solo by Amelia A, and a special tribute to our own Prep School wellbeing dog, Walter.
Talking to our parents and pupils about Walter, his owner and our Head of Learning Support, Natalie Harding, said: “Walter has greatly enriched my life and the life of Framlingham College Prep School over the last six years. For many pupils, he helps reassure and calm them when they have been anxious or worried about anything, and is always there to greet any nervous new pupils in the car park on their first day of school.
“For others, he provides hours of ball throwing training for our aspiring cricketers and is very popular on our Open Morning tours. For our staff, a quick pat or cuddle with Walter in the corridor makes their day even better.”
Our pupils then read prayers for local charities, animal shelters, and all whose who help our pets and animals: “We pray for the RSPCA and Suffolk Animal Rescue. We pray for our farmers and the animals in their care to be treated with dignity and respect. We pray for Framlingham Vets and Debenham Veterinary Practice, and all those who care for our pets, may they know your wisdom and compassion. We remember our animal companions who are no longer with us, and all the ways they enriched and blessed our lives.”
We closed the ceremony with ‘All Things Bright and Beautiful’ alongside a special blessing to the 40 dogs, two cats, one ferret, one tortoise and one parrot in attendance.
God, our Creator, help us love all creatures as kin, all animals as partners on earth, all birds as messengers of praise, all beings, as expressions of your mysterious design, and all tadpoles to frogs as symbols of hope.
Go out into the world to love one another. Cherish your animal family, protect against abuse and neglect, exercise stewardship of all creation so that all creatures, great and small, can experience God’s peace.
Go out our furry, feathered, slippery and squawky, our scaly, creepy creatures. May Christ, who gathered into his love all things in heaven and on Earth, give you his peace.
And the blessing of God Almighty, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, be among you and remain with you always.
Amen
A huge thank you to all pets, parents and pupils who came along to support, alongside our Chaplain and Prep School staff for organising a brilliant service.
