Church’s animals service to be hosted online this year
A CHURCH service that has traditionally seen the aisles of St Oswald’s filled with all creatures great and small will have to be conducted online this year, say its organisers.
Ashbourne Animal Welfare’s popular Celebration of Animals Service, which takes place during each run-up to Christmas at the Mayfield Road church, will be held virtually for the first time on December 13.
The Wyaston Road-based rescue and rehoming charity has worked with St Oswald’s Church’s priest in charge Rev Duncan Ballard to put together a video of a service, which will be available to view on Youtube.
A spokesman for Ashbourne Animal Welfare said: “We usually hold a Celebration of Animals Service at St Oswald’s Church to give thanks for the pleasure and companionship that our pets give to us.
“At first we thought it would not be possible to do so this year but, with the help of Rev Duncan Ballard, we have put together an online service which we hope everyone will still enjoy.
“While the congregation this year will not be gathered together with lots of dogs in church, there will still be many dogs and cats helped by the charity taking part in the service through pictures and videos. Even the donkeys from the Donkey Sanctuary Derbyshire Centre have joined in and we can all still sing along to Little Donkey Carried Mary whilst we enjoy some scenes of the donkeys at home in the sanctuary.
“The charity is well aware this year of the special importance people’s pets have played in their owners’ lives and for some who live alone the company of their cat or dog has been their main source of comfort and support during these difficult and testing times.
“Dog owners know the joy of getting up in the morning and being greeted by a wagging tail, while cat owners will tell you that there is nothing more soothing than the sound of a cat purring - never under estimate the power of a purr!
“So while the service might not be as noisy this year, the dogs do normally enjoy joining in the singing, it should still lift the spirits and as the carol goes; bring comfort and joy.”
The service will be broadcast from Sunday, December 13, and links to the Youtube video will be posted on the church’s website at ashbournechurch. org.uk or on the Ashbourne Animal Welfare website at www.ashbourneanimalwelfare.org
To find out more, call 01335 300494.