Pastor Albert Deal sits with his dog, Holly, at Mt. Zion United Methodist Church in Smithsburg, Maryland.
Photo via heraldmailmedia.com
A church in Smithsburg, Maryland, has a great new idea to encourage folks to come to Sunday services: they can now bring their dogs along (one Sunday a month, at least).
The idea for a doggie worship service came about after the local pastor read a story about the Rev. Ann Bullis of Wesley United Methodist Church in Sheboygan, Wis., who encouraged her congregation to bring their canine friends to a 9 a.m. Sunday service.
“I thought, ‘Hey, she’s on the right track,’” Deal recalled.
Not only do many pet owners love their animals like children, he said, “there are some folks who don’t like leaving their pets, especially dogs, at home alone. I thought it would be nice if they could be provided with a warm, welcoming and comforting place to worship with their canine companions.”
With so many things competing for our attention, a good marketing ploy is required for any event, apparently. It looks like Pastor Deal has hit on a winner.
There’s lots more in the article about the pastor’s own history with dogs, and it’s worth a read.