When John Calvin wrote those words 500 years ago, at the very dawn of the Presbyterian Church, he couldn’t have foreseen the degree to which companion animals would infiltrate human society. According to the American Veterinary Medicine Association (AVMA), about 70% of American households include a pet. That’s a whopping 85 million U.S. families who share their homes and lives with at least one animal. Worldwide, more than 470 million dogs and 375 million cats are kept as pets.*

It’s no surprise, then, that so many faith communities have incorporated companion animal ministries into their missions. But it may surprise you to learn that Westminster Church has its very own pet ministry! The group, like so many others, went dormant during the pandemic, but chairperson Beth Ketterman and her committee members are eager to start growing again.

The mission of Westminster Church’s Pet Ministry is “... to ensure we’re being good stewards of all God’s creation by advocating a greater awareness of what it means to be in love and charity with our neighbors and with the living creatures of our world.” More specifically, the group seeks to care for and support “people and their pets, as well as the relationships that exist between them.”

One of the first actions the committee took at its relaunch meeting was to rededicate itself to the Pet Ministry’s vision to cultivate, nurture, and sustain an environment that acknowledges and honors the unique relationship between people and their pets through education, services, and events.

We will begin with:
• A Blessing of the Pets for people to celebrate
their pets
• A Remembrance Service for people who have lost pets

Be on the lookout for more details in the coming months.

If any of these activities speak to the animal lover in you, I ask you to prayerfully consider joining me and committee members Beth Ketterman, David Lloyd, Amy Walker, Lynn Walliser, Dee Waters, Sue Watson, and Meghan Widmar at an upcoming Pet Ministry committee meeting. For details, please contact chairperson Beth Ketterman, [email protected] and 412-589-1006.

*Emma Bedford, Statistica, 2019