All creatures great and furry

It may seem like they're barking mad, but the congregation at one East Riding church resembled a scene similar to an episode of the TV sitcom, Vicar of Dibley.

Reverend Sue Pegg gave praise to a different kind of herd on Sunday 7th June as her church hosted its first special service for pets.

The vicar invited her congregation to bring animals to Shiptonthorpe Methodist Church, near Market Weighton, and it's not just domesticated creatures that attended but also rabbits, hamsters, horses and a snake.

"We're sort of saying that all pets can come so as long as they have a well-behaved owner on a lead." said Sue.

The service was shorter than usual with just three songs all reflecting the animal kingdom. Members of the congregation created wall displays and banners based on the hymn 'All Things Bright and Beautiful'. There were also refreshments for the pets including biscuits and buns.

Some members of the congregation

"Animals actually appear in scripture quite a lot." said Sue, "In the Bible they're mentioned many, many times and I think it was on day five of creation of course that God created animals and for that we give thanks."

The idea of the service came from the BBC Comedy series, Vicar of Dibley, and since then there have been a number of pet sermons across the country.

More locally, the congregation in Shiptonthorpe are becoming accustomed to seeing animals at their church. For the recent Psalm Sunday service the vicar brought a real donkey, which she said proved popular with the worshippers.

"On something light-hearted like this it's going to be fun. They find its something they can bring the children to, they enjoy it and it's a good family experience. This is what they like."

Novelty factor aside, these animal initiatives are part of a wider plan to increase the number of people joining the congregation, as Sue explains:

"It's all about opening up and making the church accessible to all sorts of people of all ages and even, in this case, to animals."