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LA Church Adds Dogs to Flock

First service attracts quite a pack

By Will McCahill,  Newser Staff

Posted Nov 7, 2009 6:56 AM CST

(Newser) – A pastor looking for an idea to revitalize the sagging membership at his Los Angeles church found it by letting the dogs in. “Wherever there’s love, there’s God in some fashion,” says Tom Eggebeen of Covenant Presbyterian Church. “And when we love a dog and a dog loves us, that’s a part of God and God is a part of that.” Apparently there are a half-dozen other congregations holding similar canine-friendly services, including one in a Boston suburb called Woof 'n Worship.

Eggebeen's first 30-minute service—featuring dog-oriented hymns and prayers—attracted a couple dozen dogs and quite a few new faces, though, the AP notes, the pooches “didn’t seem very interested in dogma.” Said one first-time human worshiper: “I don’t have any kids, so my pets have always been my children, so it does mean a lot. I haven’t been to church in a long time and this may push me into it.”

Johanna Mclees, daughter Laura and dog Brooke attend Sunday services at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Los Angeles, Nov. 1, 2009.
Johanna Mclees, daughter Laura and dog Brooke attend Sunday services at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Los Angeles, Nov. 1, 2009.   (AP Photo)
Donna Merz and dog Gracie attend services at at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Los Angeles, Nov. 1, 2009.
Donna Merz and dog Gracie attend services at at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Los Angeles, Nov. 1, 2009.   (AP Photo)
The sign in front of the Covenant Presbyterian Church welcomes parishioners with their dogs for Sunday services.
The sign in front of the Covenant Presbyterian Church welcomes parishioners with their dogs for Sunday services.   (AP Photo)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 7 comments
Netstorm2k10
Nov 8, 2009 8:27 AM CST
Came around too early...uses a brick......
Netstorm2k10
Nov 8, 2009 8:26 AM CST
Punches self in face over and over and over and dark....
Snarfeh
Nov 8, 2009 3:39 AM CST
Riff? Just breathe....in....out....there you go....

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