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Orlando pastor fits paws in pews
Associated Press
Published September 5, 2005
ORLANDO - Margie Durney hadn't attended church services in years, saying the decision was based in part because she dislikes leaving her Italian greyhound at home alone.
An Orlando pastor has now developed an ideal solution.
Once a month, the outreach church of the Apopka Assembly is open - only to dogs, with nondenominational services taking place at a pet spa on Orlando's west side.
"A few dogs sing with us," said Pastor Dee Renda, a former professional dog trainer who brings her Border collie, Maggie, to church. "I've never had a fight or trouble with the dogs."
Renda, 55, saw an article two years ago about a Fort Lauderdale church that opened its doors to pets of all species, and got the idea for the dog-only house of worship.
She calls it "Hymns and Hounds." Its motto: "Dogs of all faiths welcome." And Renda's reason for restricting attendance to canines is simple.
"I am not a bird or iguana trainer," she said. "And I wouldn't know what to do if an iguana got eaten by one of the dogs."
During a recent sermon, Renda likened a dog's relationship to its owner to people's relationship to God.
"When you go to the pound and rescue a dog, you bring that animal into your family. Jesus rescued us and brought us into his family," Renda said.
After the services, the leashed dogs are invited for refreshments and socializing with the other dogs - "Yappy Hour," Renda calls it.
Nontraditional church services aren't exactly a new idea, but seem to be catching on nationally. There are groups who do aerobic workouts while worshiping, with the idea there combining spiritual and physical health.
In England earlier this summer, a Methodist church had dogs, tadpoles and turtles alongside worshipers at a service designed to show the need for humans to live harmoniously with animals.
And dog owners like Durney love the idea.
She has made the 30-minute commute from her Altamonte Springs home for every service since April, bringing her 6-year-old dog along for the ride.
"This is my baby," Durney said. "I was reluctant to leave her."
[Last modified September 5, 2005, 01:15:10]
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