{"id":30712,"date":"2022-08-04T16:00:59","date_gmt":"2022-08-04T20:00:59","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?p=30712"},"modified":"2022-09-22T10:38:10","modified_gmt":"2022-09-22T14:38:10","slug":"missouri-dogs-go-into-pawstoral-care-5-25-22","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?p=30712","title":{"rendered":"Missouri Dogs Go Into Pawstoral Care! (5\/25\/22)"},"content":{"rendered":"

A United Methodist couple in Hannibal MO has embraced the ministry of visitation with a unique way of outreach. \u00a0 They stand about 2 feet high, weigh 165 pounds, have long fluffy hair, and their names are Ranger and Odin.\u00a0 And, they walk on four feet!\u00a0 <\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Yep- a pair of big fluffy dogs is involved the visitation ministry of this Missouri district.\u00a0 Ranger and Odin are accompanied by Bob and Sue Mitchell, Lay Servants from Hannibal MO.\u00a0 The story was told in a recent article which was posted on the website<\/a> for the Missouri Conference of the United Methodist Church.
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Ice…<\/span><\/h3>\n

Imagine that you’re a kid going to church one Sunday when your parents “encourage” you to answer the pastor’s invitation to come forward during the Children’s Sermon.\u00a0 You’re nervous and would rather stay in your pew rather than to be seen by the whole congregation. \"\"<\/p>\n

Or imagine being a nursing home resident and some “stranger” from “outside” comes into your world to visit you.\u00a0 You don’t know them and you’re probably a bit suspicious that their motives might be more to serve their own conscience than to serve you.\u00a0 And imagine that you’re the person who is visiting that nursing home.\u00a0 You’re thinking about what to say and worrying about what not to say.<\/p>\n

In any case, the initial introduction is a bit frosty.\u00a0 The ice needs to be broken.<\/p>\n

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Ice Broken…
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But as you approach the front of the sanctuary, you’re greeted by a big huggable dog.\u00a0 Dogs in church?\u00a0 Or as you’re wheeled into the room to meet the visitors, you’re greeted by a creature resembling an enormous teddy bear?\u00a0 \"\"<\/p>\n

Welcome to Ranger and Odin!<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Ranger and Odin, two Newfoundland dogs<\/a>, accompany Bill and Sue Mitchell when they visit nursing homes and churches as part of their Certified\u00a0Lay Servant<\/a> ministry.\u00a0\u00a0 A wagging tail begging to be petted lightens up the mode.\u00a0 You don’t have to worry about how you look as you sit on the floor in front of the pastor; everyone is watching the dog.\u00a0 It’s hard to be suspicious of visitors when their lovable dog is greeting you.\u00a0 And if you’re a visiting Lay Speaker, you don’t have to worry about what to say; the dogs give the introduction.<\/p>\n

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Using Any Means…<\/span><\/h3>\n

John Wesley (the founder of what is now known at the United Methodist Church) said:<\/p>\n

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“Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can.”<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Jesus (the Founder of Everything!) frequently used the surrounding environment as a means to teach people.\u00a0<\/p>\n