Carolyn Lyle: Bless These Pets
The First Church of Christ in Old Saybrook has long been a place of comfort for Carolyn Lyle.
“It’s the church we’ve been going to as a family my whole life while in Old Saybrook,” she says. “My parents even got married in it in 1946.”
And while she’s always been involved with the congregation there, Carolyn says she began to get more involved in the early 2000s. When the former summer resident became a permanent resident in April, however, Carolyn found herself working with church leaders to increase the church’s visibility in the community.
“We want the community to see we’re a creative, involved, and inclusive church,” says Carolyn.
The Blessing of the Animals, scheduled for Sunday, Aug. 14 at 10 a.m., is just a small piece of the plan.
“It’s the first time we’re doing this. It’s really a great way for everyone who loves their animals. It’s free and open to all,” Carolyn says.
The blessing includes a pet-friendly service offering prayers for the presented animals, music, photo opportunities, and treats for humans and pets alike. The service is expected to take about an hour and guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs for comfort.
“We want to have fun and get to know the community,” says Carolyn.
Carolyn sits on the committee that organized the blessing but says that it was the church’s new Pastor, Todd Yonkman, who came up with the idea for the event.
“Pastor Todd had done this before at other congregations he’s been at in Connecticut and he thought it would be a great idea here,” explains Carolyn.
Carolyn says the service took a few months to pull off and says the rest of the committee “jumped at the idea” once it was suggested.
In addition to her work helping organize the Blessing of the Animals, Carolyn has also been involved with the church’s transition committee.
“It’s a group of about six of us who are helping to determine the mission, goals, and focuses of the church,” says Carolyn.
According to Carolyn, the group is working on planning more community events for the church to participate in this fall.
“It’s going well. Pastor Todd is a very open-minded and hard-working pastor,” Carolyn says of the outreach efforts.
Outside of her work at the First Church of Christ, Carolyn says she’s looking to get involved following her other passions.
“My passion is the environment and I’m looking to get more involved,” says Carolyn. In particular, Carolyn mentions that the organization Save the Sound is one she is looking to join.
Carolyn grew up in Syracuse, New York but has always had a special connection to old Saybrook. Her grandfather built a house in town that the family summered in. In April Carolyn and her husband moved into town full-time.
“I really like the community and living near the water,” Carolyn says of the decision to move.
In her spare time Carolyn can be found with her husband kayaking, golfing, hiking, and spending time with their grand kids.
Asked her favorite part of Old Saybrook besides the scenery and community, Carolyn replies without missing a beat: “whole-bellied fried clams!”
“And we go to the different places and rank our favorites,” she adds with a laugh.
The First Church of Christ Blessing of the Animals is on Sunday, Aug. 14 at 10 a.m. on the Old Saybrook Town Green. For more information, visit facebook.com/firstchurchos