BLUE HILL — The annual blessing of animals will be held during 10:30 a.m. services on Sunday, Oct. 3, at St. Francis by the Sea Episcopal Church. A special guest will be Baxter, a llama owned by Dana and Mark Llewellyn of Monroe.

“All of the pets in the community are invited to bring their people to this celebration of the love between animals and humans on the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi, who blessed all of God’s creatures,” said a representative of the church.

During the service, a special anthem will be sung by the children of the church school. After the Eucharist, the animals will be blessed by the Rev. Walter Dickhaut, interim priest. After the service, those attending are welcome to meet Baxter and the other animals, and to enjoy coffee hour in the undercroft.

All pets must be caged, leashed, boxed or otherwise controlled at all times. For information, call Ellen Anthony, 374-2717, or Emily Chaney, 326-4508.