A Suffolk church will hold its first blessing of the animals service this Sunday.

The Rev. Julie Sterling, the new minister at Suffolk Presbyterian Church, said she does not believe a blessing of the animals has been held there in the past, but she has done it at other churches in the past. Her congregation is excited about it.

“When I mentioned it as a possibility, they were excited,” said Sterling, who has a dog and a few cats, all rescues, at home. “We do have several members who are animal lovers.”

The service will take place at 2 p.m. at the church, 410 N. Broad St. All pets are welcome but should be secured during the service.

The Suffolk Humane Society will be there showing off adoptable animals. The church also will collect donations for the humane society, including food, litter, cleaning supplies and cash donations.

The event will also include a lit candle to memorialize pets that have passed away.

Sterling said the event will be important for the people involved as well as the pets.

“It will be a nice way to give a service to the community and reach out to other animal lovers who may not otherwise get to know us,” she said. “Hopefully it’s just a day we can acknowledge that animals are a part of our lives and our faith journeys with God.”