Holy Cross Lutheran Church is inviting the public to an event that gives a whole new meaning to the term “tail gate party.”
Along with the traditional football-themed cookout and snacks, there will be many wagging tails on hand on Sunday, September 22. The church, located at 5402 US HWY 6 in Portage, is celebrating the “Passing of the Lease” at its 10 a.m. worship service, followed by the tail-gate party from noon to 2 p.m.
The celebration is to welcome Isaiah to the church's Comfort Dog Ministry. His leash will be passed from Lutheran Church Charities to Holy Cross, as Isaiah begins his work in the Portage community. He will join the church's other two Comfort Dogs, Barnabas and Prince, who has recently entered semi-retirement.
Each comfort dog has his or her own FaceBook page. According to their pages, “Lutheran Church Charities K9 Comfort Dogs are friends who bring a calming influence, allowing people to open up their hearts and receive help in times of need.”
The Reverend Timothy Engel, pastor of Holy Cross, said, “Prince has worked in Portage for four and a half years, going to Portage High School daily with his handler, Tim Kunstek. He has worked full days throughout the school year, as well as appearing at special events.”
Kunstek is the Home School Advisor for the high school. Prince has been his four-legged, furry co-counselor, offering comfort to students and staff alike.
“We expect that Prince will now have more time for visits to nursing homes and the middle and elementary schools,” Engel said. “We will rotate Barnabas, our other comfort dog, and Isaiah between the school and my activities. That way both dogs will get a well-rounded experience.”
Isaiah became famous in comfort dog circles when he went to Newtown, Connecticut, at the tender age of 10 weeks old. He joined other comfort dogs who returned in January, following the tragic events at Sandy Hook Elementary School in December.
“Everyone fell in love with him,” Engel said. “He is so gentle and sweet-natured. He was the first LCC comfort dog in training to participate in something like this. We are really excited to add him to this ministry that we offer to the Portage community.”
The public is invited to attend both the worship service and the tail-gate party or either one individually.
“Everyone in the community is invited to meet the dogs and enjoy some free hotdogs and burgers. If you would like, wear a favorite jersey, whether it’s from Pop Warner, a school team, college or professional team. Come and have some fun,” Engel said.
For further information, please call Holy Cross at 763-6343.