Keith-Lucas said the pet ministry, which is open to all faiths, also is related to the Episcopal Church’s belief that human beings are stewards of the earth and have a responsibility to respect and care for all life.

Held in the Cherry Street church’s downstairs parish hall, the service includes time for people and pets to socialize. It offers prayers to protect, strengthen, and heal animals that are abused, lonely, injured, or ill. It remembers animals that have died. It also asks people to be mindful of the responsibility to care for animals, and to be thankful for “the gift of these precious friends.’’

While serious in some aspects, the service is low-key and relaxed, punctuated with an occasional bark.

“It’s a good landing place for people who haven’t done church before or have not had a good experience,’’ Keith-Lucas said. “We hope this is expanding people’s idea of what church can be.’’

“It’s a lovely, simple service,’’ said Weil. “People come here and leave uplifted. It’s just a very special thing. It’s a community of people who care about animals.’’

Don and Debbie Mailloux of Rockland called Calvary when their 12-year-old Yorkshire terrier, Bella, died in August. “We couldn’t get anyone else to do a pet service,’’ said Debbie Mailloux. “We called them out of the blue, and they came right down. We’ve become good friends.’’

The couple drive an hour to attend the monthly service. “We come for the support and people who understand,’’ she said.

On a recent Sunday, they brought a cake for everyone to share after the service in celebration of what would have been Bella’s 13th birthday. With them were their two newly adopted Yorkies, Lucy and Ethel.

Frank Costa of Beverly came to Calvary with his 9-year-old basset hound, Loni, when she was sick. “It was comforting,’’ he said. “It made it a lot easier when I had to put her down.’’