“Back to school” — that phrase elicits a whole range of emotions in a large percentage of our population. Being a person who always LOVED school (photo is third-grade Julie, ready to head off to Mackinaw City Elementary), the phrase and this time of year bring feelings of excitement. Even though it has been quite a while since I have been a student and a few years now since our daughter has been a student, this time of the year seems to hold so much possibility. (I will say that the church program year which starts again after the summer lull may also have something to do with this.) What will we learn this year? What adventures will come upon us? Who will we gain as new companions along the way?
“Back to school” for others brings feelings of dread or anxiety: for those students who would rather just be at home, for those students who struggle in school with the work or with feeling that they don’t fit in, for teachers who feel overwhelmed and under supported, for support staff and administrators who have difficult jobs, for parents who miss their kids.
This time of the year marks new beginnings for young people who are off on their own for the first time and for parents who have to adjust to not having that child safely “under their roof.” To be sure these days are filled with joy, anxiety, fear, excitement, pride and homesickness.
Many of our congregations take time to recognize this time of year by having a “blessing of the backpacks” or a similar moment in worship to pray for the students as they begin the new year. I’m thankful for all of you who are holding students, teachers, staff and administrators in prayer in these days. I encourage you to continue those prayers throughout the school year, to remember our campus ministries throughout the synod, to pray for your local schools, and to take time to ask the children, teens and young adults in your life how things are going. We pray that the year will bring blessing and growth to all!
+Bishop Julie
A prayer for schools: O God, source of all goodness, we give you thanks for the gift of reason and the opportunity for education. Bless our schools, that they may be places of learning and safety where teachers challenge the minds and nurture the hearts of students. Grant that teachers and students may work together in mutual respect and find joy in the challenges of academic life; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen. (ELW, p. 78)
A prayer for teachers: God of wisdom, your Son came among us as a teacher. Send your blessing on all who are engaged in the work of education: give them clearness of vision and freshness of thought and enable them so to train the hearts and minds of their students that they may grow in wisdom and be prepared to face the challenges of life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (ELW, p. 78)