I wrote this to use in my church’s service. This normally would be when we bless backpacks both for our children and backpacks filled with supplies to be donated to a local charity. Due to the difficult time we are in, we wanted to recognize every family’s choice for how to continue education this year. The section regarding this may need to be altered to fit your church’s situation
Please grab another candle to light in your home. We each came into those worship with our own unique stories, feelings, hopes and heartaches. Let this moment be one where we can celebrate that we are all uniquely ourselves and that none of us are like another. Despite our differences and distances, we are so deeply connected. If there is something on your mind or in your heart today, I invite you to light a candle in your home.
I light a candle to honor the hard decisions we have to make in this time
I light a candle to honor the unforeseen opportunities that have presented themselves
I light a candle to honor all of our joys
I light a candle to honor all of our sorrows,fears, and uncertainties.
All of these are held by the warm and loving embrace of this church community.
PRAYER IN WORDS(pause for a minute before starting)
As we hold in our hearts all the joys and sorrows and struggles and celebrations said and unsaid, I invite you to join me in a moment of reflection or meditation. Let us pray.
Spirit of love and life,
For many families, this week marks the new year of education and learning.
Every new year brings some nervousness for what is to come, but this year more than ever. Some students will walk into schools, and we honor that decision. Some students will connect with others on a computer, and we honor that decision. Some students’ class will be their siblings and their teacher a parent, and we honor that decision. Some older students will take a break from their brick and mortar education, and we honor that decision. Some even older students will take this opportunity to learn new things, and we honor that decision. We know that this is a year of tough choices, and we honor your choices and will support you regardless.
Every new year brings new things for everyone who searches for truth and meaning
New subjects or new levels of learning
New friends
New rules
And many new things we won’t be prepared for.
Spirit of love and life,
Give us the patience for new things,
The bravery and courage to face them,
And give us love when we cannot
Fill our community’s hearts and minds with the tools we will need to be strong and supported
Let this wonderful community remind us that we are not alone, no matter the distance.
In silence, we lift up these prayers that rest in our hearts.
Stay safe and best of wishes,
Artie Evans