Education Sunday
Dear Friends,
For over 100 years churches in England and Wales have marked the second Sunday in September as Education Sunday as a day of prayer for anyone involved in Education. Resources are prepared by Churches Together in England by representatives of the Baptist Union, the Catholic Church, the Church of England National Society, the Methodist Church, the Student Christian Movement, the Salvation Army, and, of course, ourselves in the URC.
The Revd Dr Phil Wall, Head of Ministries: Learning and Development offers this prayer to mark the day.
Creator God,
You taught the birds to sing, the stars to shine, the oceans to swell.
Be with, and bless, all who teach today.
Bless the nursery workers and university professors;
the support assistants and classroom teachers;
the virtual school staff,
RCL teams,
and all who work in the world of education.
Guide us, strengthen us,
and cross our paths with glimpses of grace,
moments of rest,
and deep reserves of understanding and humour.
Flesh-inhabiting God,
You learnt from carpenters and kings,
hesitant parents, temple teachers, and brave, worried mothers.
Be with, and bless, all learners today.
Bless the nervous newbies and the top set students;
the nerds, neuro-typicals, and neuro-diverse;
the pupils who thrive in mainstream schools,
all those in alternative education,
and those who struggle with both.
Bless the freshers and mature students,
lay learners and ordinands,
the youtube pupils, Duolingo-ers,
and lifelong learners.
Help us to remember that there’s always more to discover about you,
your beautiful world, and all the creatures who call it home.
Bless all us learners today.
Mischievous, magnificent, Spirit,
when Jesus returned home, you came to speak new lessons of love.
Be with, and bless, the Church today.
Help us to seek your teaching, guidance, comfort and challenge.
Remind us that you still speak through wails and whispers,
parables and poetry, sacraments and strangers.
Guide us away from easy answers, cheap dualities, and shallow certainties.
Rather, teach us to remain curious, herald hope, and study war no more.
Bless our local churches, that they may be Christ-centred classrooms of compassion,
where all are welcomed and wanted.
Bless us to bless others in the name of our teaching, triune God.
Amen.
With every good wish
Andy
The Rev’d Andy Braunston
Minister for Digital Worship