Blessing of the Backpacks This Sunday

Dear Friends,

School crossing guards again exercise absolute dominion over any who would dare trespass their tiny territories of striped lines. The flashing yellow lights on the school zones have returned, like beacons (hopefully beckoning a cold front). At the store, the only binders left are in ugly colors, the glue sticks are all off-brand, and wide-ruled notebook paper is currently cheaper than toilet paper (though not wise to use interchangeably). The fall semester has started. It must, therefore, be time for us to bless some backpacks.

Indeed, our annual Blessing of the Backpacks is this Sunday at all services. For those of you who are students, who have kids in school, who work in a school, who teach school at the dining room table, or who are otherwise connected to education, this day is directly applicable to you. We will celebrate your part in our community, pray for you and over you, and — of course — bless each and every backpack that is brought to St. Andrew’s.

But even if you’re not currently at a place in life when the start of the school year directly affects you, our suburban secular calendar is dominated by the school year. The school year gives shape to our program life as a church. We ride the same currents of novelty and excitement. It is a time for getting back into things — Bible studies, Sunday classes, choir, fellowship activities, Worship Teams — it’s all about to start.

Come and be a part of it all. I’m looking forward to a wonderful Sunday, and then we’re going to have a wonderful, exciting, and fruitful fall semester at St. Andrew’s.

One of these days, it’ll even begin to feel like fall. I hope.

In Christ,
Fr. Andrew