RESPONSIVE READING

 

LEADER: Will the teachers, school administrators, counselors, school volunteers, support staff, cafeteria workers, school bus  drivers, and all others who work in our schools, please stand at this time.  

Today we remember the children and youth of this congregation and those involved in their education. The call to be involved in education is a high calling. Those who teach our children help shape the future.  We give thanks to a gra-

cious God for the teachers, school administrators, counselors, school volunteers, support staff, cafeteria workers, school bus drivers, and all others in our congregation who work in our schools.

 

PEOPLE: We celebrate your calling and pledge to support you and others in our communities who are involved in the education of children and youth. (School personnel may be seated.)

 

LEADER: As we recognize those who teach in schools, we recognize as well that teaching also happens at home. Will parents or guardians of our children and youth in school, please stand.

Education involves a partnership between school, home, and community.  The support of parents and guardians is essential to a child’s success. This morning we recognize you for the support you give the students in your home. We hold in prayer all those in this congregation who have children and youth in school and pray that all homes will be a place where learning is valued and encouragement offered.

 

PEOPLE: We pledge our support to parents and guardians. We pray that our ministries will encourage and strengthen those in our church families who provide care for children. (Parents and guardians may be seated.)

 

LEADER: At this time I would like to invite our youth and children in preschool, kindergarten, elementary, junior high, or high school, to stand.

Your church family believes that each of you is a gift from God, filled with potential and possibility. We pray that as you learn and grow you will develop caring hearts and minds that think clearly. We believe in you and care about

your education.

 

PEOPLE: As your faith community, we pledge to be with you on your educational journey. We affirm that each of you is a precious gift from God. We will do all that we are able to ensure that your schools are positive places filled with hope and the resources necessary for learning. (Children and youth may be seated.)

 

LEADER: Let us pray—Gracious God, we lift up to you all those involved in education in this community and in all the communities in our nation and world. Guide us, great God, that we will know the best way to show our interest and support for our students, teachers, and all those involved in education.

 

PEOPLE: We pray for wisdom and strength to make a positive difference in the lives of those in school. We pray for courage to explore new ways of supporting the people and institutions that teach our children and youth. We pray in the name of the great teacher, Jesus. Amen.

 

(adapted from the National Council of Churches, “A Litany for Education and Schools,” www.ncccusa.org/gifs/Litanyhandout.pdf)

 

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

 

Loving God, we confess that we have failed our children by not assuring that every child receives a proper education.  We have bought into the world's system of competition, happy for some children to excel, while others of little means fall behind for lack of resources they need—crippling their chances of future success and perpetuating a cycle of poverty and despair.  As a society, we have neglected our children—turn us from our sin of neglect.  Give us the strength to take the time our children need from us to feel valued and to be helped in times of questioning, failure, and stress.  Remind all of us that our lives are safe in your hands—our pasts, our todays, and our futures because of the love of Jesus Christ, our Savior.  Amen. 

 

(by B. J. Morton)

 

For Young Persons

 

God our loving Parent, you see your children growing up in an unsteady and confusing world: Show them that your ways give more life than the ways of this world, and that following you is better than chasing after selfish goals.  Help them to take failure, not as a measure of their worth, but as a chance for a new start.  Give them strength to hold their faith in you, and to keep alive their joy in your creation; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

 

(adapted from the Book of Common Prayer, p. 829, #47)

 

Lord, this world needs this marvelous wealth that is youth.  Help young people!  They possess the inexhaustible wealth of the future.  Do not allow an easy life to corrupt them, nor difficulties to quench their spirit.  Amen.

 

(“Dom Helder Camara’s Prayer for Young People,” www.sm3a.org.uk/prayer_of_the_month/dom_helder_camara.html)

 

 

For the Care of Children

 

Almighty God, heavenly Parent, you have blessed us—as parents and as the church—with the joy and care of children: Give us calm strength and patient wisdom as we bring them up, that we may teach them to love whatever is just and true and good, following the example of our Savior Jesus Christ.  Amen.

 

(adapted from the Book of Common Prayer, p. 829, #46)

 

 

 

Right to Education

 

We pray for all those around the world who want to learn,

But are denied their right to education.

We pray too for those who teach, especially

Those who work with few resources and little support. 

We give thanks for the knowledge, skills and understanding we have

And we ask your help to remember how much we have still to learn.

Teach us to respect wisdom, wherever we find it.

As you walked with the disciples on the road to Emmaus

Walk with us as we try to understand. 

Open our hearts and minds to new learning

Even when it challenges us to change.

Give us the courage to tackle injustice and

Guide us towards a new, shared future,

Where everyone has the chance to learn,

and all may grow in wisdom and understanding. Amen

 

(© Linda Jones/CAFOD—used with permission)