Blessing bags in Evesham to start the new school year

To celebrate the beginning of the new school year, All Saints, Evesham and St. Andrews, Hampton held a Bag Blessing service.

Mike Edwards, recently licensed as Curate in Charge ahead of the upcoming Renewal Programme in Evesham, said the churches held the service to “pray for and support children, parents and teachers in our parishes as they begin a new school or school year.” 

During the service all the congregation were invited to bring their bags up to the front and place them by or on the altar to be blessed. “We had backpacks, book bags, work bags, Girl Guide bags, PE bags, lunch boxes and all sorts” said Mike.  A number of adults bought their work bags and handbags up to the front as well, and one person from Hampton brought their bag from their daughter’s wedding day, ahead of celebrating their 25th anniversary! “The Hampton team also brought up their Home Communion bag, which I felt was a really special thing” added Mike.

The service included a specific blessing for teachers, teaching assistants and governors as well as parents, carers and grandparents. Prayers were also said for those looking forward to the new school year as well as those who were not. “I felt it was really important we included everybody in our prayers,” shared Mike, “recognising that for some this time of year is really exciting, which is amazing, but for others it can be really difficult and scary.”

LLM Helen Black shared an interactive sermon at Hampton, having children find different items in her backpack and explaining what they meant. Meanwhile, at Evesham Rev. Prajna Lad shared a profound reflection on power and bullying.

Twelve children took part in total, including nine who had not come to either church before, and the services received lots of very positive feedback from people of all ages. “One family said to me after they have lived in the parish for the last two years, and had just been waiting for an invite or opportunity to bring their children along to church,” said Mike, “both churches have kept faithful connections with their schools and run midweek toddler groups; it was great to get the chance to offer a special invite to a special Sunday”

Everybody who brought a bag received a little key ring with a model of Jesus saying ‘Jesus Loves You,’ in order to remember we are not only loved by Jesus, but we carry his love wherever we go.

“We hope, like in other churches in the Diocese, to make this an annual tradition going forward but also to continue creatively building on the relationships we have with our schools and local families.”