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Happy Back to School!
Some of our students and teachers are already back in the classroom this week while others will start back this coming Monday or Tuesday. School is such a shared part of our community that we all feel a bit of “getting back into the swing of things” this time of year. I always reflect on Ecclesiastes 3 during this season:
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens:
A time to be born and a time to get up too early for class,
A time to plant and a time for recess,
A time to study and a time to rest,
A time to learn math and a time to throw a math book…
Maybe I need to do some more work on my translation!
There is a time for everything, including our own spiritual formation! I know it is hard to find time for this, especially during the chaotic energy of school restarting. Here are a few ways to make that easier.
For our families, we have access to the “Parent Cue” app through Orange (our children and youth Sunday School curriculum). The free version includes conversation starters, scripture readings, and family prayer suggestions. Reach out to Pastor Chesna if you need help downloading it.
For all of us, the daily office of prayer can be super helpful. The daily office includes scripture and prayers to be read at different times of the day. While praying through the full office daily, is good and worthwhile, I know I can’t always handle that many stops and interruptions throughout the day. I find the daily office helpful for having scripture and prayer available for the time of I day I can stop for it. Somedays, I contemplate during the morning or at lunch. On other days, I only make it for compline before bed. One of my favorite daily office resources can be found here at the Northumbria Community.
Whatever you do to settle back into the routine of this new season, I pray you find moments of holy connection and rest.
I’ll see you in church!
Rev. Chesna Riley
Minister to Children, Youth, and Families
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