Education Sunday Liturgical Resources (5 February 2017) Introductory Notes 1. These resources have been compiled by Deb Avery on behalf of the Education Committee and are to be used in ways that are appropriate to each parish. Please use whatever material is helpful and feel free to adapt them for your context. 2. These resources comprise the following: I. A letter from Archbishop Thabo Makgoba about the special focus of Education Sunday this year. II. The outline for a service for use with An Anglican Prayer Book 1989 (Various options are given for the Prayers) III. Various other resources. i. From Archbishop Thabo Makgoba: 16 January 2017 Call to focus on universities on Education Sunday, February 5 To the Laos - To the People of God - January 2017 Dear People of God, On January 6th, we celebrated the Feast of the Epiphany, reminding us of the manifestation of God to all. For our context today, I want to paraphrase this by expressing it in terms of the liberation, the enlightening, the empowering and the making able of all God s children in order to engage with God in his world and with one another so that none is dominated nor demeaned. Education embodies this vision. Hence, in keeping with our ACSA missional priority of nurture of the young this Ad Laos is dedicated to education. Our Anglican Board of Education (ABESA), the Anglican Students' Federation, the Synod of Bishops and other organisations within our Church have been consulting in recent months on how we can engage with the crisis on our campuses in South Africa and beyond. The South African Council of Churches has also been taking initiatives and a number of our bishops have been responding to developments on campuses in their dioceses, among them the bishops of Pretoria, Johannesburg, Grahamstown, Port Elizabeth and the Free State. Good education is, as I have said before, at the heart of our capacity to realise our Provincial Vision, Anglicans Act. Although the South African matric pass rate has improved, the quality of our schoolleavers' education still needs a lot of improvement. And it is critical both for fulfilment in the lives of young people, and for the health of our society, that the burgeoning growth in tertiary education is well managed, sustainably financed, and kept at the highest possible level of educational quality. As in the 1976 generation, young people today are bypassing their parents and demanding to be treated as adults who can negotiate their own educational destinies. Meanwhile the Government triggered their anger last year by sidelining its own commission on higher education, and announcing a fee increase for 2017 unilaterally. No wonder young people feel abused, marginalised and degraded. 1
At the same time, many young people speak of their vulnerability when it feels as if their parents generation families, teachers and the churches seem to have left them exposed to abuse, violence and intimidation, unheard and unaccompanied in deep waters. We need to redress that by standing with our students, listening to them and shielding them from danger. When church leaders went to pray at Parliament after a student march in Cape Town last year, there was a warm response as if somehow there was a dimension missing in the conflict something spiritual which many students knew from their upbringing, and which they miss in secular dialogue. So what can we do? We already have the first Sunday in February each year designated as Education Sunday across the Province, a time to pray for educators, learners and institutions of learning at the beginning of the school year. We want to urge this year that we observe this day, SUNDAY 5 FEBRUARY 2017 with special events not only at churches but ecumenically at schools and where possible on campuses where we have access through Anglican students, administrators or chaplaincy ministry. This is a time to listen and to be close to people not only in the tertiary sector but as the crisis extends, as it will, to high schools and across society. Our presence, our prayers and where appropriate, our parenting are needed, alongside our prophecy where the powerful have also been absent and unapproachable, or simply overwhelmed. We all know how disabled our education systems have been, especially in South Africa but also through the colonial histories of other countries which make up the subcontinent which ACSA seeks to serve. Building healthy education systems in all our nations is a critical priority to which ACSA has long been devoted. As we do so, there are people full of passion and potential for whom we have to care. Please observe Education Sunday with special intent for universities and colleges in the tertiary education sector this year! God bless you Thabo Cape Town ii. Outline for a Service Opening Sentence suggestions For all those working in schools: may they be an example of Christ s love and create a welcoming home for all students, especially anyone joining the school this year. God in your mercy. Hear our prayer. For all learners and students: may they grow in their love and understanding of learning, and learn to nurture all the talents God has given them to the best of their ability. God in your mercy. Hear our prayer. For all parents and families: may the Holy Spirit guide them as they continue in their important task of nurturing a love of Christ in their children. God in your mercy. Hear our prayer. 2
OR Loving God, source of all knowledge and wisdom We welcome you here Jesus, the teacher who calls disciples to follow him We welcome you here Spirit, bringer of understanding and insight We welcome you here Holy God, who created a world intricate in detail and rich in potential, help us to establish your reign in every area of our lives, that we may glorify you in our educational institutions, in our neighbourhoods and in our families through Jesus Christ our Lord Amen. (Adapted from www.cte.org.uk) Confession We have not given sufficient support to those involved in education: Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. We have failed to make sure that every young person has access to quality and effective education: Christ, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. We have allowed inequalities in our education systems to continue without taking action: Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Collect Lord God, your Son Jesus Christ sat at the feet of others to learn, and sat on the mountain to teach: bless those who teach and those who learn, those who seek and those who find; so that our homes, schools and churches may be filled with a longing to lean and to grow, to serve and to give; 3
through Jesus Christ our Lord; Amen. Sermon As an introduction to the sermon, consider inviting a student involved in the #feesmustfall campaign to talk about the issues; or a learner or educator to speak about the crisis in education. Based on the lectionary readings of the day, the sermon could encourage parishioners and the parish as a whole to support education in whatever ways possible through prayer, involvement in a local school, in supporting students who are struggling, etc. Topics to pray for: Prayers Schools in South Africa Schools that are understaffed Schools that have poor infrastructure Schools that are complacent and do not share with others Our Diocesan Schools Educators/lecturers Large classes Unrealistic curricula High work loads Stress Unsafe work environments Those who have to live far from their families Tertiary Education Fairer access to tertiary education #feesmustfall movement Safety and wellbeing of students and staff in tertiary institutions Students who are unable to support themselves on the NSFAS scheme The crisis in Literacy and Numeracy in South Africa Organisations that provide support for teachers and schools A more equal sharing of resources Theological education OR PRAYERS FOR PEOPLE INVOLVED IN EDUCATION Invite teachers in pre-schools, schools, colleges and universities and in the Department of Education to stand 4
Leader: Loving God, we thank you for teachers, for their enthusiasm and hard work and for all they invest in the children and young people that they teach. Help them as they transform their places of work and their relationships through they way they teach. Invite those who work in educational institutions in other capacities to stand teaching assistants, administrators, aftercare supervisors, cleaners and so on Leader: Servant God, we thank you for the many people who enable schools to run smoothly and who provide a nurturing environment for our children. Help them to know their value and to enjoy the work that they do. Invite members of School Governing Bodies to stand Leader: Wise God, we thank you for school governors who play the role of a critical friend in the life of the school. Help them to make wise decisions, to know when to affirm and when to ask questions. Invite those involved in further and higher education to stand, both students and lecturers, and those in other roles Leader: Listening God, we thank you for all those in further and higher education, those who teach and those who learn. Help them to be salt and light in the places where they study and work, able to point people towards you through what they do and say. Invite those involved in education within the church to stand youth leaders, children s leaders, house group leaders, preachers... Leader: Gentle God, we thank you for all those in our church who nurture our faith and enable us to learn more about you. Help them to draw close to you as they study and prepare, and to be nourished themselves as they lead us. 5
Invite parents, carers and grandparents to stand all those who care for pupils Leader: Nurturing God, we thank you for those among us who nurture the next generation. Help them to love without condition, to set boundaries with wisdom and to find support and encouragement along the way. Invite pupils to stand children and young people Leader: Encouraging God, we thank you for these children and young people at nursery, school, university and college. Help them to make the most of the opportunities that they have to be diligent students, to play creatively and to know that you delight in them as they seek to follow you. Invite everyone else to stand Leader: Helping God, we thank you for the education we have received from teachers and schools, from colleges, academies and universities, from parents and friends. Help us to support those who work in education, to appreciate the important job that they do in shaping the future of our world and to remember them in our prayers. Fill us afresh with your Spirit All: And inspire us to walk in your ways. (Churches Together in England www.cte.org.uk) OR We pray for all children and young people in education, for those who are home educated and those who receive their education in schools, colleges and universities. We remember those particularly who have just moved to a new school and those who attending school, college or university for the first time. 6
We pray for all who teach, for those who hold senior responsibilities and exercise leadership, and especially for Principals and those in the Department of Education. We pray for all who contribute to the life of schools by running extra-curricular groups, those who volunteer as governors, and those who fundraise. We pray for all administrative, support and other staff in our schools, colleges and universities. We pray for our Chaplains, lay and ordained, in our schools, colleges and universities. We pray for all parents, especially for those who struggle with their responsibilities and those with few resources. Give us all your strength and courage, May we know your hope, and rely on your promise to be with us, always. Amen. (Churches Together in England www.cte.org.uk) OR L: Jesus, our firm foundation of life R: Make us firm foundations for the world. Let us pray: for all who teach, at school, college, or university, through the written word, through television, internet, or radio: for Sunday School teachers; for preachers, for parents bringing up children. God, we pray: that they may educate children, young people and adults, to become better citizens of your world, to recognise injustice, oppression and tyranny, to seek government by those who serve the interests of all. 7
L: Jesus, our firm foundation of life R: Make us firm foundations for the world. Let us pray: Let us pray: for all who teach, that they may educate children, young people and adults to become responsible members of the family of humankind, to relieve suffering by feeding the hungry, healing the sick, and working together for peace. for all who teach, that they may educate children, young people and adults to find that true knowledge which gives reason and purpose to life; to find happiness and fulfilment in loving and being loved; to be open-minded to revelations that could lead to God. L: Jesus, our firm foundation of life R: Make us firm foundations for the world. Let us pray: for all who teach, that they might do so with wisdom and patience, with honesty and humility; never afraid to learn from their own mistakes; never afraid to learn from other people; faithful to their calling to bring truth and understanding. In the name of Jesus Christ, our Teacher and Example. Amen. (http://www.irishmethodist.org/educationsunday) Peace Jesus the great teacher calls us all to share our resources and knowledge. The peace of the Lord be with you always Proper Preface (for use with any Eucharistic Prayer) And now we give you thanks because you gave us Jesus, the Great Teacher of us all, to show us the way to you. Dismissal Go out from here as followers called to teach and share God s abundant love and grace with all you meet. Let us go out with joy for God s love is never ending! (From Mennonite Church Canada - http://www.commonword.ca/filedownload/11817/equip101edsunday.pdf) 8
iii. Various other resources. Suggested songs and hymns: God's Spirit is in my heart I the Lord of sea and sky Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh on me Take my life, and let it be Will you come and follow me if I but call your name? God is working his purpose out Teach me my God and King Additional Prayers God of Life, thank you for the gifts of knowledge, understanding and wisdom. for governors and volunteers who ensure that young people get the best from their schools. Reward their selfless enthusiasm with your loving guidance. Bless all staff in our schools. From caretakers and administrators to teachers and principals, thank you for their counsel, patience and care. Thank you for our children, Guide them in the knowledge of your loving presence. Amen (https://www.canterburydiocese.org/give-thanks-for-school-governors-this-education-sunday/) Prayer for young people Teacher God, remind us this day of the many ways we have been taught by you and the way you speak to us through other teachers and leaders. Help each one of us to be one who shares in word and deed the love and grace we have received from you. Teach us to teach each other. AMEN. (From Mennonite Church Canada - http://www.commonword.ca/filedownload/11817/equip101edsunday.pdf) FOR TEACHERS AND EDUCATORS God the source of all our inspiration, help us to understand ourselves, our world and you; and grant to those who teach us and our children respect for others inventiveness and questioning, and for themselves commitment to truth. FOR EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS O Eternal God, bless all schools, colleges and universities (especially... ), that they may be lively centres for sound learning, new discovery and the pursuit of wisdom; grant that those who teach 9
and those who learn may find you to be the source of all truth. A prayer to be faithful to the callings God has given us (from 2010 Education Sunday resources - www.cte.org.uk) Creator God Like Anna who waited to greet the Christ child Show us where you are at work in the world. Like Bezalel, anointed as an artist in the temple Equip us with skills to glorify you. Like Jeremiah who heard the sound of your voice Help us to respond to your call on our lives. Like Daniel who refused to eat food that was tainted Give us courage to be faithful to you in our world. Like Lydia, a worshipper as well as a business woman Help us to put you first in our lives. Like Jesus, your son, our teacher and example Help us to worship you in all that we do. Amen. Liturgical prayers (adapted from Transforming Lives - www.transforminglives.org.uk) Almighty God, we thank you for every educator who works in our schools. Please strengthen them as they invest so much in the children and young people they teach. ALL RESPOND and inspire them to walk in your ways. Loving Shepherd, we thank you for the many people who enable our local schools to run smoothly and provide a nurturing environment for children. Please encourage them that they may be aware of the value of all they do and help them to enjoy their work. ALL RESPOND and inspire them to walk in your ways. God of all understanding and knowledge, we thank you for school governors and the role they have in the life of each school. Please guide them to make wise decisions, to know when to affirm and when to ask questions. ALL RESPOND and inspire them to walk in your ways. 10
Loving God, we thank you for every child and young person attending nurseries, primary and secondary schools, academies, colleges and any other educational institutions in our neighbourhoods. Please inspire and energise them to make the most of the opportunities that they have to be diligent students, to play creatively and to know that you delight in them as they seek to follow you. ALL RESPOND and inspire them to walk in your ways. God our Creator, we thank you for the education and encouragement we ourselves have received from teachers and others in years gone by and in the present. Please help us to support those who work in education however we can, to appreciate their important job of shaping the future and to remember them in our prayers. Fill us afresh with your Spirit ALL RESPOND and inspire them to walk in your ways. We pray these things in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour. Amen. Source of materials Churches together in England cte.org.za http://www.catholiceducation.org.uk/images/mass_booklet_2016_final.pdf Barnabas Ministries http://www.irishmethodist.org/educationsunday New Zealand Anglican Prayer Book Anglican Prayer Book ACSA Mennonite Church Canada - http://www.commonword.ca/filedownload/11817/equip101edsunday.pdf (https://www.canterburydiocese.org/give-thanks-for-school-governors-this-education-sunday/) 11