Train children in the way they should go; when they grow old, they won’t depart from it. - Proverbs 22-6

Rebekah and I both agree that “Rally Day” is always one of our favorite Sundays in the year. Of course we’re enthusiastic just about all of the time, but there is something particularly invigorating about the community coming back together after Labor Day, and the sense of renewed commitment to education for all ages.

I am personally excited to be guest teaching the “Finding Your Faith” class during the fall. This is where many of our parents with school-aged children attend and I am looking forward to learning from their perspective.

During worship Rebekah and Andrea (HMPC’s director for children and youth) gathered the children around the communion table for a “blessing of the backpacks.” This was a powerful moment, especially in reaffirming the consequential connection between learning and faith in Christian community.

The energy present during Rally Day worship was inspirational. And, as the sermon focused on our essential reason for being as a congregation, we all felt the gravity of the moment and the importance of education for all ages during this season in our history - both as a church and as Americans.

There is no substitute for church when it comes to promoting and undergirding the importance of community, and of learning, and of mutual forbearance. Because forbearance - which means our ability to live together in peace despite our differences - is almost impossible to cultivate in society outside the work of the church.

Simply put, this nation needs the church, now more than ever - Derek