Blessing of Backpacks and Briefcases

This past weekend, we tried our first-ever 'Blessing of the Backpacks and Briefcases' to celebrate Labor Day and Back-to-School. We invited everyone, even retirees, to bring a symbol of their vocation, work, or study, to help celebrate and prepare for the year ahead. And after the worship, we had an ice cream social, because that's how we roll around here.

The introduction and prayer we used is as follows:

Introduction

Friends, God has called all of us as God's own children, and each of us, whether child or adult, one who studies, or works, or is retired, has a purpose and place in this world to which God has called us.  God calls some of us to work in physical labor, and others of us to work in offices, and yet others of us to work in situations of danger.  God calls us to be teachers and students, paramedics and nurses, builders and landscapers, social workers and musicians, to every vocation we might possibly know, and even to ones we’ve never known before.

I invite you at this time to bring the symbols of your vocation forward if you desire, or, if you prefer, remain seated and simply place these symbols in front of you in your lap. If you didn't bring something but would still like to participate, you may wish to lift or your hands in front of you with your palms open.

Let us pray.

God, you have given us minds to think and to learn, and gifts and talents and skills to use in order to provide for ourselves a living in this world.  

God, for those of us who study, we thank you for the opportunity to go to school and for teachers and staff who care about us.  We ask for your presence with us, especially when we struggle with new lessons, or face difficult situations with our classmates.  We ask that you will give us courage to ask questions, to speak up for ourselves or others who may be faced with teasing or bullying, and that as we travel to and from school, play on the playground, or walk the hallways, that we may do so in safety.  God, help us to hear your calling in our lives, to particular fields in which we might be most useful and also find meaningful, and help us to know that you will continue to guide us as we seek to follow you.

God, for those of us who work, who are looking for work, or those of us retired from our labors, we ask that you are present with us also.  Remind us that in all places and with all people we are bearers of your love.  Help us to be patient, to be courageous, to accept new challenges, to apply new skills, to never stop learning in the vocation to which we are called.  Help us listen constantly for new directions in which we may be called, until the day you finally call us home.

Lord, lend your blessing to us, now on this Labor Day Weekend, and always.  Amen.

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I would also enjoy using the above setting while allowing a few moments for anyone who wished to speak to share a little about the symbols they have brought. This is especially meaningful to hear from retirees and those who have had to end their vocations earlier than they may have chosen due to a variety of circumstances. Another option may be to ask who might wish to share where they have heard God calling them into a vocation, either in the past, or now being called forward into the future.