As the sun sets on summer and backpacks begin to fill with sharpened pencils, fresh notebooks, and big dreams, we pause to honor this sacred season of new beginnings.

Whether you’re sending a little one to kindergarten for the very first time, cheering on a college-bound teen, or stepping into your own classroom to continue your education, the back-to-school season can feel both exciting and a little bit daunting. It’s a moment of possibility—and sometimes of uncertainty.

At Fellowship Housing, we celebrate every child, every parent, and every learner in our community. Each new school year is a chance to grow—not just academically, but in courage, perseverance, and hope. We know that education is a powerful tool, and for the moms in our program, it’s also a symbol of their commitment to creating a brighter future for their children.

To honor this season, we share a heartfelt prayer from Youth & Family Minister Wendy Claire Barrie—a blessing over the children of our Fellowship Housing moms, and over yours as well. May these words bring peace, joy, and confidence to every student walking into a classroom this year.

Back to School Blessing Prayer
By Wendy Claire Barrie

"God of Wisdom, we give you thanks for schools and classrooms and for the teachers and students who fill them each day. We thank you for this new beginning, for new books and new ideas. We thank you for sharpened pencils, pointy crayons, and crisp blank pages waiting to be filled. We thank you for the gift of making mistakes and trying again. Help us to remember that asking the right questions is often as important as giving the right answers.

Today we give you thanks for these your children, and we ask you to bless them with curiosity, understanding, and respect. May their backpacks be a sign to them that they have everything they need to learn and grow this year in school. May they be guided by your love. Amen."

As we step into this new school year, let’s remember that learning is more than facts and figures—it’s about discovering who we are, building resilience, and nurturing hope for what’s ahead.

From our Fellowship Housing family to yours: may your days be filled with curiosity, your classrooms with kindness, and your backpacks with everything you need for the journey ahead.

Except from Backpack blessings – Wendy Claire Barrie