Dear Ones,
Today was the first day of school in Alameda. Once again I took pictures of my two teens before they left and then sent them off.
I have to admit I always feel a bit envious of this season when the children and youth in our lives get to ask lots of questions and embark on new learning experiences. But the truth is we are all lifelong learners! We can all enter this fall season asking new questions and embarking on new learning adventures.
And so this Sunday we will bless all of our learning journeys. Along with our annual Blessing of the Backpacks of students and teachers, we will also have a Blessing of the Bookmarks.
As part of our Living the Questions theme, each of you will receive a bookmark that is packed full of online resource links that you can explore to deepen the values you hold as a progressive person of faith as we move into this fall season.
I have included resources for exploring Progressive Christianity and understanding and responding to Christian Nationalism, as well as resources on ways we can address book banning and create more LGBTQ+ inclusive schools in our community.
If you will not be at church on Sunday or if you would like to begin your learning journey you can access the bookmark resources here.
I am looking forward to exploring the truth that deepening our faith journey has more to do with asking the questions than receiving all the answers.
Those of you who are students and teachers, please be sure to bring your backpacks and bags this Sunday.
Many Blessings,
Rev. Laura
