Children - from those starting pre-school to those continuing at college - teachers and school staff came to the front as a worshipping community and joined in with a blessing for them to take into the new year.
31 children and 9 adults - along with 26 backpacks - received a 'back to school' blessing during a service at St John's Church, Waterbeach in September last year.
The children and young people made keyrings to go on their bags - to remind them to be strong and courageous because God is with them.
A backpack blessing service can offer encouragement to those who are excited to return to school and a comfort to those who may be anxious at what the new academic year may hold.
If you're planning a backpack blessing service - invite your local community, not just your congregation!
Encourage adults to bring their bags or briefcases as well as children and young people. If some people forget their bags, you can still invite them for the blessing. You could create prayer tags or cards to give to people, or get the children, young people - and even adults - to colour in their own!
The Rev'd Sarah Newns, Curate at St John's Waterbeach, All Saints' Landbeach and Ely Cathedral, shares (below) the liturgy she has previously used during her backpack blessing services. There are other liturgies and ideas available online, just type "Blessing of the Backpacks" into your search engine.
The Blessing of the Backpacks
Creator God, we give you thanks for the new start which September brings.
We thank you for schools, colleges and universities, and all who learn, teach and serve in them.
Lord of life and love:
Be with us in our learning and serving
We thank you for places of work, for colleagues and clients, challenges and tasks.
We thank you for the opportunity to learn and grow at every stage; for the gift of making mistakes and trying again.
Lord of life and love:
Be with us in our stumbling and our soaring
We bring before you these bags, which through the year to come will carry the tools of learning and working.
We bring to you those days when these bags feel heavy and difficult, and those days when they feel light and easy.
Lord of life and love:
May we be blessed and be a blessing
Lord we ask you to bless these bags, all that they will contain, and your children of all ages who carry them.
Lord of life and love:
Send us to be you hands feet and hearts in our schools, colleges, universities and work places.
Amen