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Church event throws spotlight on education

23 January 2006

The stage is set for a national day of prayer and celebration for all those involved in the world of education, taking place on Sunday 12th February. Education Sunday has been marked each year for well over a century, and this year, organisers from across the Christian groups in England and Wales are hoping for the best ever response from local churches and schools.

The theme chosen by the Ecumenical Steering Group planning the initiative this year focuses on St Paul’s encouragement "to strive for prizes that will last". Today’s educational climate can sometimes appear to be focused on generating short-term success, better league table results or improved examination grades – in short, aiming to ‘be the best’. The resources collected together for Education Sunday aim to offer a different perspective, reflecting on the idea that education is about becoming fit; spiritually, mentally and physically.

The Church of England’s National Society – the body which began mass education in this country, and today exists to inform and encourage Church schools and to promote Christian education – has always been a leading light in the co-ordination of Education Sunday, which, it is estimated, is observed in some way by almost every parish and church school in the country. Cathedrals, too, are traditionally strong supporters of the initiative – Exeter, Truro, Coventry and Salisbury are just some of those which host large-scale events with local school and college staff and students involved. At this year’s event at Canterbury, the Bishop of Dover will give a talk on a sporting theme before a team of students pass an Olympic-style torch around the nave.

Free resources to help churches plan services or other events on or around the date have already been sent to many churches, schools, colleges and universities. They include prayers, songs and other material that organisers hope will be used to plan creative ways of celebrating the occasion. Other ideas suggested include creating an Education Sunday wall-hanging depicting aspects of school life, holding a fair of traditional and modern school playground games, or inviting older members of the community to contribute to a book or CD of school memories.

Graham Russell, Education Secretary of the Methodist Church and Chair of the ecumenical steering group, concludes: "Sometimes education seems like a sporting event, with new targets to aim for, new rules, and new trophies to claim. But we believe that education is about becoming spiritually, physically and mentally fit, developing healthy attitudes to others and to ourselves. Education Sunday is a fantastic opportunity to engage in that discussion and to celebrate all that is good in education”.