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St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Troy hosted a Drive-by Blessing of the Backpacks on Sunday, August 23. The drive-by backpack blessing was held the day before the Troy City and Pike County schools began their 2020-2021 school year.

Dan Dawson of St. Mark’s said a prayer for Young Persons in the Episcopal Book of Common Prayer refers to children “growing up in an unsteady and confusing world.”

“In many ways, it seems that this prayer might have been written in 2020 rather than many years ago,” Dawson said.

Each year, as students are returning to their respective schools, they are invited to bring their backpacks to St. Mark’s Episcopal Church for a blessing. 

“This year, students from St. Mark’s and their friends accepted the invitation and came to the church for a drive-by backpack blessing and a gift bag of getting-ready-for-school goodies,” Dawson said. “A prayer for the Care of Children calls for teachers, parents and other caregivers to teach them to love whatever is just and true and good. Good reminders for us all.”

An additional blessing at the Blessing of the Backpacks this year was he blessing of seeing classmates and friends.

“The students may not have seen each other in many months, while practicing social distancing. An outdoor gathering and mask wearing helped to keep everyone as safe as possible,” Dawson said.