Children and Families Minister Commissioned During Backpack Blessing Service

St. John the Evangelist parish in Edmonton welcomed a new member of staff during the Blessing of the Backpacks service on Sunday, September 3. The congregation joined in commissioning Abigail Curle as Children and Families Minister, with a large group of parishioners coming to the front of the church to pray for her and the work she will do. The commissioning was a special way to begin her ministry.

"Being commissioned during the service on Sunday was a powerful experience,” Curle says. “I felt supported and welcomed by the church family into this new role and am so thankful for all of the encouragement I received. As the congregation prayed for me, I was reminded that God will equip me for the work He is calling me to as I trust in Him and I experienced a deep sense of peace.”

Curle is employed as a substitute teacher with Edmonton Public Schools and will work part-time in the role at St. John’s, coordinating Kid’s Word, the children’s program, and supporting families through fellowship and prayer.

"I am grateful for the opportunity to come alongside families in teaching the children of this parish about God and His word,” she says. “And I am very much looking forward to seeing how God will use children’s ministry to reveal His love to each child and parent in powerful and personal ways. I am full of hopeful expectations for the ways that God will draw children and families together in community and towards Himself in love through this work, by His power and grace.”

St. John the Evangelist rector, the Ven. Richard King, says on top of the wealth of experience she brings to the role, Curle’s personal drive and enthusiasm are infectious, and St. John’s is “delighted” to have her on board.

“She brings a desire to see children and their families grow in their love of God,” he says. “She is committed to teaching the Word of God in a way that children and their families can apply to their own lives in a way that leads to discipleship growth. We are blessed to have her with us.”

Immediately after being commissioned, Curle was “put to work” in the service praying for students, teachers and families as part of the backpack blessing. Following is an excerpt from the prayer Abby prayed for students:

For students Lord, may these backpacks and the children and youth who carry them be abundantly blessed as they begin this new school year. I pray that Your true peace, the peace that passes all understanding, would fill their hearts and minds in every situation. I pray that You would grant them focus, energy, strength, and wonder as they learn about the world You created. In Your name, protect them from discouragement and fear. Please grant them understanding and growth their wisdom as they learn in and out of the classroom. Provide good friends for every one of these children and youth; friends who will encourage them and help them draw closer to You, Lord. Guide them in showing kindness and friendship to others in their classes and may they experience the joy of community in their schools. Help them to hear Your guiding voice as they make decisions so that their choices and actions reflect Your loving heart. 0 gracious Lord, may they feel Your life-giving presence in every moment. Help them to turn their eyes towards You in their classrooms, on the school bus, on the playground, and at home. May these backpacks be a reminder of Your love, provision, and care for each one of them. Amen.