Holy Trinity Riverbend Church Celebrates Blessing of Backpacks

Malala Yousafzai, the youngest Nobel Prize laureate in history, and a recognized advocate for girls’ education, once stated: “one child, one teacher, one book, and one pen can change the world.”

This quote certainly resonated with me as Holy Trinity Riverbend held its Blessing of Backpacks during our Season of Creation service on September 1. Once again, through the generosity of our parishioners, we were able to donate a large number of backpacks and school supplies, including pens, pencils, crayons, paper, pencil cases, binders, art supplies and other needed items to a deserving school. This year, Norwood Elementary School, located in the inner city, was chosen to receive our gifts. A special 'thank you' for suggesting Norwood goes out to our HTR parishioners, Brian and Carol Graham, whose granddaughter, Hannah, works at the school.

During our service, we also blessed the backpacks of our parish children who are starting a new school year. With education critical to bettering our society and the communities in which we live and work, I am reminded of the old Chinese proverb which says: “If you are planning for a year, sow rice; if you are planning for a decade, plant trees; if you are planning for a lifetime, educate people.” Submitted by the Rev. Rebecca Harris, Interim Deacon in Charge, Holy Trinity Riverbend, Edmonton