Back to school

Back to School

It has been a long time since I posted anything! The summer seemed to be a whirl of visiting family and friends and trying to keep on top of a very productive organic allotment - jam, chutney, freezing etc.

Since then I have been drowning under a pile of emails and requests to put dates in the diary. My son, Joel has also started high school which has involved lots of journeys to and fro and quite a bit of parental anxiety (Joel has got on just fine). So when Ken Sehested kindly circulated a litany for labor day (which is celebrated in the US and Canada) it seemed a good moment to pause and do some thinking, which naturally led to writing, which ended up with this reflection/Eucharist for September and going back to school. It'll be a while before I can get this on Dancing Scarecrow so I've copied it here.

Back to School Reflection/Eucharist

There’s a decided nip in the air

As the sun increasingly struggles

to get out of bed as dawn breaks

And the cooler nights begin to draw in

Balmy days of summer give way

To sudden downpours or endless drizzle

And the traffic on the old road

Crawls dejectedly towards its destination

As the rain leaves puddles in the ditch by the kerb

The sun breaks through with sudden brightness

As we ponder whether to take a coat

And umbrella just in case

The mobile phone alarm rings out its annoying tune

and John Humphrys reports yet another disaster

as we drag ourselves, bleary eyed from sleep

and stagger to the kitchen for much needed coffee

For in the cycle of the seasons

September is here

A time to think about

Work, rest and play.

Yet this is the time of new starts

And getting back to the familiar routine

The pattern of working 9 – 5 days

or irregular pre-determined shifts

This is the time to learn to tie a school tie

To pull on new, shop–starched uniform

Blow dry freshly showered hair

And search for that illusive PE kit

As we race against the ticking of the clock

We grab a quick bowl of cereal or slice of toast

Stuff books and pencil cases into school bags

And panic over packed lunches still to make

Scrunched up letters to be signed,

Lanyards with photo cards to be topped up,

Work papers to read and pack with lap top

Must remember to charge the mobile phone.

For in the cycle of the seasons

September is here

A time to think about

Work, rest and play.

And yet in the excitement of starting a new school or job

or of meeting old friends and colleagues

back at school or office or construction yard

and sharing stories of summer exploits

Help us to stop in the chaos of the morning rush

And give thanks for the work that gives rhythm to our days

Work and school that give a sense of purpose and meaning

Of achievement and well-being.

Help us to pause in the midst of the excitement and stress

And give thanks for work that sustains our lives and communities

And school that gives us knowledge and skills

And the promise of a career to come.

Help us to rest at the end of each day

To give thanks for tasks completed

the new things we have learned and accomplished

the challenges we have overcome

For in the cycle of the seasons

September is here

A time to think about

Work, rest and play.

And we give you thanks for your work

Of creating our world and the cycle of the seasons

For the abundance of veg on the allotment

And the squirrels hording chestnuts in the park.

And we give you thanks for your work

Of creating humankind and our diverse community

For the people around us in whose faces

We catch a glimpse of your myriad of feelings for us.

And we look around us and realise

that not everyone is rushing to get to school or work

and we remember those who have no work

or nothing to get out of bed for

And we look around us and realise

That others are overworked trying to provide for their family

or struggling with disabilities that make travel difficult

or learning and uphill task

For in the cycle of the seasons

September is here

A time to think about

Work, rest and play.

For we think of the person of Jesus

Who balanced itinerant work and the demands of crowds

With withdrawing to quiet places to rest

And time to enjoy eating and laughing with friends

For we think of the person of Jesus

Who challenges us to think about the work we do

To pay a fair wage and treat colleagues with dignity

To live sustainably on the earth

For we think about Jesus’ stories of the righting of injustice

Of the relationship between land owners and labourers

The need for acceptance of tax collectors and prostitutes

And the inequality between rich and poor

And we confess that we are part of a system

That perpetuates injustice and supports the bully

That encourages work at the expense of family life

And prefers burn-out to longevity.

And so we remember that on the night

before Jesus’ work was brought abruptly to an end

he took the bread made by human toil and human hands

gave thanks, broke it and shared it with them

[break and share bread]

And so we remember that on the night

Before Jesus’ work was brought abruptly to an end

He took the wine of celebration and community

Gave thanks, poured it and shared it with them

[break and share wine]

And so we commit ourselves

As the new school year of September unfolds

To use our work or rest or play

Labours paid and unpaid

To work for the common good

To ensure that all may find work

That pays a fair wage and brings fulfilment

And enables us to live in harmony with the earth

And so we commit ourselves

As the new school year of September unfolds

To use our work or rest or play

Labours paid and unpaid

To balance our work, school and home life

To enjoy time with families and friends

To take the rest to which your Sabbath calls us

To walk in the rhythm of your Shalom

For in the cycle of the seasons

September is here

A time to think about

Work, rest and play.

© Clare McBeath, 2010