It’s the most wonderful time of year for a great many parents who are eager to return their children to the regular routine of the school year. It is a joyous if stressful time for teachers and others as they prepare to receive students. I am excited for the fall of confirmation and Bible study. Humans by our nature are eager to learn and experience new things. The wise teacher of the book of Proverbs teaches that training a child in the right way keeps them on the right path throughout their lives. We as a community of faith are all responsible for practicing and teaching the newest members of our community what it means to live and act as Christians in this world. As I think back to my own experience in the church growing up, much of what I learned about living the Christian life came from the witness and practice of the church’s members. A considerable amount of learning outside Sunday School or confirmation class. As I recall my own education, I learned about the world through the eyes of church mission and adventure trips. I learned what Christian caring was through singing as a congregation in the nursing homes and bringing treats to those who were lonely in their homes. I learned about Christian compassion through serving meals to others. I learned about the Protestant work ethic by cleaning up after those meals. I learned and developed a passion for working with kids through helping and teaching other kids during Vacation Bible School and Sunday School. Now, I do have a lovely collection of books and recall many a classroom lectures from my days in seminary, and I had no shortage of good Sunday school teachers. Yet, I was largely taught about faithful living by my parents and through every member of the congregation I have been blessed to experience. As Christians centered in the love and teaching of Jesus Christ, we are as a community both student and teacher of faith through our expression of the faith. I pray that we all consider the great responsibility and opportunity that we have in this time as school begins. May the Lord Jesus Christ be with all students and teacher in this community. Pr. Erik