Grace Episcopal Mission of Clayton, NC

September Pastor's Message

“To Be Filled With Hope”

I looked out at the expectant faces of the children and youth of our community as they waited that Sunday afternoon in the park for their book bags and lives to be blessed for the coming school year and I saw hope.

It is that time of year again for children and youth it’s oh no not already and for parents it’s thank goodness its finally here. The new academic year has begun for children, youth and young adults with high hopes for superior grades and great adventures. Some new clothes have been secured on our tax-free weekend with the hope that the look is right. Stories of summer experiences will hopefully be exciting, but not too boastful. And maybe, just maybe, parents and teachers will finally recognize the personal greatness within each and every daughter and son, each and every student.

September and the beginning of another school year still holds hope and expectancy for students. And why not? There seems to be a natural rhythm connected to the changing of seasons and educational activities which effect just about every household as the long days of summer come to an end. In a world of seemingly endless struggle and strife, there remains a refreshing anticipation about the beginning of school. Certainly there will be many challenges for students in both academic and co-curricula activities, there will be some failures and some successes, and there will always be those special friends to share these adventures and ordeals with. (Are the batteries on their cell phones charged up?)

Being hopeful is one of those wonderful gifts of youth, and yet it is very fragile. Some older adults have learned to be pessimistic about their lives in return for what seems to be a more durable response to possible failures or disappointments. Most adolescents and young adults have not learned this kind of response, so we may want to take care not to discourage youthful optimism. One has to be strong to maintain hope in their personal lives and in the lives of others especially in times of terror and economic down sizing; and in many respects maintaining hope is also a challenge for the four basic institutions of family, religion, education and politics.

We should share and encourage the hopeful experience of students as this school year begins. Our young scholars and athletes, musicians and class leaders, exchange students, and churchgoers deserve this. We may also want to pay serious attention to reinforcing hope past the month of August, through the long winter and into the spring of the current school year. Not because it is the optimistic Pollyanna thing to do but because that is what our faith tells us is the view of the world God give us in love. For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son so that all that believe in him shall live. After all, enduring hope grounded in faith is vital to every aspect of school and every other worthy endeavor in our lives for those young or old.

Barbara Platt-Hendren+

Grace Episcopal Mission

Clayton, North Carolina

September Pastor's Message