Churches focus on ‘a more excellent way’
-21/01/05
Churches are to celebrate schools,
Churches focus on ‘a more excellent way’
-21/01/05
Churches are to celebrate schools, colleges, teachers and students this weekend, as part of Education Sunday.
The chosen theme is “A More Excellent Way”, chosen to allow the churches to address some of the underlying assumptions that have led to this situation often quoted stories about high stress levels induced in teachers and pupils alike by their current experiences of the education system.
Their message, say churches, points to the way Jesus challenged attitudes to ambition, success and power, which if taken seriously will help lead to rediscovering the joy of both learning and teaching.
Graham Russell, Chair of the ecumenical Education Sunday Steering Group, said; “Schools, colleges and universities are under constant pressure to improve their performance and fulfil new requirements. This approach to education can encourage unhealthy competition between institutions and undermines our responsibility to help individuals achieve their full potential. Is it any wonder that the joys of learning and teaching are so often overshadowed by high levels of stress?”
For well over a hundred years there has been an annual recognition in England and Wales of Education Sunday as a ‘special’ Sunday – a national and ecumenical day of prayer and celebration for everyone in the world of education. An ecumenical group has prepared resources for those planning worship for Education Sunday and copies have been sent to many schools and congregations. They are also available on many church and ecumenical websites.
“The aim of Education Sunday is to encourage congregations to think about schools and colleges,” says Graham Russell.
“Many churches have links with local schools, but there are wider issues we also need to consider. And we want to offer our prayers and support for all those in the education sector: students, teachers, chaplains, administrators, policy-makers and many more.”
Churches focus on ‘a more excellent way’
-21/01/05
Churches are to celebrate schools, colleges, teachers and students this weekend, as part of Education Sunday.
The chosen theme is “A More Excellent Way”, chosen to allow the churches to address some of the underlying assumptions that have led to this situation often quoted stories about high stress levels induced in teachers and pupils alike by their current experiences of the education system.
Their message, say churches, points to the way Jesus challenged attitudes to ambition, success and power, which if taken seriously will help lead to rediscovering the joy of both learning and teaching.
Graham Russell, Chair of the ecumenical Education Sunday Steering Group, said; “Schools, colleges and universities are under constant pressure to improve their performance and fulfil new requirements. This approach to education can encourage unhealthy competition between institutions and undermines our responsibility to help individuals achieve their full potential. Is it any wonder that the joys of learning and teaching are so often overshadowed by high levels of stress?”
For well over a hundred years there has been an annual recognition in England and Wales of Education Sunday as a ‘special’ Sunday – a national and ecumenical day of prayer and celebration for everyone in the world of education. An ecumenical group has prepared resources for those planning worship for Education Sunday and copies have been sent to many schools and congregations. They are also available on many church and ecumenical websites.
“The aim of Education Sunday is to encourage congregations to think about schools and colleges,” says Graham Russell.
“Many churches have links with local schools, but there are wider issues we also need to consider. And we want to offer our prayers and support for all those in the education sector: students, teachers, chaplains, administrators, policy-makers and many more.”